Farewell……

"The Demise of Darby or Joan"

I had hoped that my first article for REVIEW would be a light and airy one just to get things going. Instead, I have been tasked with writing an article about a not very happy subject — death. There, I've said it.

So many of us hedge around the subject knowing full well that it is ever present and at some time will affect us all.

What can we do to ease the burden of passing? The short answer is prepare — and I believe responsible people will do just that.

"How can I prepare?", I hear you say, "go out and buy a casket?" There is but one short answer to that, YES! At least by doing that much you will have relieved part of the financial burden.

In talking about funerals, there is also an important matter to decide upon here, and that is the type of funeral you would like. Would you prefer burial, cremation or perhaps the bequeathing of your body to a Medical School?

Now that you have come this far, you should also consider the state of your personal affairs and make sure that they are as you would wish to leave them. This includes things like leaving your personal documents, keys etc., in known places (just where is that Birth Certificate?); having your bank accounts put into joint names; giving your next-of-kin or executor a personal profile, this helps when it comes to registering the death.

"Done!" you say, "I'm all prepared!"

Or are you? Having made all of these plans, have you let anyone know what they are, where your Will is lodged, who your Executor is? No matter how simple or elaborate, your plans will not work unless you discuss them with someone, preferably the people they will effect the most — your loved ones.

The death of a loved one may cause you short or long term money problems, fortunately there is assistance available. There are funeral grants available through both War Pensions and WINZ and depending upon circumstance, one or the other may be applied for and in the case of the War Funeral Grant, there are service conditions that apply.

If you feel that you require assistance with funeral expenses, discuss your problem with your Funeral Director, RSA Welfare Officer or the Community Officer at your local hospital, before you make any funeral arrangements. Any or all of these people will be able to give you advice.

There is no need for anyone to feel alone and lost at a time like this. If you feel you need assistance, advice or just a shoulder to cry on, just remember your RSA Welfare Officer, he or she may not have all of the answers but will be equipped to offer assistance and comfort.

Wondering why this article opens with — I had hoped my first… Well, as this is to be my final column I decided to go back in time and reproduce highlights from my very first piece. Oddly enough the subject is as important today as it was all that time ago.

So there you have it… Let the First be Last…

During my almost 14 years with RNZRSA, I have prepared submissions for and represented, in the vicinity of, 540 appellants at some 99 sittings of the War Pensions Appeal Board, visited many of the RSAs around the country and met and worked with very many wonderful people.

To you all, thank you.

Tere Putland