Getting your affairs in order?

7roland8

Not being morbid but had a card today notifying of a friends death - when I rang the husband he said he'd goe through her address book for contacts but a bit disorganised.

Got me thinking - I know all my contacts, and the addresses I just have 'in case' in my address book - but no-one else does.

Also on the clutter thread they had about how we shouldn't leave our clutter for others to sort.

The more mess we have the more people will be tempted to just skip/bin the lot!

Have tried to be organised with my stuff but doubt its enough and wondered what others have done or intend to do?

Have all my pics in albums by year and most important papers in a large metal box file - but I know our attic is horrendous and I can't really get up there any more

I try to keep clutter sorted/thrown out from downstairs. Also wondered about pre-sorting the pics into two lots for two sons as a sort of memory box thing - or should I not waste my time?

Mojisola

7roland8 wrote: »

Not being morbid but had a card today notifying of a friends death - when I rang the husband he said he'd goe through her address book for contacts but a bit disorganised.

Got me thinking - I know all my contacts, and the addresses I just have 'in case' in my address book - but no-one else does.

Also on the clutter thread they had about how we shouldn't leave our clutter for others to sort.

The more mess we have the more people will be tempted to just skip/bin the lot!

Have tried to be organised with my stuff but doubt its enough and wondered what others have done or intend to do?

Have all my pics in albums by year and most important papers in a large metal box file - but I know our attic is horrendous and I can't really get up there any more

I try to keep clutter sorted/thrown out from downstairs. Also wondered about pre-sorting the pics into two lots for two sons as a sort of memory box thing - or should I not waste my time?

That sounds a lovely idea. Make sure you write the names of the people in the photos on the back.

GEEGEE8

I would find that very touching if my mum did that for me.

Also maybe write a secret letter to put in there as well? That would be lovely..

Mojisola

I'm sure AgeUK do a document where you can fill in where all important documents are kept but I can't find the link at the moment.

It makes life much easier for those sorting out your affairs if they know that your will is kept by a certain solicitor, which insurance policies you have, that you have a funeral plan with that company, etc, etc.

Errata

Link for the Age UK Life Book http://www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/home-safety-and-security/lifebook/

De clutter, stay reasonably organised and remember the golden rule. For every item that comes in the front door, one item is got rid of!

SailorSam

You'd think they'd have that lifebook available as a Pdf download, or at least you'd be able to order it via your computer.

7roland8

Thanks - that Lifebook sounds a good idea.

Have already put names on ALL pictures - took ages to do - I have a whole shelf of albums year by yr (not any more as they are grown and its all on pc now anyway!) but wasn't sure if it was worth dividing them.

Have done the family tree online and have a few bags of files at home but they're not too important now as I've uploaded most info.

All the baby clothes/shoes and my school mementos are labelled in the attic but might be worth having other boxes down a bit at a time to get rid of excess. Hubby a great horder and sons also put stacks of stuff up there!

Have dowe odd diaries over the years but did at one time write all about my childhood etc and have that in a folder.

But I can recall sorting out aunts house when younger (about 12) with others and they just dumped most of it (all her ledgers and diaries etc) too young then to appreciate what was happening and I only have one small diary of hers now. Its just that the more there is the more temptation to just get rid of the lot.

Not done a Will yet or written funeral wishes etc - its just really all these loose ends ought to be tidied up!

7roland8

You'd think they'd have that lifebook available as a Pdf download, or at least you'd be able to order it via your computer.

Quite agree - seems odd you have to ring.

Beamish

I have thought about this recently, I think because I'm now at an age where I'm losing loved ones/friends and going to funerals more often, I must say that I find the Humanist funerals more uplifting and I am thinking along those lines for when leave this world.

I would like to write my own obituary for the local paper and would also like to write my own life story to be read at my funeral (after all no one knows me better than myself LOL) the trouble is I dont find it to hard to write about my early life but reduce myself to tears when I try and put down in writing about how I met my DH, the boys when they were young & their darling wives, my love for my grandaughters and our family etc, it would be like "This is your Life" by the time I had said everything I wanted to LOL.

My music choice changes week by week LOL.

I would also like my wake to be a rememberance to me and everyone talking about my party days, ideally a BBQ in the garden.

Oh, and the flowers have to be star gazer lilies (just the one wreath) plus a little posie from the grand kids.

So there we are thats sorted, I just have to put it all in writing.

Babs x

7roland8

Thanks for the nice comment Geegee8 - have thought along the lines of a memory jar (mentioned here somewhere) - was thinking of doing a card with a nice memory from sons' childhoods on them - or is that too corny?

Beamish - like your ideas - as you have them already you just need to have them all written somewhere.

Arthurian

http://www.housingcare.org/downloads/kbase/2049.pdf is a proforma which Age Concern used to have on their website. It's a form to print out and fill in entitled Instructions for My Next of Kin and Executors Upon My Death, and you write on it where you keep important documents, and what your wishes are for your funeral, etc. Keep it in an obvious place or give in advance to your next of kin. Not sure why Age UK swapped to having to order a Lifebook instead.