Mini Horses
Sustainability Master
Yeah, sounds simple -- we all know this is true. But the reality of it is that we must have a plan to carry out when these events happen. When you do not have an immediate need is the time to shop and review for yourself and loved ones....been there, done that.
Consider this a reminder we need to be ready & I'll keep it light.
We all pretty much know the options when one of our animals passes on and generally know what, when, how to implement one of the options. Most often it's a burial. Now, if you have no equipment to bury, you will need to call a friend who does, or rent what's needed. The cost will be rather amazing, not pleasant, almost always unexpected. We perform as needed, mourn and move forward. For our human loved ones, things get more complicated.
Having the information needed and a plan to move forward should be discussed with your partners &/or children, as the case may be. You will be shell shocked with the charges -- obtainable from all funeral homes -- for the services they perform. Some are so outrages as to be offensive. So just let me say that you really need to make a day trip to a few locations and shop your options for planning your future needs --- not just for yourself but, elder parents for whom you will need to handle final arrangements. You can negotiate some items to lower costs. You can purchase caskets for about 20% of their offerings prices from outside sources (Yes, that 80% off their price!).
Know who to contact for any insurance processing. Have the policy information at hand. Consider making a list of who to contact for notification, friends, relatives, businesses, services, etc. Know any rules regarding income for survivors of any annuities. If the loved one passing is the recipient, know the rules governing the end of the benefit. For instance, SS will not pay the benefit (or will reclaim it) for the month in which you die. i.e. July, you live thru 10th...no check in August. you live thru 30th at 11PM, NO BENEFIT pd in August, they will reclaim it if it goes into your account.
Many of us have some or all financial in place, location in place, and information in place. If it is not the case, check into what needs to be done because you are NOT in a good position to make these decision in the speed required at such a time. If you have a gravesite KNOW if you have a vault or liner needed, and included in original purchase of site or not (most cemetaries require one, some is State law), know if the opening & closing is pre-paid, that is a bill larger than a reasonable person would expect. $2K to probe, dig & refill is way more than I expected. (I did suggest I would bring my backhoe & dig! After some strong discussion we arrived at a 50% discount).
These things are being brought to your attention as I have had to deal with each and more at the passing of my mother this week. Trust me, you need to take a week and organize the information, double check the items mentioned above, visit a couple funeral homes and discuss what you may need to include in your budget. I know better and let some portions ride, don't do that to yourself. Personally, I'm preparing information and funds for my own children to have at hand for my end....although I will be here until 105....my kids want it resolved now.
Of course, my children want to know how, where to rid themselves of all my livestock. Well there is another thing to add to your list!!
Then, my mom suffered from Altzhimers, lived with me 5 yrs, then nursing home past 15 mos. Because of her condition (Altzhimers is unreal!) she often went thru papers and "rearranged things", hid stuff, claimed it was stolen and so on. Well, I am having to go thru papers a sheet at a time as you just don't know what is where. Before this my mother was a meticulous record keeper!
Searching thru things to find a document today, I came across the original of my parents marriage certificate. So, I had always known my dad had been previously married. What I found, as I looked at these things was that not only did my mom have a relationship with a married man BUT, I was born out of wedlock.
I sit and laugh at this because my mother was somewhat of a prude when it came to such things and always had negative comments about those temptations. You can be sure that she NEVER mentioned this..... 
With that, I would suggest everyone give thought to planning. My animals are here but, I will make a plan for daughter to follow.
Heck, I suspect it will all be taken care of before I check out anyway. I will downsize & the old minis are phasing themselves out. Life goes on and those remaining after your demise need guidance so I hope you consider that. Now back to the paperwork issues.
This has been my public service message for today. 
to all.
Consider this a reminder we need to be ready & I'll keep it light.
We all pretty much know the options when one of our animals passes on and generally know what, when, how to implement one of the options. Most often it's a burial. Now, if you have no equipment to bury, you will need to call a friend who does, or rent what's needed. The cost will be rather amazing, not pleasant, almost always unexpected. We perform as needed, mourn and move forward. For our human loved ones, things get more complicated.
Having the information needed and a plan to move forward should be discussed with your partners &/or children, as the case may be. You will be shell shocked with the charges -- obtainable from all funeral homes -- for the services they perform. Some are so outrages as to be offensive. So just let me say that you really need to make a day trip to a few locations and shop your options for planning your future needs --- not just for yourself but, elder parents for whom you will need to handle final arrangements. You can negotiate some items to lower costs. You can purchase caskets for about 20% of their offerings prices from outside sources (Yes, that 80% off their price!).
Know who to contact for any insurance processing. Have the policy information at hand. Consider making a list of who to contact for notification, friends, relatives, businesses, services, etc. Know any rules regarding income for survivors of any annuities. If the loved one passing is the recipient, know the rules governing the end of the benefit. For instance, SS will not pay the benefit (or will reclaim it) for the month in which you die. i.e. July, you live thru 10th...no check in August. you live thru 30th at 11PM, NO BENEFIT pd in August, they will reclaim it if it goes into your account.
Many of us have some or all financial in place, location in place, and information in place. If it is not the case, check into what needs to be done because you are NOT in a good position to make these decision in the speed required at such a time. If you have a gravesite KNOW if you have a vault or liner needed, and included in original purchase of site or not (most cemetaries require one, some is State law), know if the opening & closing is pre-paid, that is a bill larger than a reasonable person would expect. $2K to probe, dig & refill is way more than I expected. (I did suggest I would bring my backhoe & dig! After some strong discussion we arrived at a 50% discount).
These things are being brought to your attention as I have had to deal with each and more at the passing of my mother this week. Trust me, you need to take a week and organize the information, double check the items mentioned above, visit a couple funeral homes and discuss what you may need to include in your budget. I know better and let some portions ride, don't do that to yourself. Personally, I'm preparing information and funds for my own children to have at hand for my end....although I will be here until 105....my kids want it resolved now.
Of course, my children want to know how, where to rid themselves of all my livestock. Well there is another thing to add to your list!!
Then, my mom suffered from Altzhimers, lived with me 5 yrs, then nursing home past 15 mos. Because of her condition (Altzhimers is unreal!) she often went thru papers and "rearranged things", hid stuff, claimed it was stolen and so on. Well, I am having to go thru papers a sheet at a time as you just don't know what is where. Before this my mother was a meticulous record keeper!
Searching thru things to find a document today, I came across the original of my parents marriage certificate. So, I had always known my dad had been previously married. What I found, as I looked at these things was that not only did my mom have a relationship with a married man BUT, I was born out of wedlock.
I sit and laugh at this because my mother was somewhat of a prude when it came to such things and always had negative comments about those temptations. You can be sure that she NEVER mentioned this..... With that, I would suggest everyone give thought to planning. My animals are here but, I will make a plan for daughter to follow.
Heck, I suspect it will all be taken care of before I check out anyway. I will downsize & the old minis are phasing themselves out. Life goes on and those remaining after your demise need guidance so I hope you consider that. Now back to the paperwork issues. This has been my public service message for today. to all.
