Here’s yet another snippet from After I Die: What My Executor Will Need to Know. It’s something that a lot of people don’t think about when they agree to be an executor for a friend, a family member, or a colleague.
My heart goes out to you if you’re dealing with the death of a loved one. That’s why I wanted to be sure to include a note in my book to let you know it’s okay to take it just one step at a time—and one of those steps needs to be “being gentle on yourself.”
Here’s what I say in Chapter Three, which is a note to the executor:
Being an executor almost always comes at a time when you’re trying to deal with your own grief. It can be an exhausting and time-consuming process. If you need to consider talking to a bereavement counselor, rest assured that many people have benefitted from being able to talk it all out. You’ll be under a lot of pressure to get all the things on this list accomplished – but you don’t need to fall apart while you’re doing it, so take a deep breath, remember the good times, take some time to relax, journal if you need to, and ask for help if you need it. In other words, take care of yourself.
Next week, I’ll give you a list of the most important info for your executor to have immediately after your death.
Oh, come on now – don’t panic. Dealing with these things doesn’t mean you’re ready to croak. It means you’re being thoughtful to your loved ones.