Creating Your Own Life Map: A Guide for Planning Ahead
Life is a journey, and just like any journey, it helps to have a map and a plan for your intended route. Our Pathway Planning Guide is here to help you think about and organize your end-of-life plans in a way that makes sense for you and your loved ones. Our guide exists to help you create a personalized plan and share it with your family and friends, leaving you with a sense of peace when it comes to your legacy.
The guide is divided into four main sections:
- Your Personal Information: This is all about you ~ your life story.
- Your People: A place to list important people in your life who should know about your plans.
- Your Plans: This is where you can clearly outline your wishes, ensuring there are no uncertainties.
- Your Important Information: This section helps you keep track of vital documents and personal accounts.
Section One: Your Personal Information
In this first section, you’ll gather important facts about your life. This information will be helpful when it comes time to fill out a death certificate, which is necessary for handling legal and financial matters. It’s also a good idea to include details that could be used in your obituary and eulogy.
Consider adding your education, career, military service, hobbies, and any important achievements. When someone passes away, it can be hard for family members to remember these details, especially during such a stressful time. Writing down your life story can ease this burden for them when the time comes.
Section Two: Your People
In this part, you’ll create a list of the key people in your life (those who might need to make decisions after you’re gone or those you want to acknowledge). You can jot down their names, how they’re related to you, and how to contact them. This is helpful because, during difficult times, it’s easy to forget important details or critical people to include.
You’ll also plan for any services, such as a funeral or memorial. This is your chance to think about what you want without the pressure of time. You can take your time to figure out how you want the service to be, and remember, you can always change your mind later! The guide is meant to be updated whenever you need it.
Section Three: Your Plans
Have you ever been to a service and thought, “What do I want when it comes time for me?” Planning gives you time to think about what you’d want ahead of time and gives your family clear instructions on those wishes.
Do you want a service that reflects your faith, tells your life’s story, or maybe a mix of both? We’ll help you think about whether you want to be buried or cremated, if you’d like people to say goodbye at your casket, or if you have favorite poems or music you’d like included. Consider who you’d like to speak to about your life. Being aware of your options makes the planning process smoother.
Section Four: Your Important Information
This section focuses on keeping track of important medical, legal, and financial information. It is helpful to gather crucial documents, such as your will, trust agreements, Social Security details, and legal certificates (like birth, marriage, or divorce certificates). Make a list of necessary documents, such as property deeds and insurance policies, and key contacts like your attorney and financial planner. You should also include how to access your social media and digital accounts. This might seem like a lot, but having this information organized can save time when it’s needed most.
Finally, it’s essential to ensure that someone knows where to find your plans. You might print the Pathway Planning Guide, save it on a secure device, or store it in the cloud. Just make sure that someone in your life knows how to access it.
The Pathway Planning Guide is more than just a document; it’s a thoughtful gift for your family and friends. By sharing your wishes now, you help them understand your desires and ease their burden during a difficult time. Get started today »