Legal Documents
There are many legal documents that relate to preparing for your own death. As I indicated in Chapter 9, I want to provide access to information that helps you make appropriate end-of-life legal decisions for yourself. Listed below are Internet sites that can provide specific information about the topics I discussed. Many of these sites are specific to the United States. For readers from other countries, please search these topics for your country, states, or principalities.
Wills and Living Trusts
Will
www.lawdepot.com/contracts/last-will-and-testament-usa/#.WAU3j6O-IUF
Living Trusts
www.uslegalforms.com/livingtrusts
Ethical Will
www.everplans.com/articles/ethical-will-worksheet
Medical Directives and Power of Attorney
Advance Health Care Directive
http://uslwr.com/formslist.shtm
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) / Do Not Intubate (ADNI)
www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/fire/emsoa/pdf/dnr.pdf
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Directive
www.chaclaplata.org/PDF/CPR%20Directive%20Form.pdf
Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)
http://polst.org/programs-in-your-state/
Organ Donation Directive
www.organdonor.gov/register.html?gclid=CKzulvaD5c8CFYOFaQodCiAL0g
Medical School Body Donation
www.livingbank.org/whole-body-donation
Death Certificates
www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/death11-03final-acc.pdf
Durable Power of Attorney
www.12law.com/engine/start.aspx?rgp_key=4a736dbe-2c14-479c-ac9d-6bc367d2eef0
Medical Power of Attorney
www.expertlaw.com/library/estate_planning/medical_power_of_attorney.html
www.wvlegalservices.org/medpoa.pdf
Burial and Cremation
Burial at a Conventional Cemetery
www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0301-funeral-costs-and-pricing-checklist
Green Burials
www.greenburialcouncil.org
Cremation
www.neptunesociety.com/cremation-process
Additional Book Resource
A Graceful Farewell: Putting Your Affairs in Order by Maggie Watson
www.agracefulfarewell.com
The documents in the book, along with the documents I’ve listed, provide everything that your family and friends need to resolve the practicalities of your life after you die. The book includes a wide range of topics that only you know about and others might find difficult to discover. The book covers such topics as where your critical documents are to be found, all your money placements (banks, credit cards, investments, loans, real estate, etc., as well as antiques), different types of insurance, property you own, business contracts and partners, document checklist, farewell wishes, and much more. This is a gift that will keep on giving as you “gracefully” prepare your farewell!