Before passing away

The RA-WCom has advised all Aurovilians to plan ahead and make a living will in the event that one is unable to communicate one’s wishes when medical care is needed. Auroville’s Farewell Team has a form to fill out which states what has to be done with one’s physical body. The RA-WCom also advises making a testament which should cover what to do with one’s money in one’s Financial Service account – should it go to a person or be donated to a specified project or for unspecified use in Auroville; what to do with specific personal movable belongings (can one’s books go to the AV library and one’s clothes to the Freestore and can your friends choose keepsakes and mementos); who will do the clearing of your house; and if there are bank accounts in India, who is nominated to access the account(s). If there are other assets in India, it is recommended to make a testament with a local notary. 

Foreign nationals are advised to contact a local expert or the relevant diplomatic mission for advice on how to regulate one’s possessions abroad, as every country has different regulations regarding legality. In certain situations, testaments are needed, in others not. 

The RA-WCom also advised to include a ‘digital will’, e.g. to state what is to happen with everything that is online, including all social media, all photos as well as all documents on one’s computer(s), mobile phone(s) and other electronic devices. Lastly, the WCom advises to clean out one’s very personal belongings and provide notes for an obituary or write one’s own.