I think if my partner had realised the various things that would happen after his death, it may have affected his decision or changed some of his plans. I am not saying these things to sway anyone one way or the other; knowing what could happen to those you leave behind might be important to some, and you may wish to take steps to make things as simple as possible for those you love. I am in the UK so I don't know what happens in other countries.
First off, there will be an autopsy and there will be an inquest. Inquests can take months and make your death a matter of public knowledge. All autopsy findings and details, statements (there will be more than you think, and all relevant mental health history), and any notes you leave will be read out in court. The statements can be distressing for people to hear, they can contain inaccurate information, and can cause argument and divide loved ones. There is no way to dispute these statements and they will end up being the permanent record of what happened to you. Having your notes read out may affect what you choose to say, however leaving notes can help the Coroner draw their conclusion as to cause of death.
There will be heavy costs and admin, starting with the recovery of your body. Someone will have to deal with things like tracking down and closing your financial accounts, and your burial/cremation/funeral service. If you have not named an executor in a legal will, it will fall to whoever the authorities decide is next of kin. Choosing flowers and music and sandwiches can help some people process what's happened and keep them busy, or perhaps some people will be excluded from these decisions. Perhaps people will come from far and wide to say goodbye. Perhaps family members you haven't seen in fifteen years will be your pallbearers. Perhaps someone will have to decide whether to provide your clothes, have a private viewing, or to let you go in a funeral shroud. Perhaps looking at your coffin isn't the last thing you want someone to remember of you. You may wish to consider wills, letters of wishes, prepaid funeral plans.
Consider what might happen to any web presence or social media profiles you have - some have policies in place for after death. Google has an inactive account policy you can look into.
Things like tribute pages may be set up by funeral directors, you may or may not want this to happen. You cannot control what will be said about you, and all sorts of people might suddenly have something to say. It can cause distress to those left behind.
Someone will have to deal with your belongings. Someone might give things you want given to certain people away to someone else. You may declare that you want your possessions simply disposed of but somebody will still have to do that, item by item. Any phones and computers will probably be looked at. Perhaps you can organise and label belongings beforehand.
The things I have experienced after my partner's death have certainly affected my plans for my own, and perhaps some of this will be of interest to those who want to leave as little untidiness as possible behind them.
First off, there will be an autopsy and there will be an inquest. Inquests can take months and make your death a matter of public knowledge. All autopsy findings and details, statements (there will be more than you think, and all relevant mental health history), and any notes you leave will be read out in court. The statements can be distressing for people to hear, they can contain inaccurate information, and can cause argument and divide loved ones. There is no way to dispute these statements and they will end up being the permanent record of what happened to you. Having your notes read out may affect what you choose to say, however leaving notes can help the Coroner draw their conclusion as to cause of death.
There will be heavy costs and admin, starting with the recovery of your body. Someone will have to deal with things like tracking down and closing your financial accounts, and your burial/cremation/funeral service. If you have not named an executor in a legal will, it will fall to whoever the authorities decide is next of kin. Choosing flowers and music and sandwiches can help some people process what's happened and keep them busy, or perhaps some people will be excluded from these decisions. Perhaps people will come from far and wide to say goodbye. Perhaps family members you haven't seen in fifteen years will be your pallbearers. Perhaps someone will have to decide whether to provide your clothes, have a private viewing, or to let you go in a funeral shroud. Perhaps looking at your coffin isn't the last thing you want someone to remember of you. You may wish to consider wills, letters of wishes, prepaid funeral plans.
Consider what might happen to any web presence or social media profiles you have - some have policies in place for after death. Google has an inactive account policy you can look into.
Things like tribute pages may be set up by funeral directors, you may or may not want this to happen. You cannot control what will be said about you, and all sorts of people might suddenly have something to say. It can cause distress to those left behind.
Someone will have to deal with your belongings. Someone might give things you want given to certain people away to someone else. You may declare that you want your possessions simply disposed of but somebody will still have to do that, item by item. Any phones and computers will probably be looked at. Perhaps you can organise and label belongings beforehand.
The things I have experienced after my partner's death have certainly affected my plans for my own, and perhaps some of this will be of interest to those who want to leave as little untidiness as possible behind them.
