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A simple checklist for making sure your obituary honors and informs.When a loved one has passed away, writing an obituary that honors their life can seem overwhelming. Dont worry - your obituary will honor their life simply by the act of you writing it. You want to celebrate your loved ones life and offer happy and enjoyable memories. You are helping to ease the pain of others simply by telling a story about your loved one.We hope that this checklist will take the stress and pressure off of you and allow you to honor your loved one. Remember, your funeral arranger is an experienced professional and is a valuable resource for writing the obituary.Include basic details about the persons lifeYou dont have to include all of this information, but here are the basics that are often included in an obituary. Choose the elements that are most relevant to your loved one: Age Any familial survivors Education Vocation When the person retired, if relevant Any military affiliations Any volunteer affiliations Include funeral informationFamily and friends often rely on an obituary for information on when and where a persons life will be celebrated, so your obituary will make it very simple for them to get that information (and will save you the hassle of having to answer lots of questions at a time when you would prefer not to be bothered with small details). You can include: Date and time of the funeral Place the funeral is being held Any viewing details Request for donations in lieu of flowers

Losing a loved one is a deeply emotional and challenging experience, and sometimes, it's not easy to find the right words to express sympathy when the loss occurs. If you didn't offer your condolences at the time, you may wonder if it's too late to do so now. In this guide, we'll explore the importance of expressing sympathy, even if some time has passed, and offer guidance on how to approach this sensitive situation.1. It's Never Too Late for SympathyGrief is a long and evolving journey. While immediate condolences are appreciated, sympathy can be meaningful and comforting at any stage of the grieving process. It's never too late to reach out and offer your support.2. Acknowledge Your DelayIf you feel uncomfortable about the time that has passed, it's perfectly acceptable to acknowledge it in your message. A simple phrase like, "I'm sorry I didn't reach out sooner," can convey your genuine intentions.3. Choose a Thoughtful MediumConsider how you want to express your sympathy. A handwritten letter, an email, a heartfelt message, or even a phone call can all be appropriate ways to offer your condolences.4. Be Sincere and CompassionateWhen you reach out, express your sympathy with sincerity and empathy. Use kind and understanding language, and let the grieving person know that you care about their well-being.5. Keep It SimpleYou don't need to offer long explanations or profound insights. A heartfelt "I'm sorry for your loss," or "I'm thinking of you during this difficult time," can convey your sympathy effectively.6. Offer Specific HelpIf you are genuinely willing and able to assist, consider offering specific help, such as running errands, providing a meal, or simply being available to listen if they want to talk.7. Respect Their SpaceGrief can be a highly personal experience, and some individuals may not be ready to engage in conversation. Respect their boundaries and allow them to respond or not respond as they feel comfortable.8. Follow UpAfter expressing your sympathy, follow up with a message or gesture of support in the coming weeks or months. Grief can be isolating, and knowing that someone cares can make a significant difference.9. Accept Their ResponseUnderstand that the grieving person may respond in various ways. Some may appreciate your message immediately, while others may need more time to process it. Your intentions matter, even if the response is not immediate. Expressing sympathy, even after some time has passed since a loved one's death, can offer comfort and support to those who are grieving. It's a compassionate gesture that shows you care about their well-being and acknowledge their pain. Remember that grief has no set timeline, and your sympathy can be a source of solace during a challenging journey. Reach out with sincerity, offer your support, and be open to their response, respecting their pace and feelings as they navigate their grief. Your gesture of sympathy can make a meaningful difference in their healing process.

Selling a home that has been lived in for many years can be a difficult process whether a loved one has passed or is just moving into a nursing home.  Many memories have been made that hold a multitude of emotions and it is hard to let it all go.  Here are a few steps to help ease the stress of preparing your loved ones home for sale.Be PatientIf time isnt of the essence put a 60-90 day freeze on all decision making.  During that time leave everything in the home as-is except for expiring food, medicines, and anything else that could leave a bad odor.  This hold-over time period will give friends and family time to grieve, time to process the options, and time to remember the home exactly how it was while your loved one still lived there.Get Expert HelpA lawyer should be one of your first calls as they can help get the necessary paperwork in order such as a power of attorney and will.  They can also help you navigate through probate.  Seeking legal advice about selling a home is always advised as it can greatly affect the title of the home.Next, a realtor will be able to talk about all of your options when it comes to selling. Since a realtor doesnt have any emotional attachment to the house, they will be able to be matter of fact and tell you the current market value of the home.  A realtor will also let you know which items should be updated to get the most money out of the house.DeclutterIt can be difficult to let things go, but a house must be de-personalized in order to sell for top dollar. If the process is too difficult or daunting to do on your own, you might consider hiring an estate sale company to host an estate sale. If this is the route you go, it is best to step away from the process and let the professionals do their job.If you prefer to go through items yourself, consider hiring an appraiser or specialist to look at antiques to find out their true value.  Less valuable items can be donated so you know they are going to a good home. Non-profit businesses that are usually seeking donations include Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity Restores.Update/RepairsA lived-in home will have signs of wear & tear.  At a minimum fix cracked tiles, patch holes in walls, give the home a coat of fresh neutral paint, replace burned out lightbulbs, and remove curtains to let the most light in. You might also consider installing new carpet and flooring.To get the most money out of the home, consider doing a kitchen and bathroom remodel as those spaces tend to be the biggest selling points of a house. If you dont have time for a major renovation you can update simple items such as replacing light fixtures, faucets, and hinges. In the bathrooms add a few stacked washcloths tied with a ribbon, add lightly scented candles, and buy matching bathmats & towels in a light green, blue or white tone.Your realtor might also suggest hiring a professional stager, who will bring in contemporary furniture to enhance the homes attractiveness to potential buyers.Clean, Clean, CleanOne of the last steps inside the home is to give it a good cleaning.  If you dont mind putting in the elbow grease, then begin with washing the windows, vacuuming, dusting, wiping down all surfaces, and polishing appliances. You can also consider hiring a cleaning company, who can come in and make the home sparkle in just a few hours.Curb AppealLastly, spruce up the landscaping and front entrance of the home which might have become neglected.  Trim shrubs, add flowers, mow the lawn, give the front door a fresh coat of paint, and paint faded trim.  In addition, certain buyers loan types such as FHA & VA will require rotted deck boards be replaced, that peeling paint is fixed, and any broken windows be repaired.If you are ready to take the next step in selling, call lMike Lies with Gold Compass Real Estate at 303-325-5690.