How to Make Death Binder – A Gift to Your Loved Ones – Hospicare (2024)

What is a Death Binder?

A death binder is a place to gather necessary informationand documents that detail how we wantour wishes carried out, our belongingsdispersed, our finances dealt with, etc.

How to Make Death Binder – A Gift to Your Loved Ones – Hospicare (1)

Why make a death binder?

Reasons include:

  • It’s a gift to our lovedones:reduces the stress for our families when confronted with difficult medical decisions or in the event of our death
  • Provides a concrete plan for ourfamily to follow; no surprises
  • Provides the opportunity for family and friends to provide a loving presence at your bedsideand emotional support for one another
  • A gift to ourselves: a chance for us to review our lives and even make changes
  • Provides the opportunity for us to have difficult conversation with our family, hopefully alleviatingcharged conversationslater
  • Provides the opportunity for family to become closer

STEP ONE – Set your Intention

Set the intention and ask your self the hard questions about your life and your choices.

  • How do you imagine your end-of-life experience?
  • What medical or life-sustaining care do you want?
  • Who are the family and friends who will be most impacted by your death?
  • What do you want your legacy to be?

STEP TWO – Gather your Documents

Gather importantinformationanddocuments that wewant to be readilyavailable in case ofnatural disaster,medical emergency,or death.

Download our FINDING THE DOCUMENTS YOU NEED worksheet.

Here’s a start to your list:

  • Medical Documents
  • Bankaccount numbers, both checking andsavings
  • Insurancepolicies
  • Investmentaccountdetails
  • Safedeposit boxkeys
  • Socialsecurity card and other identification like birthcertificatesandpassports
  • Utilityand other monthly billinginformation
  • Mortgage, deed, or lease for your home orresidence
  • Vehicletitle
  • Internetaccount numbers and passwords, includingsubscriptionsand emailaccounts
  • Importantphone numbers for family members, your lawyer,doctor,and financial planner, pastor or priest,andyourpreferred funeralhome.??

A document like“5 Wishes”can help youthink about medical, emotional andspiritual questions, providing a structurefor you to reflect on these issues and startthe conversation with your health careproxy, other medical providers, and yourfamily.

STEP THREE – Organize your Documents

Decide what would work best for you. You can put documents in a binder, file cabinet, or box. If you make your own so that you can customize it to be an expression of you and your values. Or you can purchase one on the internet or at a local book store.

Poke around and see what makes the most sense for you!

How to Make Death Binder – A Gift to Your Loved Ones – Hospicare (2)
How to Make Death Binder – A Gift to Your Loved Ones – Hospicare (3)

STEP FOUR – Have the Conversations

The next step is to talk to your loved ones and let them know what you are doing and why it’s important.

Although end-of-lifeplanning is critical foradults at every age, it canbe difficult to find a wayto introduce the topic ofconversation to your lovedones.

Possible conversation starters:

  • There’s been something on my mind and now is a good time to bring it up
  • You can count on me to be there for you
  • I want to do the right things for you when you need them the most
  • I don’t know your wishes so please tell me them so I can honor them whether I agree with them or not
  • You matter to me and I care about you

Remember, a Death Binder is a living document and should be updated regularly. We live in a death phobic culture and it can be difficult to prioritize getting our affairs in order, it is a gift to yourself and your loved ones.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Email us or call 607-272-0212.

How to Make  Death Binder – A Gift to Your Loved Ones – Hospicare (2024)

FAQs

What should be in an end of life binder? ›

These include critical financial documents, account information and passwords, as well as key estate planning documents such as your will, power of attorney, health care proxy and any life insurance policies.

What goes in a death folder? ›

Consider the death folder an essential tool to help you organize and keep all of your most important files and documents in one place. These include your will, power of attorney, health care proxy, and any life insurance policies.

Where to store a death binder? ›

It can be done by either creating a secure/encrypted electronic file that survivors can access in the event of death. This file can then be stored on your main computer, in the cloud or on an external hard drive. Alternatively, you can use a physical folder to keep all of the important information together.

What should go in a death box? ›

It can be a place to collect important information such as your National Insurance number, who you have bank accounts and pension with, funeral plans or wishes, utility providers' information, loans or credit agreements and your Will.

How do you make a DIY binder? ›

You can turn one old shirt into a binder as well. To do this, cut the sleeves off, then cut the seams on both sides of the shirt. you now have two binders. To put this binder on, wrap it around your chest as tightly as you can without causing pain or discomfort.

What information should you leave in case of death? ›

LIST OF WHAT IS NEEDED IN YOUR “WHEN I DIE” FOLDER
  • Vital records. ...
  • Driver's license and social security card. ...
  • Real estate documents and deeds. ...
  • Financial accounts. ...
  • Insurance policies. ...
  • Lawyer, accountant, and advisors information. ...
  • Advance directive. ...
  • Durable power of attorney for finance.

What's in a next of kin box? ›

Inside each kit are 15 categories, covering everything from your life insurance policies to your funeral directives, to your dog's vet information to the code to that storage unit across town. The BEST part of the Nokbox is the checklist inside each folder. On one side, it tells you what to add to the folder.

What legal documents should every person have in case of their death? ›

Common documents include a will, durable power of attorney for finances, and a living trust. Share this infographic to spread the word about getting your affairs in order. A will specifies how your estate — your property, money, and other assets — will be distributed and managed when you die.

What is a death pack? ›

A death folder is a packet that contains important documents or info your loved ones will need after your death or in the event you become incapacitated. The packet can be digital or physical and typically contains files like your trust, various account information, financial details, and more.

What should be in a death book? ›

A death binder is literally a folder that holds every important piece of information about your life, from your birth certificate to your will and everything in between. It should include financial accounts, creditors, deeds, titles, life insurance, social media profiles, etc., and all their passwords.

How do you declutter after death? ›

How to start decluttering after someone dies
  1. “Start with the least sentimental things. These will be easier to get rid of and will help begin the process.”
  2. “Ask friends and family if they would like anything before you start decluttering. ...
  3. “Donate some items to charity shops .
Jul 24, 2020

How to make an emergency binder? ›

Seven Essential Components to Build Your Emergency Binder
  1. Identification Documents. ...
  2. Medical Information. ...
  3. Financial and Legal Documents. ...
  4. Emergency Contacts. ...
  5. Household Inventory. ...
  6. Emergency Plans and Procedures. ...
  7. Pet Documents. ...
  8. Conclusion.
Mar 12, 2024

What to put in a dead box? ›

A death box is a way of storing all of the important details of your life both financial and personal wishes. This could include things like: Bank accounts. Investments.

How to make a legacy binder? ›

What should a Legacy Binder include?
  1. Passwords.
  2. Financial information.
  3. Household information.
  4. Digital assets.
  5. Legal documents.
  6. List of personal effects.
  7. Important contacts.
  8. Final arrangements.

How to create an emergency binder? ›

Seven Essential Components to Build Your Emergency Binder
  1. Identification Documents. ...
  2. Medical Information. ...
  3. Financial and Legal Documents. ...
  4. Emergency Contacts. ...
  5. Household Inventory. ...
  6. Emergency Plans and Procedures. ...
  7. Pet Documents. ...
  8. Conclusion.
Mar 12, 2024

How to create a legacy binder? ›

What should a Legacy Binder include?
  1. Passwords.
  2. Financial information.
  3. Household information.
  4. Digital assets.
  5. Legal documents.
  6. List of personal effects.
  7. Important contacts.
  8. Final arrangements.

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