Advance death plans

This isn't a very pleasant subject but Joan and I took a step this week to save the survivor, or more important, our children the emotional burden of arranging our funerals, etc, a long (I hope) time from now. We purchased pre-need contracts to arrange for our cremation and the placing of the remains in a biodegradable container which can be buried or dropped into the ocean. I am convinced that this is the least traumatic way to handle a difficult time. We are both pleased with the decision.

I am also preparing a memorandum that will list those people and agencies to be called to, for example, stop pension payments from the state of Florida, stop deducting life insurance premiums. I will also list bank accounts, credit cards, etc, that can be accessed on-line, with the necessary user ID and password.

It's not fun to plan for dying -- but it's a sign of being a grown-up. It's also time to review our wills and such. If we do this correctly, our kids will be spared some anguish and isn't that what we are supposed to do?