I have always found it heartbreaking when someone dies alone. To be buried without anyone at the cemetery is just as sad. In Amsterdam, roughly twenty people die alone every year. No one to plan the service, speak, grieve, or attend. The people who are without family and friends are from all walks of life.…… Continue reading How the Dutch Memorialize Their Lonely Dead
Tag: dying
The Afterlife Bucket List: Keeping Your Spirit Alive
If you want your loved ones to help carry out your bucket list after you die, you can set things in motion beforehand in creative and meaningful ways. Here are some ideas: 1. Write an Afterlife Bucket List Letter Leave a letter detailing the experiences or acts you’d love them to do in your honor—whether…… Continue reading The Afterlife Bucket List: Keeping Your Spirit Alive
Tips for Writing an Obituary
Why do obituaries feel so important to us?They serve as a tribute, a record of someone’s life, and a way to honor their legacy. What makes a well-written obituary stand out?It’s personal, engaging, and captures the essence of who the person was. How have obituaries changed over time?They’ve become more personal, sometimes humorous, and often…… Continue reading Tips for Writing an Obituary
BOOK: The Rest We Deserve: Grief and the Lessons of Winter.
Grief has a way of making us feel like we must keep moving, as though stopping for even a moment might let it consume us entirely. But that’s not how nature works, and it’s not how we work either. Just as the seasons shift, there’s a time for everything – even rest. Especially rest. Winter…… Continue reading BOOK: The Rest We Deserve: Grief and the Lessons of Winter.
Confronting Fears with a Terminal Diagnosis
Confronting fears amidst a terminal diagnosis may seem daunting, but it holds profound benefits. Not only for individuals facing this challenging journey, but also those grieving from a loss. First, let’s look at how confronting our fears can help those with a terminal diagnosis: Empowerment Through Acceptance: Accepting the reality empowers individuals to shape their…… Continue reading Confronting Fears with a Terminal Diagnosis
Need to Plan a Funeral? Here’s a Checklist
Here’s a checklist to help you plan a funeral: Legal Considerations:Check local laws and regulations regarding funerals.Obtain necessary permits for burial or cremation. Budget:Establish a budget for the funeral expenses. Choose a Funeral Director or Decide on DIY:Decide whether to hire a funeral director or handle arrangements independently. Select a Venue:Choose a venue for the…… Continue reading Need to Plan a Funeral? Here’s a Checklist
How to Balance Hope and Realistic Expectation
Balancing hope and realistic expectations when diagnosed with a terminal illness is a delicate and personal process. Here are some strategies to navigate this challenging situation: Open Communication: Talk to Healthcare Providers: Engage in open and honest conversations with healthcare providers. Understand the prognosis, potential treatments, and the expected trajectory of the illness. Insist on…… Continue reading How to Balance Hope and Realistic Expectation
Caregivers: How to Navigate the Waves of Helplessness
Witnessing a loved one’s decline from a terminal illness can be an overwhelming journey. Here are six tips to navigate the waves of helplessness with compassion: 1. Embrace Your Feelings: It’s okay to feel helpless. Allow yourself to experience the full range of emotions without judgment. Embracing vulnerability is a courageous step in the healing…… Continue reading Caregivers: How to Navigate the Waves of Helplessness
How to Help a Child Cope when a Loved One is Terminally Ill
Coping with the impact of a loved one’s terminal illness on children in the family requires a delicate and supportive approach: 1. Open Communication: – Honesty: Be honest with children in an age-appropriate manner about the situation. Use simple language and answer their questions with sensitivity. – Encourage Expression: Create a safe space…… Continue reading How to Help a Child Cope when a Loved One is Terminally Ill
6 Important Things to Know When Someone is Grieving
Grief is brutal; everyone goes through the process in their own way and only within their own time frame. We also grieve much differently depending on the relationship. Whether it is you who is grieving, or someone you know, afford them the time to grieve on their own and in their own way.