End-of-Life Planning:

The Essentials

The modern, Western perspective on death and dying is frequently hyper-medicalized, stigmatized, and filled with outdated concepts and religious overtones. However, death culture is being revived. We have the freedom to consider death holistically and prepare ourselves for it based on our best understanding of the world and the realities of the place(s) we may die.

Participation in the planning and preparation of one’s own death is only possible if you pursue this work while you are alive. If you choose not to plan for death, you are, by default, leaving your end-of-life decisions to others. Unless you specify a person or people to make decisions for you and/or specify to what extent you want invasive end-of-life procedures, your dying process may be controlled by strangers, medical personnel, or by next of kin, as determined by your local laws.

So how can we prepare for death now? The end-of-life planning process can be overwhelming and complicated, so we’ve provided practical recommendations on how to begin your journey. These are the steps you should consider completing as soon as possible and are essential to having control over your life and death.

I.

Understand Your Needs, Fears, And Values Around Death

What does a “good death” mean to you?

We encouraging you to begin your end-of-life planning process by considering this question deeply and to confront fears that you hold around your own mortality. Death is inevitable. Contemplating your end of life helps to combat some of that fear by helping you to accept death and understand that you do have some control over how your death is handled.

We have created The Good Death ritual to help you identify your needs, fears and values around death. You can find The Good Death ritual in The Devil’s Death.

II.

Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning is a broad term used to describe the ongoing process of understanding and sharing your needs, values, goals, and preferences for future medical care.

Advance-care documents communicate your health care directives as you approach the end of life or are unable to communicate your wishes directly. These documents are often legally binding and exist to enforce your health care wishes and communicate your preferences when you are unable. Crafting advance-care documents is a form of legal spell work. These documents have the power to protect your body’s inviolability, advocate for you when you are unable, and enforce your will even when you are incapacitated.

There is considerable variation in terminology, laws, and documentation internationally. It is important for you to research your local laws and practices when composing your directives. In many places, you can write your own advance-care documents; however, you may need to work with a health care provider or consult with an attorney, depending on your unique situation. The documents you complete will be determined by several factors, including your region, your health, your concerns, and most importantly, your desires.

Learn about advance care planning, navigating the healthcare system, and common advance directives in The Devil’s Death.

III.

Designate A Healthcare Proxy

A health care proxy (also referred to as a health care agent, health care surrogate, health care power of attorney, or medical durable power of attorney) is someone you designate to make medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated and are unable to speak for yourself. This person can help to ensure that your health care wishes and your bodily autonomy will be honored. They can also be authorized to make funeral arrangements on your behalf.

Choosing a health care proxy is incredibly important, because if you do not name one, the courts and hospitals will typically appoint your closest biological family member to this position, someone who may not respect your health care directives. You should put considerable thought into who you assign as your healthcare proxy.

Regulations for designating a health care proxy depend on your region. In the United States, a Medical Durable Power of Attorney (MDPOA) is a legal document that appoints a health care agent. When you fill out this form, you should attach your other health care documents and guidance for the proxy. You may need to have this witnessed or notarized or include a document for your proxy to state their acknowledgment and agreement to serve as your proxy.

Find tips on choosing your healthcare proxy in The Devil’s Death.

IV.

Plan Your funeral

Early funeral planning alerts us to our options. Although many characterize embalming, an open-casket wake, funeral ceremony, procession, and graveside service as a “traditional” or “normal” funeral, the reality is that you can do whatever is meaningful for you. You don’t have to use a funeral home or use a funeral director. You have a myriad of options for your corpse and you are only limited by your imagination in terms of funeral ceremonies and memorials.

Learn about options for your corpse, how to make your funeral plan, and get the support you need to see your death wishes through in The Devil’s Death.

V.

Create your will

After you die, you still have ties to the material world, which could include property, people, pets, projects, assets, and debts. Your estate is made up of all the things you own—it can include your home, car, savings accounts, creations, and personal possessions. Estate planning helps to ensure that your possessions are entrusted to the people and organizations that mean the most to you after you die and can make carrying out these plans as easy as possible.

It’s imperative that you research your own regional laws so that you can plan appropriately and seek out legal counsel as necessary. If you are concerned about affording a lawyer, many regions have free or reduced-cost legal aid organizations for low-income people that can help you without the financial strain.

Learn about estate planning, how to create your will, and tips for preserving your digital legacy in The Devil’s Death.