Think of loved ones by planning for the future

Essential steps to ensuring you and your family are prepared

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Being prepared — both financially and factually — for your own death is an essential part of life. Here are five simple steps to take

1. THINK ABOUT YOUR FUNERAL

"This may seem a sombre and depressing thing to do but the first step to helping your family, and also ensuring your wishes for your funeral are followed, is to write them down," says Executive Director of Red Apple Law (www.myredapplelaw.com), Angie Wilson.

"It may be easier to start by thinking about what you don't want—maybe even write this down as this provides some guidance and reassurance to your loved ones that they won't choose something you wouldn't have wanted.

"Then think about what you would like. Flowers or donations to charity perhaps? If flowers, which type? If donations, which charity?

"What kind of service would you like? Ensure you talk through the individual parts of the ceremony with your loved ones.

"Don't forget about the music you would like played during the ceremony either.

"The most important thing is to make sure you're aware of all the choices that are available to you... and that someone knows what your choices are."

2. START SAVING NOW

"Dying is actually a fairly expensive business," says Angie. "And even the most simple of funerals can cost thousands of pounds.

"So what can you do about this? The short answer is not much but you can be aware of it and start planning now. There are a few options, from putting money into a high interest savings account, to a 'later years'-type life insurance plan or a prepaid funeral plan.