What was the first thing that crossed your mind when you read the title of this article? “That’s quite bold. How could they talk about death like that?” That’s the thing, though. We don’t talk about death quite often.
If there are ever two things that we all share, it’s life and death. All of us were given the opportunity to be born and experience life, and all of us will eventually die someday. That’s just one of the laws of nature, and we’re here to suggest that maybe it’s time we pay more attention to death and how we can prepare our families for it.
Death: A Taboo
We can’t, or at least find it difficult, preparing for death if we’ll always look at it as something that must not be spoken of. If you think not talking about death is nothing but a communication problem, think again.
Not touching the subject of death means limiting access to palliative care, not having a plan for your family when you die, family disputes, and unexpected expenses. All of these problems can be solved if we simply open ourselves to the possibility of death and how our families and we can prepare for it.
Preparing for Your Death
If you’re willing to take the next step and make a difference in how we view death and how important it is to be discussed within your family, we’re here to help you out. Below are some of the things you can do to prepare for your death:
Have a Plan
The first thing you need to do is to have a plan. Whether you are terminally ill or not, having a plan is important because you’ll never know when you’re going to die. It’s not scheduled. That’s not how it works. A plan should include what you want to happen to your body should you face an unexpected death, a step-by-step process of your funeral and how you’re going to pay for it, and maybe wishes or instructions for the future of the ones you will be leaving behind.
Write Your Will
Once you have a plan, you’re going to need to transfer some of them into something more tangible and concrete. That’s where writing a will and testament becomes necessary. This would include how your assets and estates shall be divided into your family members and who will make decisions for you when you can’t do it yourself. If you fail to write this important document, the state would be the one to do it for you. Do you really want someone else to take control of your death? Not to mention, a good deal of your assets will be used to pay the state for this service.
Eulogy for the Living
One thing that may have never sit right with you is why do they hold eulogies for someone who died? Doesn’t that just make eulogies a list of reminders or a checklist for the living? We’d like to go against the grain and suggest that you hold a eulogy for the living. Whoever said that it’s inappropriate, right? This way, you’d have the best memories to cherish on your final days. This also avoids feelings of remorse among your family members who might fail to say their goodbyes if you suddenly pass away. Additionally, holding a eulogy for the living might be a good way to help your family grieve your death.
Write a Letter
The thing about eulogies is that it’s a one-way form of communication, which means you will just listen to what they have to say to you. However, what if you also want to tell them something, right? That’s why writing letters to them might also be a good idea. You can tell them everything you want so that you will have no regrets when you die. A handwritten letter may also serve as a memento for them to remember you by in the years or decades to come.
Live a Good Life
Finally, preparing for death is not just about the things you do on your deathbed, but also the things you do in your entire life. A popular artist by the name of Mae West once said, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Living a good life is the best way to prepare for death because you will be in your final resting place, knowing you did everything you could to satisfy your expectations for the meaning of life itself.
It’s probably time that we stop seeing death as a sensitive subject. It’s the universal truth of life. Not talking about it will only make the lives of the people we leave behind a little harder. That’s something that should make you change your mind. Make sure you help your family through the grieving process by preparing for your death.
