Marriage is a beautiful bond that brings two people together to celebrate love, commitment, and togetherness. When a couple exchange vows, they are not just committing to a life together forever but also to be there for each other, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part,”.
While it may not be pleasant to think about, it is important for newly married couples to prepare for what happens if and when one of them dies.
Unexpected tragedies can happen to anyone, at any time. Therefore, the importance of planning for the future cannot be stressed enough. The loss of a loved one can be emotionally challenging, and it can also be financially draining. In such a situation, dealing with financial chaos and not knowing what their wishes are, can add to the already existing trauma.
Preparing for the future is especially important when one or both partners have significant assets, children from previous marriages, large debt, or any other complicated situation. It is important to consider the likelihood of losing a spouse and have plans in place, regardless of age.
One of the essential things that the newly-wed couple should consider is creating a will. A will provides guidance on how a person's assets should be divided in the event of their death. It is advisable to consult a solicitor while creating a will to ensure that all legal formalities are followed correctly.
Another consideration is having adequate life insurance coverage. Life insurance helps to provide financial assistance to the surviving spouse and children when one partner passes away. It helps to pay for the funeral expenses, mortgage, household bills, and other financial obligations.
It is also important to review retirement and investment accounts, and ensure beneficiaries have been named and updated according to the couples' wishes. Beneficiaries listed on an account supersede anything listed in a will. Failure to keep beneficiaries updated could result in assets going to someone the couple does not want them to go to.
In addition to preparing a will and having life insurance, couples should also consider creating a power of attorney. A power of attorney grants someone the authority to make decisions on behalf of the other person if they become incapacitated.
But with so many different documents scattered around, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to fill out a book outlining all your final wishes?
That’s just what I have done. I have created a practical way of helping families through this challenging time by creating a small book called “Final Wishes.” The book covers just about everything from what happens if you get sick and your final days, where all the important documents are kept, what kind of funeral or memorial you want, burial or cremation, a guide to your life story and so on. Everyone of your wishes is laid out for when the time comes.
“Final Wishes” is a unique book that will guide your loved ones through a process knowing that they are following your wishes. It even explains where your important documents can be found together with other confidential information such as passwords and banking details.
Your family and friends will find peace of mind knowing there is a plan as they follow your wishes.
Very few people know when they will die, it could be a worst-case scenario of a sudden death, maybe from the end stages of life due to illness or hopefully, just old age. This book will help your family cope with all matters from the final farewell and beyond.
While it is vital for newly married couples to plan for the worst-case scenarios, it is equally important to celebrate and enjoy the happy moments that marriage brings. Having a plan in place will provide peace of mind and ensure that the surviving spouse can concentrate on healing and taking care of themselves and their family.
As a celebrant I’ve found that preparing for the future is an act of love. Though it may be uncomfortable to think about now, creating a plan in the event of a death can bring a couple closer together. By considering essentials and using “Final Wishes”, the couple take control of the future and ensure that they have taken care of each other, even after death.
