A valid and up-to-date will
All papers in order and easily found
Give away those things to people you want them to have; coming from you will mean a lot more than coming from the lawyer or executor
Talk to your executor; make sure he/she really understands your wishes
Have your funeral plans, plot, etc. detailed
Let them know what you want at the funeral - my mom wanted me to get her a dressy purple dress to be buried in
Tell your family you will miss them but they need to carry on
Get with your financial planner and put your beneficiaries on your investments. Doing so and making them payable on your death means it does not have to go through probate and be taxed. Those you leave it to, get access to it right way.
It is very hard for those who are left to figure out what you may have wanted or who should get this or that. It can create infighting. Giving away your treasured guns, fishing equipment, sentimental jewelery, etc will mean so much if you do it ahead.
