Ask Barb - Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers

This time of year encourages people to travel away from home.  You might be a snow bird and relocate for the season or simply a vacationer seeking the sun  on  a cruise or friendly beach.

Sadly, death can happen at any time and getting you home to your family can be an over whelming project.  So I’d like  to encourage you to consider placing some provisions in your preplanned future trips.

1.  Make sure your family/friends have an itinerary for your trip.

2.  Make sure you have legal documents in place so someone can handle your personal decisions.  Some of those documents to consider are as follows.  For example; a medical power of attorney, a financial power of attorney and  guardianship papers for children under the age of 21.

3.  Make sure your  family knows where to find that important paperwork.

4.  Have a funeral directive in place.  Within that preplanned funeral include a “return travel” arrangement for your body.  Such travel plans provide for a team of professionals that will make sure you get home safely to those who love you.  These professionals will know how to prepare you, the paperwork and your travel.  This insurance program will provide your family with a unique peace of mind  that when something tragic happens that you had, once again, taken care of  them.

5.  Pack a small camera and record all the special moments you’ll share together!

Have an amazing start to the New Year …make sure to hugs and kiss….start that new year by doing something unexpected and nice for someone you’ve never met….welcome new friendships and celebrate old ones…appreciate this moment in time!

Well, you’ve made it through the hard part of the holiday season.  I hope you jotted down some reflections and thoughts about this year , good or bad, this was a season of education, adjustment, and change.  Now  let’s look to 2010.

Since Indianapolis is covered with snow and freezing temperatures we’ll focus on indoor projects for now.

We’ll start by putting our house in order with a financial review.  What financially worked or didn’t work for you and your family in 2010?  After a death there can be a lot of odd paperwork flowing into the house.  There may be medical statements, estate recaps, credit card accounts you didn’t know exist.  Sort them into colorful files and call for some help.  Once you know what you have to do you can handle one  issues at a time.  It may appear too much when you start but I promise you’ll feel better after it’s sorted and you get some advise.

Share your stories!  So often when someone dies we stop talking about them.  Their presence lingers heavily in the air but everyone stays away from the subject.  My advise, now is the time to share those special stories with each other.  Remove the elephant in the room that keeps the day somber.

My mother was a terror just before the holidays.  She had long lists for each of us to do and dad was always late getting the tree up.  As you might guess, a real tree brought the needles and watering cans out.  Not a women’s favorite thing in the living room right before guests. It was our holiday ritual loaded with yelling and frustrations that provides such moments of laughter,tears and closeness now.