Preparation of Will and other legal docs

[bubbas_mom]

Hello,
Is there a “Catholic clause” that I may add to my Will to assure that, in the event of incapacity, a priest is called and sacraments are administered? I’d also like any end-of-life discussions (by my family) to include a priest. Thank you for any guidance you can give.

 

[1ke]

I know American Life League has a “loving will” at their website that speaks to advanced directives and healthcare that is in conformity with Catholic teaching.

If you want a Catholic priest called for anointing, communion to the sick, last rites, etc, I suggest you talk that over with your estate planning attorney regarding putting something in your power of healthcare documents or making advanced notification to your local hospital and nursing home facilities. The will is not the right place for that, as it is only active after you have died. Your funeral arrangements should also be somewhere other than in your will, so talk it over with your attorney and the funeral home. You can make advanced arrangements for your funeral with the funeral home and your priest.

 

[bubbas_mom]

Very helpful information, and I thank you.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

I agree with 1ke. Advance health care documents are the place where this goes. There are many forms out there, from standard ones that your attorney would add to your will, to more personalized ones.

The two most important things are that you have the conversation with your family and loved ones so they know and understand your wishes (especially the person that you designate your Health Care Proxy or power of Attorney) and then you get it in writing.

There is a good site that helps make the conversation easier to have called The Conversation Project.
theconversationproject.org

Also, remember that the Advance Health Care Directives are state based. Perhaps your Diocese has forms that can be used in your local area.

We all should be doing this work.

 

[acadiANNA]

My father carried a card in his wallet with his driver’s license, that in dire emergency, please call a Catholic priest. Mostly in case of a traffic accident. Last year, the family requested a Priest for my brother-in-law. The hospital staff had two Catholic Priests who visited patients and one was called who came and gave him the Anointing of the Sick. I would be sure to put that in my hospital chart (if in the hospital). You can just compose it on a whole sheet of paper and give it to the nurse to keep in the chart. He had been anointed several times before when he had been critical. The Priest left a printed page with the Church letterhead with blanks to fill in that This is to certify that _____ has received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on ________ . The Priest signed his name on the bottom line. We were glad Father left the paper because it assured us he was anointed when we weren’t there. I agree, everyone should make this preparation. Also, if you become incapacitated, someone in the family should know about it.

 

[peter26]

One thing you might consider putting in your will is a bequest perhaps to a missionary society or religious order so that some Masses can be said for your soul. That’s probably a good investment for any of us.

 

[Dmitri77]

My father carried a card in his wallet with his driver’s license, that in dire emergency, please call a Catholic priest.

I have a card like that in my wallet that states that I am an Orthodox Christian and to please contact a priest. I even gave the priest’s name and telephone number. As to funeral arrangements I’ve discussed my wishes with my wife, my sister and my best friend. Also we are lucky to have a funeral home in the area that is well versed in Orthodox funeral practices so that will be the funeral home that we use when I leave this world.