HAPPY SPRING – Cleaning!
Spring is a season of renewal—an ideal time to refresh your important life documents. Just as you tidy your home, reviewing and updating your end-of-life plans ensures everything is current and accessible. Here’s a quick guide:
1. REVIEW YOUR WILL
Major life changes—marriage, divorce, new family members, or loss of loved ones – can affect your will. Ensure it reflects your current wishes and beneficiaries.
2. REFRESH YOUR POWER OF ATTORNEY
Your enduring power of attorney allows someone to manage your finances if needed. Make sure your chosen person is still willing and able to take on this important role.
3. UPDATE YOUR CARE DIRECTIVES
A standard Representation Agreement is a document in which you choose a person
(called a representative) who can make decisions when needed about health care and personal care matters.
In British Columbia, advance directives are legal documents available to capable adults who want to do advance care planning. It helps ensure you receive care that aligns with your values.
Make sure that your representative is still available to act on your behalf and your care directives reflect your current wishes.
4. REASSESS FUNERAL PREFERENCES
Your wishes may change over time. MSBC members can update their funeral preferences through their online account (or by submitting an updated arrangement form to our office for safekeeping.)
5. ORGANIZE AND SHARE YOUR DOCUMENTS
Ensure your executor and loved ones know where to find your updated documents. Whether you keep digital or hardcopies, store them together in a safe place where they can be accessed.
6. START THE CONVERSATION
Discussing your plans now can reduce stress and uncertainty for your family later. Open conversations ensure your wishes are understood and respected.
Planning ahead gives peace of mind. Need help? Our All in Order Resource is a useful planning tool and collection place for all your end-of-life instructions and information. It is available for a small fee of $10 – contact our office for more information.
Article adapted with permission from the Cooperative Memorial Society, Alberta