Including practical household matters in your end-of-life planning helps those left behind manage the household efficiently during a difficult time.
Why are practical household matters important in end-of-life planning?
Planning ahead ensures that your loved ones can navigate day-to-day tasks without confusion, especially when grief might affect their ability to think clearly. This includes knowing where key documents are, how appliances work and how to handle emergencies.
In many families, there are different roles when it comes to managing the household. This means that when someone passes away, the surviving family members may not be aware of key details, like where to find appliance instructions, how to control heating, or how to operate security systems.
How does grief affect a person’s ability to handle household matters?
Grief can be overwhelming and affect everyone differently. It may leave people unable to function as they normally would, making it difficult to manage practical tasks around the home. Grieving individuals might struggle to remember essential details, such as insurance renewal dates or where certain documents or devices are located.
How can you prepare your household for when you’re no longer able to manage it?
Take a walk around your home and ask yourself what information someone else would need to know in order to manage daily tasks. For example, make sure to note the following:
Where are appliance instructions stored?
How do the heating controls work?
Is there a security alarm system, and how is it used?
Where are the padlock combinations?
Where is the stopcock for turning off the water supply?
Make a list of all these details and ensure the relevant people know where to find it when needed.
What to include in your list of practical household matters
Include essential information such as:
appliance manuals and instructions
heating and water control instructions
alarm and security system details
emergency contacts and important dates (like insurance renewals)
locations of keys, padlocks, and other essential equipment.
It’s important to include details about smart systems (like app-controlled security gates or heating systems) that may be unfamiliar to others. Ensure that your family knows how to use these systems, especially if they are managed through apps or specific devices.
Where should you keep this list of household information?
Store the list in an accessible, safe location and let the key individuals in your life know where it is. This could be a physical location (like a locked drawer) or a digital format that can be easily accessed when needed.
How often should you update the information?
It's a good idea to review and update the list regularly, particularly after any changes to the home, appliances or household roles. Make sure the details stay current, so your loved ones are always prepared.