Advance Directives (Living Wills)
Organ Donation
Ethical Wills
When Life Ends: Support, Ceremonies and Inspiration for Modern Families
Covid -19: Prayers for the Pandemic
For Grieving Children and Parents
The 10 Best and 10 Worst Things to Say to Someone in Grief
Things that Make Me Smile
Advance Directives/ Living Wills
My Zen teachers asked us to fill one out for ourselves before we could go on with the care-giving training! All adults 18 and over—not just the sick or elderly—should have an advance care plan (also known as a living will) in which you explain the type of health care you do (or do not) want when you can’t make your own decisions. If an unexpected emergency happens or you find yourself in a critical or end-of-life medical situation, you will have taken steps to be sure that any medical decisions on your behalf are consistent with your values, beliefs, and preferences.
Download your state’s advance directive for free here
Organ Donation
Registering as an organ donor is a personal decision. Signing up on your state registry means that someday you could save lives as a donor. When you do sign up, most states let you choose what organs and tissues you want to donate, and you can update your status at any time.
If you would like more information or would like to register, please visit OrganDonor.gov
Ethical Wills
Now for some soul searching! Have you thought about writing an “ethical will” to transmit what you have learned in life to loved ones and to future generations? Things you might include: family history, expressions of love and pride, hopes for your children and grandchildren, requests for forgiveness, and ways you might like to be remembered after death.
See some beautiful examples here
When Life Ends: Support, Ceremonies and Inspiration for Modern Families
A beautiful offering of inspiration by my friend, the green funeral director Amy Cunningham
And poetry suggestions from my favorite women reverends: RevGalPals
Last but not least, from the brilliant podcast Happier: Funeral Readings from Gretchen Rubin
Covid -19: Prayers for the Pandemic
I began the Prayers for the Pandemic Project as a resource of interfaith prayers, blessings, and passages to honor those who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic.
I offer this collection to whomever can use it… from chaplains and religious leaders to family members and friends of the deceased who may be leading memorial services online. If you are in need of inspiration, contact me for a free copy.
For Grieving Children and Parents
Grief resources and toolkits children, teens,schools
Five tips for talking to children about death
For parents…compassionatefriends.org
The 10 Best and 10 Worst Things to Say to Someone in Grief
A reminder we can all use!
grief.com
Things that Make Me Smile
Jizo
The Jizo statue I included in Heartwood about the Japanese art of grieving a miscarriage or the loss of a child. With one in four women losing a pregnancy, I have given so many friends this meaningful gift of remembrance. (Heartwood is also available on their wonderful site.)
