Before You Die

Before funerals at funeral homes in Ferrum, VA, people need to do several things to be prepared for sudden, serious illnesses and death. You don’t know when you might develop a life-threatening illness or you might unexpectedly die. 

We tend to think of those things happening to other people. A friend or an acquaintance gets terminal cancer or is killed in a tragic, unforeseen accident. But, the reality is that this can happen to you at any time. 

So, it’s important that you’re prepared beforehand, whether you are 25 years old or you are 95 years old, because you just never know what’s going to happen in your life next. 

One thing you need before you die is a medical proxy. A medical proxy is a legal document that lets you designate one or more people who can make medical decisions for you if you are not able to make them for yourself. 

Whether you are going in for a surgery where you will be under general anesthesia for a period of time or you are in an unresponsive state (stroke, dementia, or coma, for example), a medical proxy will allow the people you choose to make medical decisions about your care according to your wishes. 

Be sure that the people you choose for your medical proxy have your complete medical history, a current list of your medications (dosages and times of day you take them), and a copy of your living will. 

Speaking of living wills, this is another thing you need before you die. A living will is a legal document that gives you the ability to decide what level of medical care you want if you are dying. You can choose to have every possible medical intervention used to try to extend or save your life or you can choose to have nothing medically done to extend or save your life, with only comfort care (medications to eliminate pain and suffering) provided. 

You should have a durable power of attorney before you die. A durable power of attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint someone to manage your affairs if you can’t. This document lets the person you choose pay your bills, deposit your checks, and manage all the rest of your financial affairs (including any businesses that you have an interest in or own). 

Another thing you need before you die is a will. A will is a legal document that lets you distribute your estate after you die. You will need to appoint an executor who is responsible for making sure that your estate is distributed as you have specified. In the case of married couples, most times spouses are the executors of each other’s wills. 

However, whomever you choose to be the executor of your will should be someone who is trustworthy and who will distribute your assets and property as you want. 

Two other things that you need before you die are life insurance and burial insurance. 

The younger and healthier you are when you purchase a life insurance policy, the lower your premiums will be. Be sure to purchase a whole life policy instead of a term policy, because the premiums get locked in at the time of purchase with a whole life policy, but the premiums increase at regular intervals with term policies. Life insurance policy purchases will require a medical examination. 

Burial insurance is a separate insurance policy that will be used to pay your funeral costs. Premiums for these policies are very affordable (the maximum payout is usually $25,000) and no medical examination is required. 

For information on making funeral arrangements at funeral homes in Ferrum, VA, our compassionate and experienced staff at Conner-Bowman Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help.