Okay, this is not an easy subject nor is it a pleasant topic, but it's very necessary indeed.

Let’s skip right to the part about your last will and testament.  Everyone should have one in place, no matter how much or how little they have, or feel they have, to leave behind.

Having dealt with my share of death and decision making about the last rites of the deceased, this subject is more than close to home for me. 

It is my personal belief that funerals and wills are more for the living than the dead. Once God calls us home, our souls will go to wherever we have made preparations for them to go. This is generally based on personal religion, beliefs or lack of beliefs. I believe the mortal body is a carcass of flesh that is an earthly home to the soul.

But if a will is not planned, drawn up and executed, the damages can really add up! Question: “Why not make our wishes known to our family & friends, and leave any tangible items we choose to, whom we choose to leave them to, while we are in our right minds?” Simple enough huh?

Not quite. Such thinking can get delayed by fear, denial or lack of interest. Afterall, we don't know the day, the time and the hour for our transition time into the hereafter. It is not my intent to be rude or inject any form of sarcasm into such a sensitive topic. Just expounding on a wakeup call that should be heard by all decision making adults in their rational minds. This includes for ourselves and for those who may be in our care and need some ethical and moral assistance on this matter.

The same goes for funeral planning.  Yes, you can plan your own funeral, memorial or home going services - right down to the writing of your own obituary. Oh and let’s not leave out the repass, the get together at a home after the services and the trip to the cemetery. That alone can be a bit much, trust me.

After dealing with the death and the funeral arrangements, hosting and feeding a house full of people may be the last thing you may even dream of dealing with. And don't forget your loved ones have to clean up after the repass. You want to reduce any additional dismay and confusion for our loved ones, after we have passed on.

To get started, research affordable, experienced law offices, get advice by asking about other clients who were pleased with their services. Most Legal Aid Society’s offer an affordable will planning, writing and execution service which is generally provided on an income eligibility basis. That is the route I took and am quite pleased with my choice.

If you're with the military as a service serson or a dependent, they take care of their own. Check with your military family services for this route. The same goes for veterans with honorable discharges.

Please keep in mind; writing your own funeral may not be for everyone. Everyone and every situation is different.

But remember what I said about the repass planning.