When everyone’s entire life is a near-death experience, why is it so hard to talk about end-of-life planning? Friends and family members who have lost someone close to them should not have to struggle with how to guess what they would want after they are gone. End-of-life specialists can provide the peace of mind and freedom from fear with a plan to help walk people through the many options faced when death draws near.
According to their website, Good To Go! “was created to empower people to take control of a subject that many shy away from: advance planning for health care and death care.” The company was created by Amy Pickard, who lived through the sudden loss of her mother and faced the task alone of deciding how her mother would have wanted to her deal with details like paperwork, passwords, or what to do with personal items. Pickard realized she could help others decide what their priorities are around death in a fun, loving, and comfortable atmosphere. Good to Go! parties invite a “soul cluster” of friends and family to walk with the client through the logistics and handle the necessary paperwork in a stress-free way. Pickard states the Good to Go! “departure file” includes a living will template and instructions on how to compile all the other important details of a life, as well as funeral wishes.
Another end-of-life planner, Michelle Acciavatti, created Ending Well to teach people how to take control of their own end of life experience. She says, “My work is to help people face and embrace the fear that keeps them from living well. I educate people about their options at the end of life, but, hopefully, I also help them learn about themselves.”
Part of living is learning to be free from the fear of death. We are responsible for managing many, sometimes tedious aspects of our lives, like finances and preventive health care. Why not sensibly plan for our death as well? Although it takes some work to make planning for one’s own death fun, it is a kindness to provide the planning in advance for your loved ones.
Reality Changing Observations:
1. What advance plans have you made for your death?
2. Have you or anyone you know had to handle arrangements for a loved one after they died? If so, is there anything that could have made it easier.
3. How would you make end-of-life planning enjoyable?
