A letter of final instruction is a document that provides your loved ones with important information about your wishes and assets after you pass away. It is not a legal document and does not need to be witnessed or notarized. However, it can be very helpful in ensuring that your final wishes are carried out and that your loved ones know what to do in the event of your death.
There are many different formats for a letter of final instruction, but there are some key pieces of information that you should always include. These include:
What to Include in a Letter of Final Instruction
Your name and contact information: This is important so that your loved ones can reach you if they have any questions.
Your date of birth and place of birth: This information may be needed for legal or financial purposes.
Your Social Security number: This may also be needed for legal or financial purposes.
Your marital status: This information may be needed for estate planning purposes.
Your beneficiaries: This is a list of the people who will inherit your assets after you pass away.
Additional Information to Include in a Letter of Final Instruction
Your funeral arrangements: This is where you can specify your wishes for your funeral, such as the type of service you want, the music you want played, and the location of your burial or cremation.
Your estate planning documents: This is where you can list the location of your will, trust, and other estate planning documents.
Your digital assets: This is where you can list the usernames and passwords for your online accounts, such as your email, social media, and financial accounts.
Your medical directives: This is where you can specify your wishes for end-of-life care, such as whether you want to be resuscitated or placed on life support.
Your personal preferences: This is where you can include any other information that you think would be helpful to your loved ones, such as your favorite charities, your favorite books, or your favorite recipes.
Conclusion
A letter of final instruction is a valuable tool that can help you ensure that your final wishes are carried out and that your loved ones know what to do in the event of your death. By taking the time to create a letter of final instruction, you can give your loved ones peace of mind and help them through a difficult time.
You can find many different letter of final instruction templates online. Once you have found a template that you like, you can simply fill in the blanks with your own information. You can also add any additional information that you think would be helpful to your loved ones.
