Dying Kindness – Details, episodes & analysis

Most of us have never seen a death up close, let alone many. How, then, can we know what to do or say to support someone else who's dying? How can we know what to expect for our own deaths?

"With the End in Mind" by Kathryn Mannix is a book of stories drawn from the author's long career in palliative care. Each story gives perspective on a different aspect of the dying process, providing insight and information to help the reader be more prepared.

In this episode, I discuss the book and why I think everyone can benefit from reading it.

So it's time to write an obituary. Who should do it and how? What needs to be included? What should be left out? Where does it go? What is an obituary for, anyway?

Do you have a signature dish? Have you written down the recipe? Why you should record how to make foods associated with you so others can make it when you're gone.

Buy "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel at Bookshop.org (affiliate link)

DyingKindness.com

Maybe you've told people what you want done with your body when you die. Have you also written down exactly what you want for your funeral? And have you paid for it? 

Dean Lambert from the Love Always Project knows firsthand how easy it can be to miss important details when planning a funeral. He shares his 30 years of experience as well as personal stories to encourage everyone to arrange and fund their own funerals in advance.

In this episode:

https://www.lovealwaysproject.org/

https://www.dyingkindness.com/

https://www.dyingkindness.com/support/

Samhain. Halloween. All Saints Day. All Souls Day. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

All of these holidays are about the connection between the living and the dead. And they all present the dead in different ways. Taking a look at these differences can be a fun way to think about where we get our concepts about death and how our loved ones might relate to us after we die.

What is a revocable living trust and who needs one? What's the difference between a will and a trust? If you have a will, do you need a trust? 

Mentioned:

Natural Organic Reduction in California: https://recompose.life/2022/california/

https://www.dyingkindness.com/

Dying Kindness bookstore: https://bookshop.org/lists/dying-kindness

A discussion with Edward Bixby of the Green Burial Council on eco-friendly burial options – and the consumer's role in helping expand what's available.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.dyingkindness.com/

https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/

GBC map of certified providers: https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/interactive-maps.html

https://destinationdestinymemorials.com/

https://www.steelmantowncemetery.com/

"Climate Change: The massive CO2 emitter you may not know about" by Lucy Rodgers for BBC

"Lawn Maintenance and Climate Change" paper by Princeton Student Climate Initiative

"This heatwave is a reminder that grass lawns are terrible for the environment" article by Akin Olla for The Guardian

In addition to choosing an emergency contact, you should prepare contact lists for who they should call if you ended up in a crisis or need longer-term support. In this episode, Cianna goes over what kinds of contact lists you should prepare for different situations.

We all know we should write a will, but how do you get started? Here are some tips on what to prepare that will make it easier and will save you time and money when you sit down to write your own will.

Referenced:

DyingKindness.com

Episode 4: The Value of Physical Stuff

Book: The Poetry of Impermanence, Mindfulness, and Joy (affiliate link)

People are living longer and longer. While generally that's a good thing, it also means that more of us are going to need long-term care – and that can get expensive. What is long-term care? What options are there? And how can we plan for it? 

In this episode, Cianna talks with leading LTC expert Matt McCann. McCann is recognized as one of the nation's leading long-term health care specialists, and is the publisher of LTC News.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Consumer focused news & resources: LTCnews.com 
• McCann Insurance Services: RadioLTC.com
• Information from U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services: LongTermCare.gov
• American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance: AALTCI.org

Medical bills are leading cause of bankruptcy

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services report shows “70% of adults who survive to age 65 develop severe LTSS needs before they die and 48% receive some paid care over their lifetime” 

About Larry Lujack