Monday, December 26, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Plan Early for Last Days
This is a great article written by Mark Russell reminding us all about the importance of being prepared.
My father's death in October just before his 82nd birthday inspired me to focus on a topic rarely discussed at length but of vital importance: the need for advanced planning for the end of life. This is particularly true for working-class people such as my father, who in his 61 years of marriage to my mother always emphasized the need to be prepared.
Although many aspects of his departure were prepared in advance, there are always unseen and additional expenses as well as inflation. There is also a strong need for good and clear communication with those entrusted to caring for the needs of your loved ones as they transition to eternity. This applies not only to funeral and burial providers but legal issues as well.
Even a modest funeral service and burial can be costly to families of limited means. Without proper advance planning, grief can override rational decisions related to affordability and the wishes of the deceased.
My father was fond of saying that "funerals are for the living" and cautioned us that no one's casket was heaven-bound so we should not be extravagant in dealing with his death.
This is not an issue solely for those of advanced age. Death can strike anyone at any time of any age. A quick survey of my 40ish peers found few had a will, instructions or powers of attorney for a designated person in case they became impaired and could not make their own end-of-life decisions. Perhaps the most famous person of recent memory to have committed this oversight was the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The legacy of that oversight still plagues his surviving children to this day.
For low-income individuals and families these necessary arrangements can be even more burdensome because they often lack the financial means to procure legal assistance. This void represents a great opportunity for the Indiana legal community to fulfill its pro bono requirements. The Indianapolis Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic does offer this type of service for low-income residents as well as preventive legal education workshops on family law and other matters.
See you on the other side, Dad.
My father's death in October just before his 82nd birthday inspired me to focus on a topic rarely discussed at length but of vital importance: the need for advanced planning for the end of life. This is particularly true for working-class people such as my father, who in his 61 years of marriage to my mother always emphasized the need to be prepared.
Although many aspects of his departure were prepared in advance, there are always unseen and additional expenses as well as inflation. There is also a strong need for good and clear communication with those entrusted to caring for the needs of your loved ones as they transition to eternity. This applies not only to funeral and burial providers but legal issues as well.
Even a modest funeral service and burial can be costly to families of limited means. Without proper advance planning, grief can override rational decisions related to affordability and the wishes of the deceased.
My father was fond of saying that "funerals are for the living" and cautioned us that no one's casket was heaven-bound so we should not be extravagant in dealing with his death.
This is not an issue solely for those of advanced age. Death can strike anyone at any time of any age. A quick survey of my 40ish peers found few had a will, instructions or powers of attorney for a designated person in case they became impaired and could not make their own end-of-life decisions. Perhaps the most famous person of recent memory to have committed this oversight was the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The legacy of that oversight still plagues his surviving children to this day.
For low-income individuals and families these necessary arrangements can be even more burdensome because they often lack the financial means to procure legal assistance. This void represents a great opportunity for the Indiana legal community to fulfill its pro bono requirements. The Indianapolis Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic does offer this type of service for low-income residents as well as preventive legal education workshops on family law and other matters.
See you on the other side, Dad.
The full article can be viewed here: http://www.indystar.com/article/20111213/OPINION13/112130306/Mark-Russell-Plan-early-for-last-days?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7COPINION
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas won't be the same this year
For bereaved persons, it is important to acknowledge up front that it
won’t be the same this year. Things are not the same. Someone pivotal
in our lives is gone. Moreover, we are not the same persons. Death forever
changes the self we were before. Therefore, we cannot expect to “buck
up” and act as if nothing has changed. Everything has changed.
My monthly newsletter entitled "Stepping Stones" is a collection of short stories and poetry designed to aide those families and individuals currently grieving the loss of a loved one.
Grief During Christmas - How to Cope
won’t be the same this year. Things are not the same. Someone pivotal
in our lives is gone. Moreover, we are not the same persons. Death forever
changes the self we were before. Therefore, we cannot expect to “buck
up” and act as if nothing has changed. Everything has changed.
My monthly newsletter entitled "Stepping Stones" is a collection of short stories and poetry designed to aide those families and individuals currently grieving the loss of a loved one.
Grief During Christmas - How to Cope
Business & Technology | Money tip: Tips for budgeting a funeral | Seattle Times Newspaper
It's quite rare that an article involving Advanced Funeral Planning makes a paper such as the Seattle Times.
It's good information, however I disagree with their advice to not fund a Funeral Plan. I know I'm biased, but look at the benefits: You get to take time now to make wise financial decisions for the future; make your decisions free of emotional stress and pressure; find a comfortable payment plan that fits your needs and budget; benefit from the convenience of funeral insurance (subject to qualification); enjoy portability for your plan should you relocate; and have peace of mind and no regrets.
'via Blog this'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)