Things to Consider
Digital Assets
In today’s world, much of our daily life takes place in an ‘online’ environment which can be a challenge for bereaved family members who are dealing with their grief.
In consideration of this, we recommend that you look to have a document lodged safely with someone you trust implicitly containing all the information and passwords that your family may need in order to take care of your affairs after you have passed away.
This list is not exhaustive, but may include
- Your online bank accounts
- PayPal or other payment apps
- Social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn etc)
- Your mobile phone password
- Your PC password (and/or tablet, laptop etc)
- Any email accounts
Donating your body to medical science
Whilst this may not be the preferred option for most, this may be the personal choice of some and if so, careful consideration needs to be given to this. Donating your body is not as simple as it is to donate organs where all you require is a card to signify your wishes. It may even be that your body is not accepted – nothing personal to you, but relative to your recent medical history and cause of death.
As a first step contact is usually made via the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Embryology closest to your location – usually a University Hospital.
It is important to be aware that if your body is not accepted for any reason, your loved ones may still need to arrange a funeral for you.
Bucket Lists
Accomplish your life goals. Discover what you really want to do Put your plan into action
What is a bucket list?
In simple terms, it is a collection of goals, dreams and aspirations that you would like to accomplish within your lifetime.
What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Bucket list’?
The phrase bucket list may have been around for a while but it certainly became more widely used following the film of the same name with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in 2007.
For some time after it was first coined, only people who feared their imminent death compiled a bucket list.
More recently, since the expression has become more widely used, it just means ‘a list of things that I would like to do someday’.
For some people it’s – visit The Grand Canyon, The Taj Majal or swim with dolphins, learn to dance, play an instrument.
What is on your bucket list? Do you have one?
Why not make one. It doesn’t have to cost money – find your passion.
It could be a random act of kindness, grow some vegetables, learn something new.
Surprise yourself….don’t leave it until it’s too late….enjoy every moment.
How would you like to be remembered?
Did you know that statistically speaking when asked, only 1% of people knew all the deceased’s funeral wishes? (Sun Life Dying Report 2020).
Naturally your family and friends will want to ensure that you have the best send off – a day that celebrates your life. It is therefore, important to help them by talking about anything specific that you would like. To help with this, we have put together a list of readings and songs that may appeal to you:
Here are a few popular choices:
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Amazing Grace by John Newton
- My Way by Frank Sinatra
- Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
- I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me
- Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
- Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
- In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLachlan
- Ave Maria by Franz Schubert
- The road to hell by Chris Rea
- Ed Sheeran’s Supermarket Flowers
- You Raise Me Up by Westlife
- Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
- The Rose – Bette Midler
- Angels – Robbie Williams
- Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
- We’ll Meet Again – Vera Lynn
- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Eric Idle, from Monty Python’s ‘Life of Brian’
- My heart will go on – Celine Dion
- You’ll never walk alone – Gerry and the Pacemakers
In Memoriam
By William Morecomb
For a second you were flying
Like you always wanted to
Now you’ll fly forever
In skies of azure blue
We’ll see your smile in every ray
Of sunshine after rain
And hear the echo of your laughter
Over all the pain
The world’s a little quieter now
The colours have lost their hue
The birds are singing softly
And our hearts are missing you
Each time we see a little cloud
Or a rainbow soaring high
We’ll think of you and gently
Wipe a tear from our eye.
I Have Not Gone
Author Unknown
You think I’ve gone, that I am dead, and life has lost its will,
But look around, I am right there, living with you still
I watch your tears, I feel your pain – I see the things you do
I weep as well, each time you cry, my soul, it lives with you
It gives such joy to hear you laugh, and do the things you do
And when you smile o’er by gone days, I smile right with you too
For we’re still one, just you and me, one mind, one soul, one being
Walking forward into life, though only you are seen
And in the stillness of the night, when the pain it really starts
Stretch out a little with your mind and draw me to your heart
For I am always right in there, always by your side
For you have been, all my life’s days, my joy, my love my pride.
There is No Death
Author Unknown
There is a plan far greater than the plan you know;
There is a landscape broader than the one you see.
There is a haven where storm-tossed souls may go —
You call it death — we, immortality.
You call it death — this seemingly endless sleep;
We call it birth — the soul at last set free.
‘Tis hampered not by time or space — you weep.
Why weep at death? ‘Tis immortality.
Farewell, dear Voyageur — ’twill not be long.
Your work is done — now may peace rest with thee.
Your kindly thoughts and deeds — they will live on.
This is not death — ’tis immortality.
Farewell, dear voyageur — the river winds and turns;
The cadence of your song wafts near to me,
And now you know the thing that all men learn:
There is no death — there’s immortality.
Miss Me But Let Me Go
Author Unknown
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free!
Miss me a little — but not for long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.
For this journey that we all must take
And each must go alone;
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.