While preplanning your cremation services in Dallas, TX. is a wonderful thing to do for your family, there are some additional things you should consider. These include documents you should have completed, organized and located in a place your family can access easily. Some of these documents may be used before your pass away while other will be what your family may need afterwards. In any case, it is good to have all papers on this list completed and ready to go if and when your family needs them.

Personal Documents

These are documents that your family may need for things like writing the obituary, getting the death certificate completed, and more. Of course this may not be all of the documents you need in this category as every individual is unique, but this will give you a good place to begin.

The documents you should have include:

  • Last Will and Testament – This document will name those who you appoint that will inherit your assets if no beneficiary is named on an accounts.
  • Marriage License / Divorce Decrees – Gather documents showing you have been married and/or divorced
  • Digital Estate Plan- This document outlines how you would like your social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. to be handled
  • Letter of Instruction – This document instructs how you would like you last wishes to be carried out such as where you would like your ashes to be scattered after your cremation.

Financial Documents

If you become incapable of handling your accounts it is important to give your family permission to do so for you. Not only that, but having all of your financial papers organized and kept together will help your family immensely when the time comes. Some of the documents you should gather are:

  • A Financial Power of Attorney (POA)- This document is imperative in assigning someone to handle your finances if you are unable to do so.
  • 401(k)- These are any papers relating to your 401(k) and retirement accounts
  • Income tax Returns- Make sure you have your past tax returns accessible for your family. Typically having the past six years is desired.
  • Vehicle Titles – Make sure to gather any and all vehicle titles you may have.
  • Stock Certificates – Gather any documents related to stocks you own or savings bonds
  • Any Deeds – These would be deeds to things such as housing, cemetery, or land
  • Loans and Payments- Documents showing any loans you have as well as payments made

Medical Documentscremation services in Dallas, TX

This last category includes any and papers that your family may need should you require hospital care. Documents to have can include:

  • HIPAA Authorization – This is to allow your private health information to be released to the parties you name. This is important because without hospitals cannot release any information even to family members.
  • An Advance Health Care Directive- This document is a combination of your Living Will and the naming of a Health Care Proxy
  • Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR)- If it is your wish that doctors do not try and resuscitate you, you will need to fill out this DNR order.

By preplanning your cremation services in Dallas, TX. as well as having all of these documents organized and easily accessible to your family members, you can be assured they will be taken care after you pass.