Tax Filing and Funeral Planning Tips to Reduce Stress
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/04/01 - Updated: 2026/01/20
Publication Type: Instructive / Helpful
Category Topic: Taxation - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides practical guidance on managing two of life's most stressful obligations: tax preparation and funeral planning. Drawing from expert advice by funeral planning author Gail Rubin, the piece offers five actionable strategies that apply to both areas - dealing with matters directly rather than avoiding them, planning ahead to save money, organizing important documents, maintaining thorough records, and making decisions that reflect personal values. The content proves particularly valuable for seniors, people with disabilities, and their families who may face additional challenges when handling these responsibilities, as it simplifies complex processes into manageable steps that can be implemented gradually throughout the year rather than in crisis moments - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Death and taxes are life's two certainties, here we list simple steps to relieve the stress related to these unavoidable prospects.
While death and taxes are both inevitable, we get much more practice preparing our taxes than doing funeral planning or organizing memorial services.
Gail Rubin, author of A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die, speaks regularly to groups on getting the funeral planning conversation started. She offers these helpful tips to reduce the stress of addressing death and taxes:
Main Content
Deal With It
Neither the Tax Man nor the Grim Reaper will wait when the appointed time comes. Just as talking about sex won't make you pregnant, talking about funerals won't make you dead.
Plan Ahead to Save Money
Smart taxpayers look at all the angles for making the most of deductions before the end of the year. Smart consumers pre-plan their funerals so they know the substantial costs involved and can figure out how to afford a meaningful "good goodbye."
Collect Important Information
Taxpayers who place all their W-2, 1098, 1099 and other tax forms in one place make it easier when it's time to file. Have one place for the will, advance directives, veteran discharge papers, personal information, and people to contact - it makes it much easier having important information all in one place.
Keep Good Records
Knowing your income and expenses for the year simplifies accurate, complete tax preparation. Knowing a person's birthplace, social security number, mother's maiden name, family contacts, and other information can save family members much stress at a time of grief.
Make It Meaningful
Charitable contributions made before the end of the year can help reduce taxes while helping the taxpayer's favorite causes. Discussing preferences for an end-of-life celebration, before there's any death or illness, gives family members helpful insights to create a meaningful ceremony when the time comes.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: What makes this approach refreshing is its recognition that avoidance doesn't make difficult tasks disappear - it just makes them harder when they can no longer be postponed. The parallel strategies for tax filing and funeral planning reveal something deeper: both situations demand we confront uncomfortable realities, but preparation transforms obligation into opportunity. For older adults and those managing health conditions, having these systems in place before they're urgently needed can mean the difference between family members scrambling during a crisis and being able to focus on what truly matters. The real wisdom here isn't just about filing forms or making funeral arrangements - it's about giving yourself and your loved ones the gift of clarity when everything else feels uncertain - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.