Postmortem “survival” kit: What should I do to prepare?

[LakeMungoGirl]

Hi everyone,

I'm seeking advice on the best way to prepare to die. Think of it as a preliminary postmortem "survival kit" targeted at making the transition easier both for myself and my loved ones— I want to make sure I have all my bases covered before I CTB and that all loose ends have been tied before my departure so I'll have minimal regrets, even if I won't be around to see the aftermath.

For context, I'm planning on jumping from ~700 feet.

So, what are you planning on doing before you die? Notes? Goodbye videos or voicemails to friends and family? Should I clean my room? Should I beg God for mercy? (xD) Do something grand before I go? Let me know your thoughts and plans. I would love to brainstorm as I'm probably missing something. :]

 

[Crow_88]

It's a bit silly, but I would make my peace with god. Just in case, might as well make sure all is good with what may meet you on the other side.

 

[LakeMungoGirl]

It's a bit silly, but I would make my peace with god. Just in case, might as well make sure all is good with what may meet you on the other side.

I've been considering this as well. I've been atheist most of my life but I definitely don't think it would hurt to try and make peace with whatever god(s) may possibly exist. Although I'm worried it would only come from a place of selfishness as I don't want to face consequences in the afterlife, assuming it's a real place, and therefore my prayers could be null. Doesn't hurt to try though. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Arvayn]

Have you looked into checking in with your local funeral home to make preliminary arrangements? It's easier on your loved ones if you sort out all the bureaucratic logistics yourself, and it also gives you the security of knowing exactly what will be done to your body following your death, as per your instructions.

 

[LakeMungoGirl]

Have you looked into checking in with your local funeral home to make preliminary arrangements? It's easier on your loved ones if you sort out all the bureaucratic logistics yourself, and it also gives you the security of knowing exactly what will be done to your body following your death, as per your instructions.

I haven't. That's an excellent idea though, thank you.

 

[schatzbunny]

i am writing notes/letters to people i want to give an explanation so at least they have closure on why i did what i did. i'm also planning on leaving behind a digital diary, just pictures with texts and stuff of days leading up to my passing. and cleaning and decorating my room :P idk just want it to look full of life because normally my room looks as depressed as i am and i wanna leave behind a cute room. also a handwritten journal cuz why not and i like to write. im scared of being forgotten or not remembered (or worse misunderstood).

 

[LakeMungoGirl]

i am writing notes/letters to people i want to give an explanation so at least they have closure on why i did what i did. i'm also planning on leaving behind a digital diary, just pictures with texts and stuff of days leading up to my passing. and cleaning and decorating my room :P idk just want it to look full of life because normally my room looks as depressed as i am and i wanna leave behind a cute room. also a handwritten journal cuz why not and i like to write. im scared of being forgotten or not remembered (or worse misunderstood).

Those are all great ideas! Thank you for sharing! ^^

 

[Crow_88]

I've been considering this as well. I've been atheist most of my life but I definitely don't think it would hurt to try and make peace with whatever god(s) may possibly exist. Although I'm worried it would only come from a place of selfishness as I don't want to face consequences in the afterlife, assuming it's a real place, and therefore my prayers could be null. Doesn't hurt to try though. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The effort alone is worth something, methinks.

 

[AstralMadness]

I'll just do everything I like one last time lmao workout, go for a walk, play my favorite games, play with my friends, sleep well, eat what i like the most, and that's it
don't really have anything grand to say and don't need notes. whatever I say I'll write right before doing it and send the message then and there

 

[schatzbunny]

I've been considering this as well. I've been atheist most of my life but I definitely don't think it would hurt to try and make peace with whatever god(s) may possibly exist. Although I'm worried it would only come from a place of selfishness as I don't want to face consequences in the afterlife, assuming it's a real place, and therefore my prayers could be null. Doesn't hurt to try though. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

this made me giggle bcuz i just imagine myself on my knees praying to like 5 diff gods hoping one of them got my back xd

 

[LakeMungoGirl]

this made me giggle bcuz i just imagine myself on my knees praying to like 5 diff gods hoping one of them got my back xd

LOL

Gotta cover all your bases

 

[Seneca65AD]

If you're older, be sure your will is up to date. I have been slowly preparing by getting rid of some vehicles that my wife and daughter have no use for. I've quietly given away items such as book collections that have been in storage. My excuse is that I'm getting ready to transition into retirement in a few years. Our jointly held property has right of survivor-ship. The majority of investments pass directly to the wife; she is the named beneficiary for life insurance. I have left a sealed envelope in my estate file that has passwords to accounts, etc.

At work, I am cleaning up old files so that the staff have minimal issues with the business succession. I did take a junior on so hopefully everything will continue. To be honest, I did not really consider the after-life. I'm more spiritual than religious so I hope my life's mantra of "try not be a dick" is good enough to get me in the good books of whoever is actually running the show.

Unless the financial climate turns around, I will probably CTB in the early New Year. I do not want my wife and daughter to associate the Xmas season with Dad being gone. And, with a new tax year, it makes sense to incur the tax hit early on so it makes the financial planning easier on my wife. On paper, I feel quite organized - the only regret I have is that I wish my daughter was older. But the assets that will transfer to my wife and daughter will allow them to live a life that unfortunately I may not be able to provide them by "living".

 

[xXiloveyouXx]

Write detailed notes to anyone you truly care about explaining your innermost feelings and assuring them it isn't their fault. You don't want to leave anyone you love with ambiguous guilt for the rest of their lives. I also plan on calling the person I love just before I do it to let her know I appreciate her one last time, before I throw my phone into the ocean. Maybe set up some scheduled texts to anyone you wish that will go off after you die - assuming you know that you will 100 percent CTB. Otherwise, don't risk it.

Write detailed notes to anyone you truly care about explaining your innermost feelings and assuring them it isn't their fault. You don't want to leave anyone you love with ambiguous guilt for the rest of their lives. I also plan on calling the person I love just before I do it to let her know I appreciate her one last time, before I throw my phone into the ocean. Maybe set up some scheduled texts to anyone you wish that will go off after you die - assuming you know that you will 100 percent CTB. Otherwise, don't risk it.

I'd like to add as well that you should dress in your favorite outfit because it's an occasion. You're attending a funeral: your own. Put something meaningful in your pocket before doing it if it comforts you, like a necklace, cross, special coin. Something with personal value. Maybe I'm the only one who finds comfort in that and finds it symbolically valuable. Idk

 

[WishICouldGo]

If you're older, be sure your will is up to date.

Agreed, that's what I've done too. I've also cancelled majority of my online subscriptions and I've made a list of all the bills that need to be paid (e.g. mortgage) so it wouldn't put financial burden on my loved ones. I've also made sure to have all the important documents (like house deeds, password to by bank account etc.) in one place so they can be easily found.

Apart from that, I've written notes to few people that were especially important to me and that's it.

Someone here said to make arrangements with funeral directors and that sounds like a good idea, so I may look into that.