Preparing for end of life is something we often tend to put off. Yet it’s a responsible thing to do, to protect your loved ones and to ensure that your wishes and values are respected after your death.
At Urgel Bourgie / Athos, we’ve been helping families plan funeral prearrangements and unique memorial ceremonies for over 120 years. With this expertise, we know how planning ahead can ease the emotional, financial and administrative burden of a passing.
In this article, find out more about the importance of preparing for the end of life, the tools available to help you do so, and the support offered by the Urgel Bourgie / Athos team.
Essential tools to prepare for your end of life
Comprehensive preparation for the end of life relies on a number of documents and provisions, such as a will, funeral prearrangements, life insurance and a protection mandate. These tools complement each other. Together, they form a solid foundation for your peace of mind, so that you can enjoy your life to the full, without worrying about what comes after.
The will: organizing your estate legally
The will is the foundation of estate planning. It allows you to distribute your assets according to your wishes, appoint a liquidator and, if necessary, a guardian for your minor children. It must be carefully drafted, ideally by a notary or lawyer, to ensure its validity.
Urgel Bourgie / Athos’ legal partners are here to guide you through this process.Funeral prearrangements: planning the concrete details
Funeral pre-arrangements consist of planning, during your lifetime, the organization of your funeral or celebration of life. This includes how the body will be disposed of the type of ceremony and the choice of resting place. They can also help you settle the practical and financial aspects of your grand departure.
Urgel Bourgie / Athos’ pre-arrangement consultants can guide you through the process.Life insurance: financial support not to be overlooked
Life insurance provides a lump-sum payment to your beneficiaries on your passing. This amount can be used to settle certain debts or obligations, but it does not automatically cover funeral expenses. It is therefore a useful complement to, but distinct from, funeral pre-arrangements.
Protection mandate: designate a person of trust
The protection mandate takes effect during your lifetime if you become incapable of making decisions for yourself. It appoints a mandatary to manage your personal and financial affairs. The mandate ends upon your death.
Legal and funeral support under one roofUrgel Bourgie / Athos works with a variety of legal partners to provide estate assistance services, allowing you to plan your will, prearrangements and protection mandate all in one place. Contact us to find out more. |
Why plan for your end of life now?
End-of-life planning is not just for the elderly. In fact, it’s best undertaken while you’re still in good health and in full possession of your faculties. This allows you to make calm, well-considered decisions.
Planning for the end of your life through prearrangements, wills, life insurance and protection mandates has many advantages:
Easing the burden on loved ones
When a death occurs, loved ones have to make many decisions in a short space of time, while at the same time being immersed in grief. Anticipating these decisions before the passing helps to avoid conflict, clarify responsibilities and relieve your loved ones of an important burden.
Make sure your wishes are respected
Preparing for the end of life means formulating your wishes clearly, whether in terms of how the body is to be disposed of, the type of ceremony, the choice of beneficiaries or any other important point. This prevents others from making these decisions for you, to the detriment of your values and preferences.
Control costs and avoid future increases
Funeral pre-arrangements allow you to take advantage of today’s price on services received later. This protects you from future price increases. You can also benefit from staggered payment terms and customized financing plans. This way, you can spread the cost according to your budget and, above all, spare your family unexpected expenses.
It’s never “too early” to plan for end of lifeThere’s no perfect age or time to start planning for end of life. It should be done at a time when you understand its relevance and when you feel the need to do so. Planning for end of life is an act of precaution, just like saving for retirement. It allows you to face the future with calm and confidence, knowing that everything is in order. |
Involve your loved ones in planning your end of life
Talking about your end of life with your loved ones may seem difficult, but this discussion is as essential as it is valuable. It allows you to share your intentions and ensure they are well understood, as well as involving your loved ones in the selection of services that concern them personally, such as the funeral ceremony and place of rest.
What’s more, unprepared for the responsibilities involved can be very stressful for your loved ones. That’s why we strongly recommend that you inform the person you designate as liquidator or mandatary in your protection mandate, and make sure he or she is comfortable with the role they will have to play.
Urgel Bourgie / Athos: funeral expertise at your service for complete planning
Our funeral directors are there to support you with empathy and professionalism at every stage of your end-of-life planning. We also put at your disposal a network of legal partners to guide you in the preparation of your will and protection mandate.
Make an appointment today to discuss your needs and begin preparing for your end of life with the support of our qualified professionals.
FAQ (frequently asked questions)
Can Urgel Bourgie / Athos help me with my will?
Yes, through our legal partners, we can help you draw up a will, a protection mandate, or any other estate-planning process.
Do I really need funeral pre-arrangements and life insurance?
These 2 tools are complementary. Life insurance provides financial support for your loved ones, while funeral prearrangements are used to organize and finance your funeral. Together, they cover both the financial and logistical needs associated with your passing.
Is it possible to pay for funeral pre-arrangements in installments?
Yes, we offer financing plans and instalments to enable you to benefit from this service. Our pre-arrangements consultants can guide you according to your needs, vision and budget.
Is my will enough to organize my funeral?
A will can set out certain general wishes, but it cannot be used to plan the actual ceremony or settle the costs. That’s the function of funeral pre-arrangements.