Welcome back! It's good to see you again. Please note that I am now publishing all new material at my hub site: In Context Blog

My wife’s best friend of years and years has been preparing to take a sabbatical. He saved all of his nickels and dimes in order to go on a road trip around the country, no destination - just a journey. He wanted to figure out what to do with the rest of his life, and thought that expanding his horizons might help.

T.K. passed away suddenly on Monday.

My wife only found out yesterday (Weds.). A former co-worker and mutual friend called her at work, and we spent most of the afternoon on the phone and on the computer getting information on what had happened and making arrangements for her to fly to Connecticut for the funeral.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding exactly what happened before T.K. was discovered late Monday by his roomate. Unfortunately, some of these questions revolve around what T.K. had in mind for funeral and other arrangements, as he left no will or other document.

T.K. was a fun-loving guy of 37, and it is very likely that he thought that he did not need to worry about things like a will, that he had plenty of time. Now his family and friends, including my wife, will have to do the best they can to recall what T.K. might have said or indicated about his final arrangements.

What you must do for your family and friends

Talk with your family and friends about your last wishes, and let them know where to find the important documents that they will need when you are gone. Take some time and put these items on your Next Actions list for this week:

• Prepare a “Last Will and Testament” and update it every year.
• Prepare a “Living Will” and power of attorney for health care, discuss this with your physician.
• Make a list of valuable and sentimental possessions, and who you wish to inherit them.
• Name an executor of your estate.
• Put one set of copies of these documents in a Safe Deposit Box at your bank, and give a copy of the initial set to your executor.
• Give a key for the safe deposit box to your spouse, the executor, and one other adult whom you trust.
• Post (in a conspicuous place in your home) a list of contact information for - your spouse, your children, close friends and family, your physician, and your executor. Include telephone, physical address and email.
• Give a copy of this list to a close friend and your adult children.

It is important to address these issues now, when you don’t need the information. There will come a day when someone will need it, and your friends and family will appreciate having access to these important resources.

Update: Bonus tip from Rolf Katzenberger in the Comments: “…one more point to add: consider becoming an organ donor and keep the respective documents in your wallet wherever you go. I do it.”