Glad someone finally mentioned that you may not die - you may be brain dead/persistent vegatative state.
Be sure you have a Living Will. Do not keep it locked in a safe. Keep it somewhere so that it can be grabbed quickly. This way, everyone will know your wishes. Mine is in my dresser drawer and I have told all sorts of people about it. Remember you may tell your spouse you don't want to be "hooked up" or perhaps you do, however, keep in mind mom may try and fight that. Make it as easy as possible for the family.
Of course insurance. You might say money is nothing in the big picture but trust me when your S.O. wants to mourn but can't because they have to worry about how to bury you - money is a big deal. There has just been a death of an SB member and guess what... NO insurance! This family is SOL and relying on the gratitude of others. Think about that before you go diving.
BTW, FWIW, you can download a Living Will for nothing. Fill it out (should take ten minutes or so for a basic one) and get it notarized. In no time, you have taken a huge burden off of your family and made your wishes known. Most banks will notarize for free if you have an account with them.
Here is a sample form for the state of florida:
LIVING WILL
(Florida Statutes 765-303)
Declaration made this _____ day of _______________________________________, 20_____, I, ___________________________________________________________________________, willfully and voluntarily make known my desire that my dying not be artificially prolonged under the circumstances set forth below, and I do hereby declare that, if at any time I am incapacitated and (initial as applicable)
________ I have a terminal condition
________ I have an end-stage condition
________ I am in a persistent vegetative state
and if my attending or treating physician and another consulting physician have determined that there is no reasonable medical probability of my recovery from such condition, I direct that lifeprolonging procedures be withheld or withdrawn when the application of such procedures would serve only to prolong artificially the process of dying, and that I be permitted to die naturally with only the administration of medication or the performance of any medical procedure deemed necessary to provide me with comfort care or to alleviate pain.
It is my intention that this declaration be honored by my family and physician as the final expression of my legal right to refuse medical or surgical treatment and to accept the consequences for such refusal.
In the event that I have been determined to be unable to provide express and informed consent
regarding the withholding, withdrawal, or continuation of life-prolonging procedures, I wish to
designate, as my surrogate to carry out the provisions of this declaration:
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Zip Code: ___________________
Phone: _____________________
I understand the full import of this declaration, and I am emotionally and mentally competent to make this declaration.
Additional instructions (optional):
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Signed: _______________________________________________________________________
Date: ______________________________
Witnesses:
1. Signature: __________________________________________________________________
Printed Name: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
2. Signature: __________________________________________________________________
Printed Name: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________