A Survivor's

Journal is...

A workbook that
helps you prepare
your family for your
death or disability

Learn more with

these links...

Introduction

Who Should Prepare A Survivor's Journal

Excerpts From The Book

NEW!  Version 2.0...

Now with interactive PDF

forms allowing you to fill in,

save, and print the individual

forms on your computer for ease of use and updating.

Introduction

(excerpt from "How to Create a SURVIVOR'S JOURNAL" - v2.0)

If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking

In all our lives there comes a time when we are compelled to ponder our own mortality. For some, this introspective period arises after a near fatal incident, such as a serious illness or accident. Some of us begin to ponder our own frailties after visiting a friend or loved one in the hospital. Others become pensive while attending the funeral of someone we hold dear. In these reflective moments we are forced to contemplate the traumatic emotional impact our death or disability could impose upon those we leave behind.

When we are young, we tend to believe that we are invincible, that abandonment and reckless behavior will have no impact upon our lives, or on the lives of those around us. But as we get older, or as tragedies enter our realm, we realize that life is fragile and fleeting. For most, thoughts of mortality are thrust upon us at a time when we are ill prepared to cope with the situation: a loved one is unexpectedly taken in death, leaving behind no legal will or instructions for the family; a tragic accident renders a person unable to communicate his health care wishes as he lies in a hospital on life-support; or a child is missing, and in emotional distress the parents cannot recall vital information needed by police.

The time when a family member dies or becomes seriously ill, injured or disabled is a stressful and difficult period. Yet it’s also a time when extremely important decisions must be made. Unfortunately, all too frequently, the information required to make those decisions is known only by the deceased or seriously ill person. When that person is unable to communicate their wishes,  family squabbles can erupt over how to care for the ill person or what to do with the deceased’s possessions. When this happens, unintentional hurtful comments and deep-seeded wounds can be inflicted upon surviving family members. During these stressful times, anger and frustration, intensified by grief, lunge out in two directions — anger at oneself for not having asked the questions while the opportunity was there with the individual, and anger at the loved one for not being better prepared for such situations.

This book has been written to help you and your family prepare for and talk about critical survivor issues. It is designed to lessen the emotional impact your death or disability will have upon your loved ones.

In the chapters of this book you will learn how to create a Survivor’s Journal, a portfolio containing the information your family will need in order to make essential decisions after your death or during your recovery from a serious illness or injury.

Each chapter of this book provides educational materials, forms and  sample documents to help you prepare your Last Will and Testament, Living Will, Health Care Directives, Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Finance, Living Trusts, and other important papers to protect your assets and provide for your family in the future.

In this book you will receive information, guidance and worksheets to:

• Instruct your family on what to do when you die

• Make your funeral and burial arrangements

• Plan your own funeral or memorial service

• Write your Last Will and Testament

• Determine who will take care of your children when you or the other parent are unable to do so

• Clarify your health care wishes regarding artificial life-sustaining methods and other medical treatments

• Write a Living Will

• Create Powers of Attorney for your medical and financial needs

• Plan your estate

• Create family trusts and other asset protection documents

• Avoid probate

• Minimize or eliminate estate taxes and other tax obligations

• Protect and disburse your property and assets

If I can stop one heart from breaking
I shall not have lived in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching
Or cool the pain
 
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again
I shall not live in vain.
   
— Emily Dickinson        

                                                             ...continued in the book (purchase)