Next of Kin Notification

[carolinarider09]

Wife and I were doing some stuff on line with a financial services company and it allowed us to add some next of kin information.

What came up next was, if we are on a road trip and have an issue that results in the demise of both of us, how will the next of kin be notified. 

I have a spot tracker I use that shows where we are on the road (but you have to look at it  online) and we have cell phones (my location is visible only to my wife).

But neither of these devices would show our demise.   Granted I am sure that authorities (if they were responding) would be able to get Drivers License or Registration information but their of these would result on our next of kin being notified.

So,,,,, the question is, what do you do or have that would ensure next of kin notification (if needed)? 

Do you have suggestions of what we should do to ensure next of kin notification. 

[Chrisj CMA]

Ya. Nothing. “They” have more tools than you know to track you ID you and find your next of kin. Don’t worry about it.

[Jess from VA]

Custom made dog tags? (old school, but maybe the most effective simple method)  Who will go through your wallet?  Tattoos are out.

Assuming both of your wills name the same (second choice) administrator (the first choice is always each other) of your estate (often the smartest or most responsible child), it would be a good practice to keep that person advised of your plans and general whereabouts when traveling (which is the highest probability of a joint death).


My (separated) wife checks in on me from time to time.

But if I pass away in my house (and not outdoors where I might be discovered), it might be weeks or a month or more before I'm found.  

I'll be beyond caring, but I hate to mess and stink up a nice house.  (and we've had that discussion)

All my paperwork, beneficiaries, joint ownership, and last will are all up to date.

BTW, when a married couple die together, they may not individually have identical reciprocal wills, beyond everything going to the surviving spouse.  And it can get pretty hinkey trying to determine who died first (to determine which of their two wills controls the entire estate).  Most states have probate laws for such cases that say it will be presumed they died at exactly the same time, when it is a close call.  

[..]

Sandras name is in my phone preceded by ICE - In Case of Emergencies.

As are 2 friends.

[Jess from VA]

Remember folks, if you die intestate with no will and have no known statutory beneficiaries, your estate escheats to the State.  No one should ever let that happen (on general principle).

So many people avoid ever creating simple wills (or plans for their demise) because they are uncomfortable dealing with the issue at all. 

   

[Oss]

when doing Wills for a couple I will ask if they pass at the same time if I can put in a
paragraph to the effect that if it cant be determined who died first that spouse A will be deemed the last to die

Inside my helmet I have written allergies and phone # for wife, clearly visible when shield is lifted

As long as my head is still attached to the helmet that should do it

[Jess from VA]

Poor OSS, they never found his head.   

[carolinarider09]

We just had our wills done and I think we covered those items.  The documents are secured but copies (electronic) exist on my QNAP NAS Server and our children have access codes (not they have ever used them it seems but......).

The helmet thing is not a bad idea.  My wallet is usually on me but I have a "man purse" I carry in the saddle bag with similar data.  If the bike does not burn or .......  That will have some documents. 

[Jess from VA]

I'd get a hard copy of each will to your second choice will administrator (with directions on how to get to the originals).  (the first choice administrator is probably each other)

Assuming such disclosure isn't likely to lead to any family conflicts.  

My estate is set up to avoid probate entirely, except for my house.  I'm not adding anyone as a joint owner, unless I linger long enough in my forthcoming certain death to do them a favor to add them in a warranty deed to avoid probate on that too.  Business is business.

A joint owner can take you to court for their half interest anytime they want; and humans can all be unpredictable.  

[John Schmidt]

Poor OSS, they never found his head.  

Reminds me of a joke I'll have to enter on the "joke" thread.  
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"....and humans can all be unpredictable."

And that's why I ended up in Wisconsin rather than still in the home I knew for nearly 30 yrs. in Florida. As soon as the funeral was over, all promises of days past went out the door.

[cookiedough]

on my cell phones wife and kids good enough and always travel with wallet or wife's purse.  Most anyone on my cell phone would know how to get ahold of wife or kids or brother.

One would assume since 1 of our 2 kids text usually the wife near daily that if neither of us answer back in 2-3 days something is wrong.

worries me a tad that my wife does not contact her mom more than say once per month her living alone age 79 but in otherwise good shape.  Her mom has been over with us lately her will and funeral arrangements and her financial mgr. is in Arizona we never talked to him ever but am sure if she passes he has all the info. needed.  Do not get me started on why Arizona vs. WI since her brother also in Arizona few years younger convinced her his company is good.

More so just recently my wife wanted to discuss funeral arrangements for her and me.  She wants to be  cremated NO funeral arrangements whatsoever since only immediate family for most part would show up like 4-8 people is all.  I sort of ignored the situation since no opinion really whether in urn or buried but I said if I go first which is likely the case she can do whatever she wants to me.  she said cremated no funeral like her,  so I guess fine with me.  

After my mom got funeral arrangements with funeral service was shocked to find out just cremation costs 5 grand vs. being buried 9-10K on average.  I thought cremation was not that expensive 3 grand or so?  Maybe was just the funeral place, not sure?

[Rams]

Sandras name is in my phone preceded by ICE - In Case of Emergencies.

As are 2 friends.

ICE and next of kin information is contained in my wallet and in my phone.   

When I had my bike crash and was laying on the asphalt unconscious, the LEO used my wallet information to call my wife.   My phone was in its locked or secure mode.   There's only so much you can do about situations like this. 

If I'm dead, then you can bet the local authorities don't want to pay for my disposal, they'll figure out who else can pay for that. 

Rams

[..]

Reminds me of a joke I'll have to enter on the "joke" thread.  
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"....and humans can all be unpredictable."

And that's why I ended up in Wisconsin rather than still in the home I knew for nearly 30 yrs. in Florida. As soon as the funeral was over, all promises of days past went out the door.

 

[3fan4life]

Sandras name is in my phone preceded by ICE - In Case of Emergencies.

As are 2 friends.

ICE and next of kin information is contained in my wallet and in my phone.  

When I had my bike crash and was laying on the asphalt unconscious, the LEO used my wallet information to call my wife.   My phone was in its locked or secure mode.   There's only so much you can do about situations like this.  

If I'm dead, then you can bet the local authorities don't want to pay for my disposal, they'll figure out who else can pay for that.  

Rams

I have (Wife) listed beside my wife's name in my phone and (Son) beside my son's. I've never considered the fact that my phone screen locks.

I guess that I should put that info in my wallet as well.

[Chrisj CMA]

I figure it’s kinda a thing to always have the drivers license on your person. I additionally always have my Military ID and CC license. I’m sure they can figure out who to notify. When they run your DL they get mountains of info. Not too worried and much less worried if I’m dead.

[f6gal]

Wife and I were doing some stuff on line with a financial services company and it allowed us to add some next of kin information.

What came up next was, if we are on a road trip and have an issue that results in the demise of both of us, how will the next of kin be notified.  

I have a spot tracker I use that shows where we are on the road (but you have to look at it   online) and we have cell phones (my location is visible only to my wife).

But neither of these devices would show our demise.   Granted I am sure that authorities (if they were responding) would be able to get Drivers License or Registration information but their of these would result on our next of kin being notified.

So,,,,, the question is, what do you do or have that would ensure next of kin notification (if needed)?  

Do you have suggestions of what we should do to ensure next of kin notification.  

Keep your preference for notification in your wallet... "In case of emergency, contact ___________."
That way they have your permission.

[bassman]

M’be a “sticky note” on the back of your DL with phone passcode and who to contact in case of………?

[carolinarider09]

Actually part of the process is that we are in the planning stages for "final" arrangements. We want to make it as easy as possible for family so we will be doing a "pre-paid" kind of thing here. 

The issue, therefore. would be transportation of the remains it things happened say in Outer Sabolvia.

[Jess from VA]

Actually part of the process is that we are in the planning stages for "final" arrangements. We want to make it as easy as possible for family so we will be doing a "pre-paid" kind of thing here.  

The issue, therefore. would be transportation of the remains it things happened say in Outer Sabolvia.

I'm in the process of prepaid cremation.  One phone call (of where you are, dead) is supposed to be all you have to do and they handle it (unless someone wants the ashes).  The kind I want is good anywhere in CONUS and they handle you locally (so no ride home to funeral home, ceremony, plot and stone $$$, which neither I nor family (2) want; and a pile of money with better uses, but of course a very personal choice).  My folks have/had the same plan.

[Jess from VA]

I figure it’s kinda a thing to always have the drivers license on your person. I additionally always have my Military ID and CC license. I’m sure they can figure out who to notify. When they run your DL they get mountains of info. Not too worried and much less worried if I’m dead.

The question is;  If you and Judy buy the farm together (usualy away from home), who do YOU want called (which for some people might also include one or more people who do they definitely do not want called).

Instead of leaving it up to the system to start looking and calling anyone they can find.

Chances of it happening are small, but....

[Jersey mike]

On my phone I have at the top of the contacts “ATTENTION POLICE/EMS instead of phone info i have “SEE NOTES”. On my note pad I have several instructions regarding my demise and or severe injury as well as pertinent contact info. My phone is unlocked when I’m out riding or away from home.

[Chrisj CMA]

I figure it’s kinda a thing to always have the drivers license on your person. I additionally always have my Military ID and CC license. I’m sure they can figure out who to notify. When they run your DL they get mountains of info. Not too worried and much less worried if I’m dead.

The question is;  If you and Judy buy the farm together (usualy away from home), who do YOU want called (which for some people might also include one or more people who do they definitely do not want called).

Instead of leaving it up to the system to start looking and calling anyone they can find.

Chances of it happening are small, but....

Well Jess. We don’t have anyone on the no call list. I’m sure if they call a son, daughter or parent the word will get spread very quickly. Not sure what the protocol is but I’m sure they have done this a time or two.

[Moonshot_1]

My plan is not to die.

So far, so good.


Probably jinxed it now.

We got the wills and legal stuff done just in case Plan A fails.

The thing I am not sure of, and pretty sure my wife isn't either is what we need to do, legally, to not vote Democrat after we pass.

[Rams]

M’be a “sticky note” on the back of your DL with phone passcode and who to contact in case of………?

Most likely depends on the cause of one's demise, might not do any good in situations where the phone gets broken or disabled in some way.   I don't think there's a perfect answer out there.   It's sufficient for me to have that information in my wallet and phone.   

With my luck, I'll be a victim of a carjacking where the thief steals my wallet and phone while taking my vehicle after he shoots me.   I doubt they'll call my ICE numbers.

Rams

[carolinarider09]

Thanks for all the response.   I will keep my current methods intact. 

I will have the SPOT tracker and it is stored in a spot (no pun intended) were I or my wife, riding behind me, can reach.  Unless the bike is totaled, it should be at least nearby.  The SOS on the spot tracker should help locate us or provide our location to SPOT and I think those on the list.

We have all our medical information (cards and stuff) but that could be destroyed since it is carried on my person.  My wife's stuff is in the saddle bag.  So two separate locations.

We spoke with a funeral director a couple of days ago and basically determined that if we meet our end say over 100 miles from home, and next of kin is notified, funeral preparations will be handled locally with the assistance of the funeral home we have a contract with (well contract is not the correct term but its close). 

I also have Medjet but it will expire in August of this year.  It looks like continuing the use of this service might not be finically reasonable due to age.  But, we shall see.  Medjet provides needed transportation in the event of a major "event". 

The only other things I need to do is to keep in good health so riding can be done and to keep the bike I am riding well maintained. 

[JimmyG]

Want to eliminate funeral expenses altogether?  think about donating your body to science.  My uncle hated the funeral rip-off business and arranged for his body to be given for research.  Bam, they took care of everything, and if I am not mistaken, once done, they cremated what remained and returned it to my aunt.  Now that is beating the system.
 

[Rams]

Want to eliminate funeral expenses altogether?  think about donating your body to science.  My uncle hated the funeral rip-off business and arranged for his body to be given for research.  Bam, they took care of everything, and if I am not mistaken, once done, they cremated what remained and returned it to my aunt.  Now that is beating the system.
 

Yep, have an aunt that did the same thing.  Her ashes were spread in a location she chose. Had an acquaintance that committed suicide with a handgun/head shot.   Wanted his body to go to Univ. of KY for study.   His family was told that they don't accept such bodies.

 Another option one might consider is the body farm where they let the cadavers naturally decompose so to study and learn for forensic information.  

Rams

[3fan4life]

Saw this commercial the other day:

https://www.ispot.tv/ad/qeWo/apple-watch-series-7-bobs-911-call


It looks like a great idea.

If I weren't so Anti Apple, I'd consider one.

[carolinarider09]

Sorry to revive and old thread but one of the things we found, during our consultations with the local funeral home, was there is a company that will, for a price, ensure transportation of my/our remains to the (his) funeral home. 

Its provided by American Pre-Arrangement Services, INC.

Suppose to be useful anywhere in the world but......  I will never know 

As of today we have taken all the necessary steps.  Well there might be a few left......   "forgiveness".   I will have to work on that. 

[Serk]

I'll die bitter at American Airlines over something related...

My grandfather was the VP of Marketing for TWA from the 40's through the 60's, helped set up lots of international sites, etc...

One of their employee benefits was a "Final Flight" benefit. When American Airlines bought TWA they assured all that they'd honor their commitments such as that.

When my grandmother died, they told us to pound sand and refused to honor their commitment...

Not 100% related to the topic at hand, but reminded me of it and needed to vent...

[Jess from VA]

Want to eliminate funeral expenses altogether?  think about donating your body to science.  My uncle hated the funeral rip-off business and arranged for his body to be given for research.  Bam, they took care of everything, and if I am not mistaken, once done, they cremated what remained and returned it to my aunt.  Now that is beating the system.
 

When my mom and dad were at WVU (late 40s), they used to give tours through the new medical school.  My mom tells the story about the medical students working on a cadaver in the operating theater (with elevated viewing behind glass), put a bag of chipped ham down in the cadaver, and then they reached in and took hand-fulls and ate it.  People blew lunch, and they made them knock it off.  

The people on the tours were likely alumni with money to donate to the school. (and this wasn't helping)

[carolinarider09]

Now that is funny Jess. 

[old2soon]

          My D L is ALWAYS with me when I travel. They run my vehicle tags they come back to me. My cell is Not locked. My Brother is at the TOP of the frequent call list. Already set up for my Brother to access safety deposit box when I pass. S I L made my will for me. Some one mentioned I won't know if this or that is done upon my death. I have 3 songs I'd like played at the funeral. Willy Nelson-City of New Orleans Tennessee Ernie Ford-Old Rugged Cross and The Royal Scot Dragoon Guards Amazing Grace. Course I'll Never Know whether or not my last wish has been fulfilled. Cremation. da prez is fabbing up an urn for me. M/C and Military overtones. As a Veteran I'll receive Full Military Honors and a P G R  escort. And some of my ashes to be scattered on the highway on my last Ride. Spent most of my life crisscrossing AMERICA in an 18 wheeler. RIDE SAFE.

[ridingron]

...  After my mom got funeral arrangements with funeral service was shocked to find out just cremation costs 5 grand vs. being buried 9-10K on average.  I thought cremation was not that expensive 3 grand or so?  Maybe was just the funeral place, not sure?      

Yikes!!! Had a friend cremated a few years ago. What he wanted. I didn't shop around at all. It was $900. Ashes went to the beach. Also what he wanted. Maybe because of a volume business here in "God's waiting room". (Florida)

[John Schmidt]

...  After my mom got funeral arrangements with funeral service was shocked to find out just cremation costs 5 grand vs. being buried 9-10K on average.  I thought cremation was not that expensive 3 grand or so?  Maybe was just the funeral place, not sure?      

Yikes!!! Had a friend cremated a few years ago. What he wanted. I didn't shop around at all. It was $900. Ashes went to the beach. Also what he wanted. Maybe because of a volume business here in "God's waiting room". (Florida)

Yes, it must be location or possibly the funeral outfit. When Rita passed in 2019, the entire out of pocket cost was just under $3k. That was for cremation, the cherry wood ashes container, and the funeral service, plus the cost of extra death certificates. The funeral home contacted SS along with a copy of the death cert., letting them know she had passed. I was given the majority of her ashes in the container I chose, her kids got a small bag to divvy up between the three. I was surprised at the weight of the ashes, especially considering she only weighed about 70 lbs. at death. Will be 3 yrs. in May, still stings from the loss.

[RDAbull]

I wear a neck chain with a medical ID tag.  It also has a road ID dogtag with my contacts, birth date, blood type and directive's.  All of our stuff is in place, there will be no probate estate.

My wife and I have agreed that our bodies go to the University of Cincinatti medical school, or the nearest medical school if I'm on the road.  Their problem to get rid of the remains when they are done with it. My last chance to teach.  I have already written the letter to the students that is to be delivered with mine.  I had more fun in there than you guys are going to have with it.

No funeral or service of any kind.
You are alive, then you're dead.  Move on everybody.