How to Document Your Final Wishes for Free in Ireland - A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Document Your Final Record of Wishes for Free in Ireland: A Step-by-Step Guide
Planning for the end-of-life is never easy, but it is a thoughtful and responsible step that ensures your final wishes are respected and can comfort your loved ones during a difficult time.
Documenting your final wishes doesn't have to be a long or arduous process. In Ireland, there are several ways to do so for free, and this step-by-step guide will help you understand how to make a record of your wishes, the important considerations, and the tools and services available to you, such as Private Cremation.
What is a Prepaid Funeral Plan?
Before you begin documenting your final wishes, take some time to reflect on what is important to you and consider the following points:
Funeral Arrangements: Do you prefer burial or cremation? What type of funeral service would you like? Are there specific readings, music, or cultural traditions you want included?
Medical Care: What are your preferences regarding medical treatment if you become incapacitated? Do you want to receive life-sustaining treatments, or would you prefer to focus on comfort care?
Organ Donation: Would you like to donate your organs or tissues after death? If so, which organs are you willing to donate?
Estate Distribution: How would you like your assets, including money, property, and personal belongings, distributed after your death?
Write a Will
A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your estate to be distributed after your death. While you can hire a solicitor to draft a will for approx €200 + VAT, writing one yourself for free is also possible. Here's how:
1. List Your Assets
Make a comprehensive list of all your assets, including bank accounts, property, investments, and valuable personal items. This will help you determine how you want to distribute them.
2. Name Your Beneficiaries
Decide who you want to inherit your assets. This could include family members, friends, or charitable organisations. Be specific about what each beneficiary will receive.
3.Choose an Executor
An executor is responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will. Choose someone you trust who is willing and able to take on this legal responsibility.
4. Write Your Will
Use clear and concise language to outline your wishes. Include the following sections:
Introduction: State your name and address, and declare that this is your last will and testament.
Revocation of Previous Wills: Declare that any previous wills are revoked.
Appointment of Executor: Name your executor and any backup executors.
Distribution of Assets: Detail how your assets should be distributed.
Guardianship: If you have minor children, name a guardian for them.
Signatures and Witnesses: Sign your will in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries. The witnesses must also sign the will.
5. Store Your Will Safely
Keep your will in a safe place and inform your executor of its location. You can store it at home, with a trusted friend or family member, or use a will storage service offered by some financial institutions.
Create an Advance Healthcare Directive
An Advance Healthcare Directive, also known as a living will, allows you to document your medical care preferences in case you are unable to make decisions for yourself. This document is legally recognised in Ireland and can guide healthcare providers and loved ones in making decisions on your behalf. Here’s how to create one for free:
1. Reflect on Your Medical Preferences
Consider your preferences for life-sustaining treatments such as resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and tube feeding. Consider what quality of life means to you and under what circumstances you would prefer to receive comfort care.
2. Write Your Directive
An Advance Healthcare Directive should include the following sections:
Introduction: State your name and address, and declare that this is your Advance Healthcare Directive.
Medical Treatments: Outline your preferences for specific medical treatments and interventions.
End-of-Life Care: Describe your wishes regarding end-of-life care, including pain management and hospice care.
Healthcare Proxy: If you cannot make healthcare decisions yourself, a trusted person can make them on your behalf.
3. Sign and Share Your Directive
Sign your directive in the presence of a witness who is not your healthcare proxy. Provide copies to your healthcare proxy, family members, and primary care physician. Keep a copy of your important documents.
Document Your Funeral Record of Wishes
Documenting your funeral wishes can help ensure your preferences are honoured and guide your loved ones. This can be done informally in a written document or registered for free with Private Cremation, which provides trusted direct cremations through a fixed-cost prepaid plan.
Here’s how it all works:
1. Write Down Your Preferences
Include details such as:
Type of Service: Burial or cremation.
Location: Preferred cemetery or crematorium.
Service Details: Type of service (religious, non-religious), specific readings, music, and any cultural or personal touches you would like.
Special Requests: Any specific instructions for the service, such as dress code, flowers, or donations instead of flowers.
Private or Gathered: For those choosing cremation, one important point to consider is whether you wish for a private cremation and your ashes handed back to your family after or with them attending a crematorium service. The former is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland as a more affordable way of dealing with funeral costs.
2. Share Your Wishes
Provide copies of your funeral wishes to your family members, executor, nominated representatives
and anyone involved in arranging your funeral. Discussing your wishes with your loved ones can help ensure they are followed and let your loved ones celebrate your unique life without having to make stressful decisions when the time comes.
Communicate with Your Loved Ones
One of the most important steps in documenting your final wishes is communicating them to your loved ones. Here’s how to have this conversation:
1. Choose the Right Time
Find a quiet and comfortable setting to discuss your wishes with your family. Choose a time when everyone is calm and receptive.
2. Be Clear and Direct
Explain your wishes clearly and why they are important to you. Answer any questions your loved ones may have and address any concerns.
3. Provide Copies
Give copies of your will, Advance Healthcare Directive, funeral record of wishes, and organ donor card to your family members and healthcare proxy. Ensure they know where to find these documents if needed.
Review and Update Your Documents
Life circumstances can change, and reviewing and updating your documents regularly is essential. Here’s how:
1. Periodic Review
Set a reminder to review your documents every few years or after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, childbirth, or beneficiary death.
2. Make Necessary Updates
If your wishes or circumstances change, update your documents accordingly. Ensure that all copies are updated and that your loved ones are informed of any changes.
Free Resources for Documenting Your Final Wishes
There are several free resources available in Ireland to help you document your final wishes:
HSE Advance Healthcare Directive Templates: The HSE provides templates and guidance for creating an Advance Healthcare Directive.
Record of Wishes
Irish Hospice Foundation: Offers resources and information on end-of-life planning, including templates for documenting your wishes.
Citizens Information: Provides comprehensive information on wills, Advance Healthcare Directives, and organ donation.
Organ Donor Register: Register as an organ donor for free through the HSE website.
Peace of Mind With Your Final Record of Wishes
The final step is difficult, but having doubts or concerns over how your final wishes are carried out can severely compound the situation. However, it doesn’t need to be the complex, expensive process it’s made out to be. In Ireland, you can document your wishes for free by writing a will, creating an Advance Healthcare Directive, documenting your funeral preferences, and communicating with your loved ones.
By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure that your final wishes are clearly documented and that your loved ones have the guidance they need during a difficult time.
At Private Cremation, We understand that deciding on certain aspects of your funeral takes time and is very important. A Record of Wishes gives you and your family peace of mind and lets you organise your arrangements in advance. You simply nominate Private Cremation to look after your funeral wishes and let your