Guest Post: Grief, Legacy, and Peace of Mind: Why Planning Ahead Matters
I recently met Sarah Kendrick, founder of RHEA Services, and had a truly insightful conversation with her. Sarah works at the intersection of estate planning and day-to-day household management, a space that becomes increasingly important as loved ones reach end of life.
I found our discussion so valuable that I asked her to share her expertise directly with you. Below is a guest post she graciously wrote, highlighting how her services can support families during some of life’s most complex transitions. Conversations like these are part of our commitment to helping you and your family stay prepared, organized, and supported. Knowing where important information is stored is critical to easing the pain of a loss of a loved one. I would be more than happy to make an introduction.
By Sarah Kendrick: Grief, Legacy, and Peace of Mind: Why Planning Ahead Matters
It only takes a moment to realize how fragile life really is - one phone call, one diagnosis, one unexpected loss, and suddenly the world has completely changed.
Those moments bring perspective, but they also reveal how much of what we do every day lives only in our minds: the routines we manage, the passwords we know by heart, the bills we pay, the responsibilities we juggle without thinking.
When someone else suddenly has to step in without that knowledge, grief often collides with confusion. The emotional weight of loss is heavy enough, but the practical realities can make it feel impossible to breathe.
The grief is deep, but so is the pressure. Even in the midst of loss, life doesn’t pause. The bills still need to be paid. Work still calls. The house, the kids, the pets, they all still need care. Yet there’s rarely time to stop and figure out what life looks like now, especially when your loved one held critical information you no longer have access to.
That scramble? That chaos? That’s why I started my business, RHEA Services.
I’ve seen what happens when families are left in the dark, trying to guess passwords, find accounts, or piece together routines for a child or adult who depends on them. But I’ve also had the privilege of helping people prepare ahead of time, so their loved ones are equipped, not overwhelmed, if something happens.
There’s no way to make loss easy. But there’s a lot we can do to make it easier.
That’s why I’m proud to partner with Alex and other professionals like him who are helping you create your legacy of peace.
While Alex is supporting you with the financial side of planning, you may also be working with an estate attorney to put legal documents in place. That’s a huge step and one that far too few people take. (Only 24% of Americans have a will, and that number is declining.)
If you’re among that 24%, congratulations! You’re ahead of the game.
If you haven’t gotten to it yet, let’s talk about why estate planning matters:
- Estate planning is about more than “who gets what.”
It’s about who will step in if you’re not available, temporarily or permanently. It’s about shaping what happens and how it happens, in the most ideal way for your family. - If you don’t decide, the state will.
If you pass without a will or updated beneficiaries, a court will choose who manages your estate and even who makes decisions on your behalf. Wouldn’t you rather make those choices yourself? - Planning brings peace of mind.
We all carry mental weight from the tasks we keep putting off. Finishing this work brings real relief, lightness, confidence, and the knowledge that your loved ones won’t be left scrambling.
But even strong financial and legal plans often leave behind one major problem: the everyday details your loved ones will need to carry on.
A recent article from The New York Times Wirecutter put it this way:
“Managing someone’s digital life after they pass can be nebulous and frustrating. If you don’t want your own loved ones to face the same roadblocks, it could be time to prepare your own digital will.”
This is exactly where my family and caregiver pre-planning services come in. I help you gather and organize the behind-the-scenes information: passwords, routines, contact lists, and care preferences, so your loved ones aren’t left scrambling when they need clarity most.
- Families: How are the bills paid? Where are the important documents? What are the passwords? Who feeds the dog or picks up the kids?
- Caregivers: If you’re responsible for someone else’s appointments, medications, meals, and routines, what happens if you can’t do that tomorrow? What systems are in place for continuity?
These are the kinds of questions we tackle together gently, practically, and with care.
Let’s Create Your Legacy of Peace
Whether this is something you’ve never considered or a task that’s been quietly sitting on your to-do list for too long, now is a great time to take the next step. Let’s have a conversation about how we can make life easier for you, and for those who count on you.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation. I’d love to help you put a plan in place that gives you confidence now and brings comfort later.
Guest Blogger, Sarah Kendrick, Founder of RHEA Services
RHEAServices.com
317-732-5181
Sarah@RHEAServices.com
Sarah Kendrick is the Founder of RHEA Services.
When Sarah Kendrick assisted her family in the aftermath of her grandmother’s passing, she recognized the profound need for care and support during the bereavement process. This experience led her to establish RHEA Services in 2020 as a heartfelt endeavor aimed at helping grieving families manage the details after their loved ones’ passing. During these estate closure engagements, Sarah uncovered another critical need—the importance of gathering essential information and processes in advance. Now, RHEA Services offers three comprehensive books and streamlined processes tailored to assist Families, Small Business Owners, and Caregivers in proactively collecting and organizing necessary information to avoid the frantic search for critical details during difficult times.