Health and Beauty

Not many decades ago, one generally waited until a loved one had died before contacting the local funeral professional. If the family or individual had been so disposed, a Last Will and Testament might have been executed. In religious families, the local minister, rabbi or priest might have been informed. But, in general, end of life issues where handled when actually encountered. In the 21st Century, living and dying are different, and they must be handled differently for the sake of good sense.

Important life decisions, including “end of life” decisions, are most effectively made when one is at one’s best. Feeling ill, troubled or grieving seriously colors any decisions with the anguish and disadvantage of the moment. This is especially true of end of life decisions regarding legalities, finances, health care and funeral services.

In the USA in the 21st Century, people appear relatively wealthy compared to how they were in the mid-20th Century. And, laws of inheritance and taxation treat people who’s assets are at least numerically large as if they were wealthy. Indeed, one may not feel wealthy, but feelings are hardly at issue in the law. While the “common sense” of a former time held that the heirs (spouse, children) would naturally have rights to the estate, that is not always so simple in today. Nor is a Last Will necessarily the most effective or desirable instrument by which to convey one’s assets. Living Revocable Trusts, among other ideas and tools, can be often more helpful. Needless to say, 21st Century good sense requires professional legal advice in assessing and deciding how to prepare for end of life legalities. Yes, this costs money, too. But “you get what you pay for.”

Likewise, half a century ago, deaths generally occurred without the attendance of Emergency Medical Technicians or hospital Emergency Room staffs. Today, whenever there is an unexpected or unattended death, the local police and EMT are notified by telephoning 9-1-1. Formerly, death was “pronounced” when pulse and breathing were no longer perceivable, and few patients were connected to “life support” in hospitals. Today, pronouncing a death can be scheduled (as when life support removal is pre-arranged) and whether or not to avail of life support procedures needs to be decided based on medical circumstances. Medical and health care decisions are very complicated. As in legal realities, health care realities today demand competent professional advice and benefit greatly with advance consultation and consideration.

The certitude of death and taxes is still true in the 21st Century. Financial and asset management are more complicated than ever. Developing a plan or strategy for managing one’s money and resources (including budgeting, retirement, charity, etc.) has never been more advantageous. Here, too, competent professional advice has become absolutely essential for prudent decision-making.

Funeral arrangements, including mortuary services and religious or social events, benefit from having current, accurate information and pre-need consideration. Funeral decisions and mortuary services can be arranged and even funded in advance in many regions. Many religious groups encourage members to make plans for the end of life for both spiritual and temporal reasons. Again, competent professional advice is in order, from funeral professionals and your religious community.

In any event, “Setting Your House In Order” (and keeping it current by means of periodic revision) is a very important and necessary component of 21st Century “good sense” in spite of what past practices might have been. Dying in chaos or unprepared imposes a large burden on one’s family and friends with far more needless anguish and expense than is necessary. Such needless anguish and avoidable expenses are unnecessary. A seminar presentation on “Setting Your House In Order” is possibly the most effective way to begin wrestling with the practical side of one’s mortality. Each of us will experience the end of life through the deaths of others and eventually in one’s own particular moment. The big question is, will you be prudently prepared to do so?