Helping Your Family Through Your Death

It’s hard to think about your own death, but it’s even harder to think about the family members you will leave behind someday. While your East Brunswick, NJ Jewish funeral home might be able to help you place your final service plans, there are other things you can do to help your family through the tough days that will follow your death. Use this guide to get everything in order so you can have peace of mind that whenever you do pass on, things are ready, and your family will have fewer burdens.  

Collect Documents 

No matter what your age is, it is always a good idea to have a collection of important documents in one location with a close family member who has knowledge of where it all lies. Collect things like your will, birth and marriage certificates, life and health insurance policies, social security card, and any estate planning paperwork and place it in a fireproof safe or another secure location. Let someone close to you or even a couple of people know how to access the documents so when you pass on, they can get what they need quickly and easily.  

Write Obituary Or Gather Information 

If you enjoy writing, you might want to go ahead and write up an obituary on yourself, so no one has to do that later. You know yourself better than anyone else and that way, your family will know what you want included and what should be left out. If you don’t feel confident about writing the obituary yourself, gather your biographical information and sketch out the details that should be in the obituary so it’s easier to write up later.  

Keep Funeral Plans Handy 

You will want to make sure your family knows you have worked with a Jewish funeral home on plans for your final services. You will want them all to have that home’s contact information, so they can access the plans when the time comes. It’s also a good idea to give a few key family members a copy of those final wishes and plans so they have them in advance. You should also talk through the plans with close family, so no one is surprised to hear what you want in the end.  

Leave Certain Items 

Family members will be grasping for pieces of your memory when you pass away and it might be nice to leave small, particular items for each person closest to you. That might be jewelry, clothing items or statues. Whatever it is, leave detailed notes about who gets what to help your family divvy things up understanding what you want for those special items.  

If you’d like more advice on helping your family through your eventual death, an East Brunswick, NJ Jewish funeral home can help. Contact Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels with your questions or to start pre-planning your services. You can reach us at (732) 390-9199 or stop by and visit us in person at 454 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816.