Back in December 2005 I read a post about the passing of a blogger and remember feeling how surreal it was for her photos and words to still live online. In that post, I had summarised what I would like to see happen with my blog and that I would give the passwords for all my online accounts to my parents sealed in an envelope along with instructions on what to do and who to contact in the event of my untimely death.

And as I’ve later realised, doing up a will is a very comforting feeling. Because even though we won’t be able to control how and when we’d die, at least we can control what happens after and how we would be remembered. With my funeral in particular, I want my smiling face plastered everywhere. Even better if the photos show me drinking and partying with friends because that is how I had live my life and how I would like to be remembered.

Going through my list of friends to contact also gave me a very warm feeling. I feel blessed that I would actually have so many friends whom I want to be contacted in that unfortunate event.

Plus until you actually sit down and do it, the number of online accounts which you have may surprise you. Besides the obvious stuff like your email and blog, there are bank and superannuation accounts, medical insurance, and share holdings. In an emotionally taxing time, I would prefer my love ones to have access to all that information to better deal with the situation.

So for two years now, I’ve been updating my “to-do” list every time before I go on a holiday. In fact I think it’s good to have it updated at all times anyway. Not only is it piece of mind for everyone concerned, I also think that it’s being considerate. Unless you don’t really care what happens to your stuff, virtual or otherwise.