Helping your family when you are gone - your will, etc.

Be Ready - the BGAMUG Computer Club Presentation Roundup from last night's meeting.

Jazz Funeral, Leatherhead Crematorium, Surrey by Dr Neil Clifton

I really liked this presentation. I generally learn something from each one, but this presentation was more timely than many. Ray even played a Goodbye presentation slideshow with music that he made and said he would help any member who wants to make one for themselves, to play for their loved ones.

The main point of the presentation was to be ready - - to be prepared for your own death, so as to make it easier for  your family. Also, one member brought up, you can plan ahead so things are done as you wish. If you want a certain casket, for instance, you can pick one out ahead of time.

Last wishes - your preferred service, what you want to say to your loved ones, who you want to get what when you are gone, etc., etc. - - these are all things we seldom talk about.

Ray gave everyone there a CD with all kinds of useful forms to fill out. A will form was included, as well as a Living Will form. Ray and other members said that a form could be filled out, then it could be signed by the two required witnesses, and notarized. This form could then be checked out by a lawyer (which I will be doing).

One member mentioned a lost will - - it was not where the person said it would be, in a lock box. Another person said that a will had an Executor AND a back-up Executor, but both died before the person in the will. Both of these things made things harder for the families, I expect.

You are saving time and money, plus aggravation on the part of the families to make sure everything is done and put in a safe place, and people notified of where you are keeping this information. And no matter what age you are, putting this off can really backfire if something happens to you, and you are not ready with the forms and planning you need to do NOW.

New technology makes it much easier to leave a video/digital message for your family too, using slides and music with meaning for you.  Plus this will be a great memorial for your family to have of you. I like this idea.

Thanks, Ray. This (a new will and now a video/digital message for my family) is also on my list now. The forms you gave will really help too.

Being prepared - a Scout motto, but very apros pos. I plan to get these things done in the next couple of months.

Later!
Betsyanne
Webmaster, 2012
The BGAMUG Computer Club