The art of dying as well as you lived

Today I turn 100 To be accurate today this column completes 100 IMHO or In My Humble Opinion began 100 weeks ago Its considered extraordinary to hit 100 as a human being May you live to be a 100 is a common blessingThe UN estimates the world will have 32 million centenarians by 2050 The USA leads with about 80000 while Japan in second place has an estimated 47700 and is home to the oldest living person on earth Kane Tanaka who turned 117 on January 2On that day 27 people in Hubei province had already tested clinically positive for the virus now known as SARSCov2 No one had died yet though soon everyone would know that the novel coronavirus preferred the old and enfeebled As I write this three months later 1311533 people worldwide are sick with this virus 50858 of them in critical condition Totally 114270 have diedThe virus meanwhile has acquired a taste for humans of all ages It can subtract a person from your life with a few moments notice and no time for goodbyes last words regrets or hugs Death will come alone with loved ones watching helplessly through thick glassThe virus has a question you who lived so well what can you do to ensure that you die as splendidly as you lived This is the topic of my 100th columnDying well means tying up your lifes loose ends well in time not leaving a chaotic mess for your loved ones to sort out You depart with grace and dignity knowing that your last chapter was written by you This simple list requires only a little regular time and thought from you while you are alive1 Make a Last Will Most people die without making one leaving their relatives to deal with years of legal and bureaucratic tangles debts and paperwork Be smart make your Last Will as soon as you start owning things Online sites will walk you through questions and compile your answers into a draft Last Will Revise this every year as your circumstances changeDesignate a trusted executor or better yet leave it with a lawyer to whom you have given power of attorney2 Make a Living Will Also known as the Advanced Care Directive this is for that helpless condition in which youre alive but can no longer communicate perhaps because of paralysis Alzheimers or a ventilator going into you The Living Will spells out your wishes in matters of resuscitation intubation or being kept alive in a vegetative stateLeave your Living Will with a sibling or close relative someone likely to be present during a medical crisis3 Plan your funeral Its your death why should someone else pay for it Research your rites of passage and make choices of how and where you would like to be interred Cost every item related to the disposal of your mortal remains Create a funeral expenses fund perhaps a joint account with someone you trust or even money in a sealed envelope in a safe4 Acknowledge kindnesses Our lives are full of kindnesses as much as they have misfortunes Keep a record of these Samaritans who reaffirmed your faith in basic human decency with their contact details Thank them personally if health permits If not make sure their names will be read out and acknowledged for their kindnesses after you pass6 Say your sorries We all owe apologies subordinates judged unfairly colleagues treated shabbily loved ones let down Draw up a list of those you have wronged with their contact details Meet them if possible revisit that moment and say youre sorry In the worst case leave behind letters for despatch to each of them after youre gone7 Sort out your online afterlife What should happen to social media profiles with their media posts photos thoughts chats after you are gone Facebook lets designated survivors delete such accounts or convert them into memorials in your aftermath Google has the Inactive Account Manager through which you can control what happens to your account when you stop using Google ie kick the bucket8 List your passwords Make a list of your login credentials for your bank accounts online banking credit and debit cards investment portfolios and taxrelated information like PAN and Aadhaar Dont forget logon details for your devices and email accounts Oh and secret questions too9 Who should be told Who should be told at once Within hours Individually By email within 24 hours Who should be informed about the cremation or burial Leave the list with a trusted friend a close relative and a lawyerNow go live your life to the fullest May you live to be a 100Here viewed from there C Y Gopinath in Bangkok throws unique light and shadows on Mumbai the city that raised him You can reach him at cygopigmailcomSend your feedback to mailbagmiddaycomThe views expressed in this column are the individuals and dont represent those of the paperCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news