How to Cope with the Death of a Loved One

“Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch.” ― Jack Thorne

The departure of those we hold dear never equates to their complete departure. Certain aspects are beyond death’s reach, eternal connections that persist unbroken. These profound sentiments penned by Jack Thorne encapsulate a truth that resonates deep within us.

Grief, a tempest of emotions, sweeps over us like an unexpected wave, knocking us off balance. It carries with it a temporal dimension, for grieving is the voyage we undertake as we acclimate to the void left by our cherished ones. The absence they leave becomes a part of us, a space forever occupied by memories and emotions.

The human response to loss is as varied as the colors of a spectrum, each person weaving their tapestry of coping mechanisms. Research unveils that most individuals can navigate the labyrinth of loss over time, aided by social support and nurturing habits. The passage of months or even a year might be required to fully fathom the contours of loss. The notion of linear stages in grief, as commonly depicted, is challenged by research, which reveals that progression through grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience.

The profound challenge of confronting the passing of a dear friend or family member stands as one of life’s most daunting trials. The departure of a spouse, sibling, or parent can unleash a torrent of intense grief. While loss is an intrinsic part of existence, the upheaval of emotions that follows can leave us in a state of bewildered shock.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Amid grief’s labyrinth, individuals grappling with loss may find solace in various strategies:

1. Dialogue with Remembrance

Engaging in conversations about the departed with friends or colleagues not only provides understanding but also preserves the memory of the individual. Avoiding discussions out of discomfort can foster isolation, hindering the healing process bolstered by supportive networks.

2. Embrace Your Emotions

The variety of emotions—be it sadness, anger, or exhaustion—is a testament to the depth of one’s connection. Acknowledging these feelings is crucial. Should these emotions become overwhelming or stagnate, seeking guidance from licensed psychologists or mental health professionals offers a lifeline back to emotional equilibrium.

3. Extend a Helping Hand

Supporting others who share the burden of loss can be mutually healing. Whether sharing anecdotes or listening to the deceased’s favorite melodies, these seemingly modest gestures bear immense significance. Extending assistance not only aids others but also nurtures our own well-being.

4. Safeguard Memories

Honoring our loved ones can take myriad forms. Planting trees, participating in charitable events, or crafting memory boxes with tokens of their existence keeps their spirit alive. Composing letters or gratitude notes offers a conduit for preserving connection and finding solace in gratitude.

5. Participate in Rituals

Mourning rituals, such as memorial services and funerals, provide communal solace during the initial stages of loss. They are poignant ways to commemorate the departed. The company of those who shared the bond with the loved one is itself a source of comfort.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Through dialogue, remembrance, emotional acceptance, communal support, and commemorative rituals, we navigate the labyrinth of loss, honoring the eternal connection that transcends the boundaries of mortality.

Sources: 1 & 2

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What Happens To Your Finances When You Die In Singapore?

Technically speaking, all the monetary value that the deceased left behind belongs to his or her estate. This estate includes bank accounts, investments, and properties. The only exceptions are the assets held in the trust and the individual’s CPF money.

All the assets will be frozen once a person passes away. The professional assigned to go through the departed’s Will is known as an executor. An executor is usually a family lawyer or a trusted relative. He or she applies to be granted probate, which is a court order empowering the executor to settle all the remaining assets.

Say that the deceased did not make a legitimate Will and has an estate of about S$50,000. The surviving family members may go to the Public Trustee for them to divide the assets according to the Intestate Succession Act.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

This is why it is recommended to write your own Will while you are still alive. In fact, a straightforward online tool that can help you with that is called the WillMaker. It costs about S$89.

WILL YOU BE LIABLE FOR THE DECEASED’S DEBTS?

After the funeral costs are sorted out, the executor will liquefy the estate to pay off the deceased’s outstanding debts. Outstanding debts encompass the unpaid taxes, mortgages, credit card bills, utility bills, and so on. When the court is satisfied with all the debt payments, the remaining assets can be distributed to the beneficiaries according to the Will.

You are fortunate to know that the surviving family members are not legally responsible for the debts left behind by the deceased in Singapore. A surviving family member will only be held liable for the debts, if they have a joint loan account with the deceased.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Now, let us move on to the HDB flat left behind. HDB homeowners have a signed a mandatory insurance known as the Home Protection Scheme (HPS). This insurance protects families from losing their HDB flats in the event of death, total permanent disability, and terminal illness. HPS insures members up to age 65 or until the housing loans are paid.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Basic Guide To Estate Planning In Singapore

Estate planning advice often focuses on the creation of legal documents such as wills and trusts. The choices you make about where your assets will go after you pass can affect people’s lives profoundly. This is why you must familiarize yourself about the basics of estate planning.

DEFINITION

In simpler terms, estate planning dictates how you would like to distribute your estate after your death. Your estate encompasses your properties, savings, and money. It makes sure that the people you love and the causes you care about are covered even after the inevitable event of death.

TRUSTS

As said above, estate planning primarily includes the creation of a will by appointing an executor. For individuals with higher net-worth, they may choose to create a trust in order to transfer their assets to pre-determined beneficiaries. Singapore is a prime financial hub for individuals with higher net-worth to set up their trusts. It is because the country is characterized by:

  • a business promoting environment,
  • a comprehensive legal system,
  • a globally competitive infrastructures,
  • a strategic geographic location, and
  • a robust set of regulations for the financial sector.

As trusts are used as a long-term tool, you must closely evaluate the pros and cons before setting one up. For instance, trusts are a viable option for vulnerable beneficiaries such as minors. However they can be costly and difficult to maintain.

TERMS

Here are the common estate planning terms that may boggle your mind at first:

  1. Alternate Beneficiary is an individual or an organization named to receive the assets in the unlikely event that the primary beneficiaries die.
  2. Co-Trustees are two or more people who had been named to coordinate in managing a trust’s assets.
  3. Durable Power Of Attorney For Asset Management is a legal document that bestows a person full or limited legal authority to sign your name on your behalf in your absence. Its validity ends at death.
  4. Gross Estate refers to the value of an estate before the debts are paid.
  5. Will is a written document that includes the instructions for allocation of assets after one’s death.
    Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

    Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1,  2, 3,  & 4

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7 Famous People Who Still Earn Millions Beyond The Grave

They may no longer be breathing in this world but they probably earn more in one year than most of us will in our entire lives!

These numbers, accumulated by Forbes, show the top earning dead celebrities in 2015…

7. JOHN LENNON

Yoko Ono’s soulmate that is better known as the singer-songwriter of the Beatles – John Lennon takes the 7th spot.

With a whopping total of US$12 million (S$16.9 million) in 2015, this iconic musician continues to share the revenue of his recorded and published music. Other ventures such as the Beatles-themed Cirque du Soleil show are also earning him money even after death.

6. MARILYN MONROE

One of the famous entertainers of the 50s is the dashing Marilyn Monroe. Although she died more than 50 years ago, her legend continues as the Authentic Brand Group bought the rights to her brand. Her branding consists of a lingerie line, clothing label, perfume, and spa treatments. In 2015, these earned her US$17 million (S$23.9 million).

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

This proves that her beauty still captivates the hearts of many!

5. ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Aside from her movies, this legendary leading lady has been reigning supreme in the celebrity fragrance business. One of her top fragrance called “White Diamonds” is still continuing to sell even after 24 years.

All in all, Elizabeth Taylor earned about US$20 million (S$28.1 million) this year!

4. BOB MARLEY

Bob Marley, a reggae superstar, may not be an outright entrepreneur when he was alive but he became one in his death. This is due to three reasons namely: his Marley Beverage Company, his House Of Marley, and his music royalties.

He really does not need to worry about money as he is still earning US$21 million (S$29.6 million) after his death!

3. CHARLES SCHULZ

It is rare to see people who cannot recognize who Snoopy and Charlie Brown is! With the release of the “Peanuts Movie”, their creator named Charles Schulz who died in 2000 earned about US$40 million (S$56.42 million) this year. He is said to be earning a cut from the licensing revenue of the popular comics too.

2. ELVIS PRESLEY

The King of Rock and Roll’s magic lives on until the present day as his brand and name is still earning an impressive amount of US$55 million (S$77.5 million). This is largely due to the sales of his albums, memorabilia, and Graceland ticket sales.

Elvis, we can’t help falling in love with you!

1. MICHAEL JACKSON

Smooth as his pipes were, Michael Jackson has been bringing home the bucks gracefully since young. Consistently, he has been earning triple-digit millions every year after his death in 2009. Thought that was thrilling? How about if I told you that he earned US$115 million (S$162.1 million) this year alone?

Well, his undying talent still drives the force of his Cirque du Soleil show, his Mijac Music catalogue, and his music royalties including the half of the Sony/ATV publishing empire.

See his everlasting career here:

Sources: 1 & 2

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