Checklist: What your children will need

Even with a will or an advanced directive in place, there is still more that you can do to prepare your family for the end of your life. It is important to remember that your family will be tasked with closing all of your personal affairs and that process is not always easy. Do they know where you keep your important documents? Do they know where to find your banking information or photo gallery? What about the contact information for your physician, lawyer or employer? Well, if you haven't thought about this yet, you are not alone. Many Canadians under-prepare for their own death and leave their families with little idea of where to begin with finalizing their affairs. We have compiled a list of some extremely helpful things that you can leave behind for your children to help them navigate your death from an administrative standpoint. In addition, our recommendations for how to map out keepsakes, photos, videos and music that may come in handy during the funeral planning process or play a role in the service itself.