Death for dummies, pt 2: End-of-life planning

October is the spooky season and an excellent time for practicing memento mori. I’ll be sharing a death education feature each week this month. See the full series here.

Part 2: End-of-life (EOL) planning

Lesson one: No one can out-plan death. However, advance care and estate planning can significantly ease the process for you and your loved ones.

Lesson two: As death nears, things switch into a different gear. Consider discussing a plan to live well with your care team. Some families find meaning in legacy projects, such as writing letters or creating a memory object like a quilt, recorded stories, or a book of wisdom. And a vigil plan can provide structure, help caregivers, and support emotional connection. With everything, prepare to be flexible as the process unfolds.

Lesson three: Whenever possible, lean on one another and compassionate supports like hospice care, chaplains, and end-of-life doulas.

Peace to all. 🖤