For most parents, nothing can be more fearful than the thought of leaving their loved ones behind. We all know it will happen one day, but it’s a sad reality many of us don’t want to accept. The best thing that you can do is to prepare.
Do your best to leave a legacy of love. Have peace of mind by being proactive in preparing for your eventual demise. You don’t even have to be sick to realize that the earlier you prepare for your family’s life after your death, the better things will be. Read on and we’ll share some of the best things to do.
Live Your Life to the Fullest
The best thing you can do is to live your life to the fullest, so your loved ones will remember all the good things you have done. It can be an inspiration to those you will leave behind. Aspire to bring out the best in others. Live with integrity, humility, kindness, generosity, and patience, among other positive values. These values will not only help you make the most of your time living but they can also help you become a role model.
Spend Time With the People Who Matter
Make your days count. Don’t waste an opportunity to spend time with the people you hold dear. Invest in time with your children and promote life-learning activities. Occasionally, catch up with your relatives, even amidst your busy schedules. Doing so will allow you to create core memories, so other people will always remember how you chose to live your life.
Prepare Your Family Financially
Your passing can be a financial burden to your family. If you want to leave a legacy of love, be proactive in looking for ways to minimize the expenses you will be leaving behind. One of the best ways to do this is to find means to cover the costs of a funeral, such as by having burial insurance. This way, you are relieving your loved ones from a huge financial responsibility.
Another great way to prepare your family financially is to buy life insurance. This will help in taking care of the expenses you might be leaving behind, including mortgage, hospital bills, and college education. Depending on the policy you’ll purchase, it can even be a form of investment.
Keep a Journal
It might sound simple, but keeping a journal is another great way by which you can leave a legacy of love. Share anecdotes and lessons, which can guide those who will be reading your journal. Take it as a chance to say the things you want to say, although it would be best if you can do that personally. Your journal will be a priceless memory.
Help a Charity
Another great way to leave a legacy of love is to be active in helping charities. While it can mean giving financial donations, it can also include dedicating your time and effort to promoting a cause that’s dear to your heart. This way, you will be leaving a work that will make your family proud of how you chose to spend your time when you were still alive.
Do a Life Review
A life review or life reconciliation will help you find closure and completion. It will bring a sense of gratitude and fulfillment. While it’s mostly to your benefit, it can also give peace of mind to the loved ones you’ll be leaving behind. A life review usually has five stages – expression, responsibility, forgiveness, acceptance, and gratitude. No two life reviews are the same, so have the freedom to do it as you wish.
Share Your Wishes With Your Loved Ones
While this can be one of the most difficult conversations you’ll have with your family, it’s a must. Conveying your wishes is a great way to show them how you want to be remembered. It can be as simple as wishes for your funeral arrangements. In addition, your wishes can also be what you want them to achieve in their life that you’ll be most proud of.
Leave an Estate Plan
It’s common for families to have misunderstandings when it comes to managing properties left behind by a deceased. Don’t let this ruin the relationships of people you’ll be leaving behind. It would help to create an estate plan. Nowadays, you can do it online with the right tools. Nonetheless, you can also work with a lawyer to iron out the details. Estate planning makes sure that your wealth is distributed to the intended recipients once you are gone.
Conclusion
If it’s only for yourself, then the thought of dying could be easier. However, it becomes more difficult when you think about your family, especially young children. As such, it’s best to spend time leaving a legacy of love. This will also help you leave this world with peace of mind, knowing that you had a life well lived and that your family is taken care of.
