As we age, there are many important decisions to make and documents to organize regarding our legacy. At Sunset View Cemetery, our expert staff members help families in El Cerrito, Albany, and Pinole manage their end-of-life documents. We realize it can be confusing knowing which documents are important and how to fill them out. There are certain end-of-life documents that we recommend everyone complete. Doing so will ease the funeral planning process and allow you to focus on spending precious time with loved ones.

A Will  

When you hear the phrase “end-of-life documents,” the first one that comes to mind is most likely a will. A will outlines where your property and assets will go after you die. As soon as you turn 18, you can legally draft a will, but most adults wait till they’re in their 50s or even 60s to do so. Whenever you sit down to draft a will, be as specific as possible with your wishes and where you’d like your funds or property to go.

A Living Will 

Our Sunset View staff recommends families complete a living will in addition to a will. A living will is a legal document that specifies the type of medical care a person wishes to receive should they be unable to express their preferences. In addition to a living will, you also have the option to appoint a healthcare proxy to make medical decisions on your behalf should you be unable to do so.

Preplanning Your Funeral  

Funeral and burial arrangements are an important part of end-of-life planning. Whether you choose traditional burial or cremation, we’ll help you make every important decision, from the location of your final resting place to the food menu for the reception. Give yourself and your loved ones peace of mind about the future by preplanning your service. When the time comes, they’ll be able to celebrate your life without guessing about your end-of-life preferences.

There are more end-of-life documents to consider, from DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders to organ donor designation, and our knowledgeable staff members will advise you on everything you need to feel secure about your future. Contact our team to learn more or to start preplanning your end-of-life services.