Whew, Terry from the sounds of things you're doing well now or at least you still have your wits about you! I do hope all is well and you've gotten a clean bill of health.
I recently had surgery and while checking in pre-surgery I was asked if I had a POA or a Will, to which I said "no" to both, my bad. I had thought before hand about the blood issue, and spoke to my doctor about it, and no, not because I would not accept a blood transfusion but because I have a rare blood type and he reassured me this wasn't necessary a "bloody" procedure, he didn't see a need to bank blood and that they hardly do that anymore. I had all the Labs, EKG and other test done before surgery.
The questions of a POA and a Will totally slipped my mind. I have all the paper work here at home to fill out the POA and will soon seek out an Attorney to draw up a Will, and get it all legal. I know too well that these things are for my living relatives having gone through all of this while taking care of my elderly Mother.
My Mom did something I think was very smart for a single, elderly, JW woman, she bought and paid for her cremation before her death which was a huge help for my brother and sisters, as well as the Congregation she was in. She went through this company for her services: http://www.neptunesociety.com/ I don't work for them but was very impressed with how they handled everything to her specifications and were extremely helpful to us in a very stressful, and emotional time. So I am happy to pass on their information for any interested ones.
As far as her services, she wished for a service at the kingdom hall and I honored that wish for her as well as I honored her wishes all the while I was her POA about the blood issue, knowing she would not want to have blood. The bulk of the arrangements for her service were on me as most of her JW children lived out of the country and I was close in town and knew most of the elders here due to taking care of her for the 4 years before her death, some of them I knew much longer. I have to say the congregation stepped up to the task and did all the arranging of music (I offered a different sound track!) And they did the printing of the program and again I offered a different poem to be used! They felt a scripture would be better! Their dime they got what they wanted and I felt Mom would want!
Imagine if you can a service at the kingdom hall with an Apostate (me) greeting the "friends" as they came in! And then imagine if you can, several of these elder's and their wives enjoying a meal with me (and my df'ed son) at a local restaurant! Awe.......maybe I shouldn't have? I can't help but think Mom would have been pleased, she loved the restaurant, Mexican food was her favorite!
So thanks again for the reminder and yes I do think it's very important to take care of these things before hand because we really never do know when we or our loved ones will need these important things to take care of our final days.
Good topic! Now I have homework to do while recuperating for the next 6 weeks before going back to work.
~ Kate