Robin Czarnek

Vice President of Sales

This is the final part in my estate planning series. We have had some very positive feedback about the My Estate Planning Organizer that we have put together and made available on our website. If you haven’t already checked it out, now is a good time to do that. The link is below to access the organizer or visit our website home page, www.hermannsonslife.org 

Thinking about end-of-life decisions can be emotional and stressful for anyone. Not facing these hard decisions is even worse. 

I struggled with this section a lot as it’s a delicate topic. We don’t want to dwell on our own mortality, which is why many people never have these discussions, but it’s one of the few things in life we’re guaranteed. 

The peace of mind you can provide for your loved ones is irreplaceable and can save so much stress and uncertainty. 

Despite the uncomfortable nature of it, it’s the only way you can be assured your goodbye is on your terms. So often, families will go into debt to plan an elaborate send off, when that is the last thing their loved one wanted. 

By planning ahead, we’re able to ensure that the arrangements are just the way we want them. 

This conversation needs to include the people who are the closest to you. Some people to consider talking things over with are:

• Spouses

• Children

• Parents

• Siblings

• Pastor

• Close friends

There are so many details to consider, it’s going to take more than a single conversation to work things out. Start with the things that are most important to you. Some things to include would be:

• Location and type of service

• Public or private service

• Open casket viewing

• Organ donation

• Burial or cremation (or donating your body for science)

• For burials, the location of burial, type of casket, etc.

• For cremations, location to keep the ashes or location to scatter them

• Preferred music or a particular Bible passage or poem read

• Obituary

Writing about final arrangements had me thinking about what I would want my obituary to say. For me, I would want to know I made a difference, that I was the best I could be in every aspect of my life as a Christian, mom (and hopefully grandma one day), wife, friend and Hermann Sons Life team member. While the planning is so important, it’s the life lived that matters the most. 

Hermann Sons Life is here to help you navigate the tough decisions when it comes to estate planning. Give us a call and let us help you get the most out of life.

To view and print the "My Estate Planning Organizer" - click HERE