I’m writing a death book. Well, it’s actually an AFTER death book. Not a mystery novel. Not even fiction. This is a facing the inevitable book. A slice of reality with a dose of preparedness for those left behind to deal with the aftermath of my death.
Just some of the things that need to be addressed, in addition to the usual financial issues, are:
- What will happen to my pets
- How to find my passwords
- Dealing with my email account(s)
- Will anyone want my digital photos
- Should someone notify my on-line friends (social media accounts)
- What to do with my social media accounts
As a published author, I have more to document than many. Web domain registrations, hosting companies for those websites, annual memberships (that may auto-renew), books at Amazon and other book sites, and so much more.
Remember, life isn’t a rehearsal. None of us will come out of it alive.
There is no right or wrong answer and everyone is different. The best thing we can do is prepare as much detail as possible, making a difficult time a little easier for those left behind. So I’m collecting, as best as I can, in one spot this kind of information. It will be stored in our safe in a three-ring binder with a section for my pages and a section for Stu’s.
Here are some of the resources I’ve pulled from:
- Downloadable Checklists from everplans
- Your Ultimate Guide on Digital Death
- I’m Dead, Now What?: Important Information About My Belongings, Business Affairs, and Wishes
- Estate Planning Organizer: Legal Self-Help Guide
- How Tech Platforms Handle a User’s Death & What You Can Do To Prepare
- Five Things To Do When Planning For Your Digital Death
Yes, it’s time-consuming and yes, it’s frustrating at times because just when you think you are done, you remember something else that needs to be documented. But once you start, you realize how important this is, how much heartache and stress you are removing from your loved ones during an already difficult time.
So just start….
7 thoughts on “After I die…”
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Sometimes adulting is harder than other times…good adulting Donna.
Yes it is…thanks!
When my dad died a few years ago he had everything sorted in a book so all his bank details and stuff like house insurance all the people he thought should know about his death, he left details of the undertaker he wanted and who to contact. So sorting it all out was fairly easy. The only thing he hadn’t thought of was he died quietly in his sleep so the police had to break in. When they were wondering who to contact they found his photo album. And in that they found my details and were able to contact me within hours. I lived 500 miles from my dad.
The one thing I learnt was be prepared and make plans because you just can’t predict some things.
One more thing to consider…thanks, Rob.
Great idea! Lots of helpful info here!
Glad to help!
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