John F. Wasik (NYTimes.com) has recently published an article entitled, Lifting From Others the Burden of Your Own Death (May 14, 2014). Provided below is a short summary of the article from NYTimes.com:
Lifting From Others the Burden of Your Own Death
Although death planning can be emotionally vexing, it is essential for families and survivors.
Death planning will not only allow you to plan a dignified, meaningful and even splashy exit, but will provide guidance for those attending to your last moments and beyond.
FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE provides advice on funeral planning and costs, and monitors industry trends.
Because critical care procedures and some drugs can damage organs, "Only about 3 percent of deaths would be suitable for lung or liver or heart donation after being on life support in a hospital," said Lisa Carlson, former executive director of the nonprofit Funeral Consumers Alliance and co-author with Joshua Slocum of "Final Rights: Reclaiming the American Way of Death".
Many states allow in-home funerals, although eight states require the involvement of funeral directors.
Do you want specific music played or pictures displayed? Are there past events or accomplishments you want your survivors to remember? Most important, Ms. Carlson noted, is to discuss with your family what you don't want in your final moments and beyond.
"If I'm totally dependent upon someone else," Ms. Carlson said, "My sense of self will evaporate. My time is up at that point. I will be looking forward to the other side - and coming back." Although death planning may be one of the most difficult things you will do, it is one final act of self-determination.
For more information on this topic, continue reading the article "Lifting From Others the Burden of Your Own Death" by John F. Wasik (NYTimes.com).