“Hey Barbie, I do think about dying, glad you do too. Let’s talk about it!”
It’s never too early or too late to talk about dying, and no, you are not morbid for starting this discussion.
Death and dying can be a difficult topic to talk about, but discussing what should happen in the event of death can significantly reduce stress and will help to ensure that your wishes are respected after you are gone.
Normalize the conversation before an event or life-threatening diagnosis. I don’t suggest a dinner greeting: “Hey, Mom, can we complete your living will tonight?” But here are some items to consider when having your “let’s talk about dying” talk.
Tip: Also work on your plans (if you don’t already have one) while helping a loved one.
Choose a good time, be clear about your wishes, and be open to questions. It can be helpful to have written documentation to accompany the discussion. Conversations will greatly vary from person to person depending on age, friend or family support, health condition, and financial circumstances.
Health Care Decisions: Review the differences between an Advanced Directive and a Living Will. Identify someone as your healthcare proxy and communicate your wishes to them.
Prepare a Will: A will is a legal document identifying how to distribute your belongings after death. The legal requirements will depend on your state. Still, all will should include the name of the executor of your estate, the name of guardian(s) for any children (also consider your fur/pet babies), and a list with the distribution of assets.
Necessary Documentation: Gather important documentation such as IDs, passwords, account information, financial statements, mortgage documents, etc. Store in a safe location, and communicate this to the person identified who will handle your estate when the time comes.
Financial Considerations: Death can be expensive. Consider setting aside funds or obtaining life insurance to help cover the costs of your family’s living expenses, mortgage, or final death arrangements. Consider developing a living trust, which can be beneficial and revoked anytime.
Final Arrangements: Consider what type of services you want and how you would like your remains handled. Paying for these services in advance can decrease family burden for some individuals.
Being proactive, making preparations, and having discussions about dying can be beneficial. Let’s start and continue the conversation.
Stay safe! Be well!
Those Nerdy Girls
