The prospect of death is surely frightening, but it allows you to live life to the fullest and cherish every moment when you think of it in depth.
With the amount of time you have in this world, you can make the most out of it if you enjoy every single moment as your last.
No one lives forever, and thoughts of death might plague us. If you prepare a bucket list to fulfill before you ‘kick the bucket’ yourself, you will live without regrets (at least to a great extent).
Other than in the context of fun, it is also important to keep in mind that you might need to take certain steps to ensure that your children and future generations can continue living stress-free after you.
Approximately 2.5 million Americans lose their lives annually, and many leave without signing any basic documents that would have ensured the safety of their loved ones.
So we would first discuss the necessary steps you should take before death and then move on to the fun experiences you should not miss out on.
Following are a few things you must do before you kick the bucket.
- Write a will
As strange as it might sound, everyone above 18 should have a will if they possess any valuable items. A will is a statement that decides how your assets are distributed between your heirs or elsewhere after your death.
If you are wondering what does a Will look like, you can get detailed information and assistance in drafting one from your attorney.
It is not as complicated as it might seem; it’s a simple and relatively in-expensive legal document outlining issues concerning guardianship, asset division, real property decisions, instructions about your final arrangement, and naming an executor, among other things.
If you don’t wish to consult an attorney, you can draft your own will after consulting online sources.
Dying intestate (without a will) can create loads of problems for your heirs, not just in terms of asset possession but even guardianship of minor children.
Therefore, it is best to write your will as soon as possible. However, remember that you would have to review your will every one or two years to make up for any major life changes.
- Itemize your possessions, both physical and non-physical
To draft an effective will, you first need to take note of all your valuable possessions. Begin by going through your house; you can find valuable possessions like jewelry, vehicles, antiques, electronic devices, power tools, and other valuable assets.
Your non-physical assets include items that exist only on paper, like bank accounts, insurance policies, or any entitlement you are expected to get upon death.
Maintain a list of these possessions and your account numbers, and note all physical documents’ locations.
- List down your debts
You don’t want to leave behind your family burdened with unknown debts after you. Create a list of your debts, including any open credit cards, mortgages, loans, Home Equity Lines of Credit, Home Equity Loans, or other personal debt.
A Home Equity Loan is a loan based on the difference between a mortgage balance and the home’s value.
If you have collected a Home Equity Loan for any reason, remember to note down the details. With this practice, your family will know what steps to take to get out from under the burden of loans.
- Ensure protection during future medical emergencies
In most countries, the law dictates that parents cannot make healthcare decisions or decisions regarding money concerns if their children experience medical emergencies after turning 18.
So parents of a young adult who becomes disabled and unable to make decisions would need court approval to take action on behalf of their child.
You can avoid this problem by signing a healthcare proxy, or healthcare power of attorney, that authorizes anyone you name to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to.
In addition to a healthcare power of attorney, you should also sign a power of attorney that authorizes someone you trust to take over and decide your financial matters.
With most serious matters out of the way, remember to have fun!
- Create a bucket list
Making a bucket list is not just for someone about to die; not at all. With a bucket list, you get to accomplish a series of goals in the time you have.
A bucket list will keep you energized and always productive and allow you to experiment with your creativity.
It opens your eyes to experiences you truly desire, creates focus in life, and keeps you motivated.
- Reflect on yourself and see your true beauty
It is human nature to get depressed and feel down as the prospect of death nears. However, whether you are in your late sixties or early teens, to live to the fullest, you need to reflect on your true inner beauty.
As human beings, we are capable of anything that we strive for. Go to some relaxing beach, spend time in nature, and practice mindful meditation to gain insight into this potential of yours.
- Coach someone through the experience you have gained
Life teaches us many lessons, most of which we learn through personal experience. Target a specific person, hear them out, get to know the hurdles they are currently encountering, and try to help them out as best as possible through the lessons you have accumulated.
The experience you gain over the years is invaluable, and passing this on to at least one person is better than keeping it to yourself.
- Take out time to talk to your loved ones
Life is too short to waste even a single moment. Especially if the end of time is imminent, make sure you don’t leave with any regrets.
Be it your relatives, friends, or old acquaintances, make a call or invite them over.
Final Words
There is no denying that death is inevitable, and when you acknowledge the possibility, you realize just how important it is to take certain steps to make the most of your time and protect your loved ones.
Especially in your later years, the decisions you make have major implications for your future generations.
For instance, dying intestate can cause serious complications for your heirs. Therefore, write a will, note down your debts, list your assets, assign power of attorney to someone you trust, and make the most of your time.
