Are you worried about life after your parent’s passing? Learn how to prepare for a parent’s death to ensure their wishes are met and ease the process.
No one wants to think about a time when a loved one is no longer there. For many, how to prepare yourself for a parent’s death is too painful to think about yet. However, it’s important to act while there is time to talk with aging parents. Putting off dealing with emotions and other more practical details will only make things harder in the long run.
Ask Questions, Even Though It’s Hard
It’s not easy to ask a parent about their wishes, but it’s imperative to have a serious conversation. Some parents may have the forethought to tell their child, while others note their wishes in their wills or other vital documents.
Most importantly, knowing where they wish to have their final resting place is essential. Without taking the time to ask, you risk the stress of never knowing whether you put them to rest in the best possible way—an unnecessary dread that will only make coping with the grieving process harder.
Know of Final Expenses
One of the biggest shocks for people losing a parent is realizing how expensive it is. For many, a parent’s death is the first time they need to manage funerary arrangements, and it is easily a stressful ordeal. However, it’s worth noting that some parents may have had the foresight to select a final expense or whole life insurance, which will cover these costs.
Otherwise, it’s essential to set aside money before such a tragedy occurs. The average final expenses cost between $5,000 and $8,000 apiece, a hefty sum without a little saving or help. The last thing any parent wants is to leave their children in debt.
Brace for the Reality
The loss of a parent is not an easy mourning process. How to prepare yourself for a parent’s death comes down to bracing for the emotions that will arise. Understand that it’s crucial to give yourself time to recover after the immediate event. What’s more, most jobs will understand the need for space and will allow for time off.
Don’t fear asking for company if you need it either; friends and family members will also likely need company during this time and will mutually oblige. Know that holidays and birthdays are the hardest, and it may take more than one cycle of holidays to get through it without distress. Feeling sad during these times is normal, and it’s often better to try and enjoy the holidays with loved ones than to call it off and stay home alone.
