New online tool helps South Africans prepare for practical side of death

Karin Meyer, owner of dear-diary.co.za is tackling the uncomfortable but crucial topic of post-death logistics with a new tool designed to help families access essential information after a loved one’s passing.

Meyer has developed a 30-page digital guide that allows users to store passwords, PINs, banking details, and other sensitive information needed to manage estates efficiently.

She emphasises that the tool covers practical details often overlooked in traditional estate planning, including access to email, electronic accounts and two-factor authentication.

"Most of us will have our will set out, we'll have our life insurance, we'll have our funeral policy, but in the case of a death plan, it covers more logistical, practical things that we tend not to think of because it's not spoken about very often.

"This is something that you can sit together with your spouse or alone and fill in.

Should it happen that you pass away, your family willhave access to all the information that they need to be able to handle your estate and your practical aspects of your life in a much more calm and easier way rather than going through the chaos of not knowing where anything is."

Meyer advises that access should be given to someone trusted and capable of staying focused during a bereavement.

"It has to definitely be someone that you trust with your entire heart. I would actually probably recommend that you give it to whoever the person is that handles your will. But the chances that you pass away along with your spouse are also not that small. If it should happen that you both pass away at the same time in a car accident or whatever, then it would be really good for someone else to have access too maybe a parent, a best friend. Anyone you know who will not use those passwords before your death."

The tool is available online, with the completed digital file sent directly to the user’s email after purchase, eliminating the need for physical documents or shipping.

Meyer hopes it will give families peace of mind during an emotionally difficult time and make estate management simpler and less stressful.

To listen to Karin Meyer in conversation with CapeTalk's Africa Melane, click the audio below: