Funeral Planning
The first twenty-four hours
What actually has to happen immediately after a death is a short list, and knowing it prevents decisions being made under pressure that cost money and cause regret.
Topic
decisions
Every Before Last Wish article tagged decisions — 6 pieces across 3 sections.
Advance Directives
Resuscitation decisions, explained properly
Do-not-resuscitate decisions are widely misunderstood, by families and sometimes by staff, in ways that cause real harm in both directions.
Advance Directives
Mental capacity: what it means and how it is assessed
Capacity is decision-specific, time-specific and presumed to be present. Families frequently misunderstand all three, with consequences for the decisions that follow.
Family Conversations
Estrangement at the end of a life
When someone who is estranged from the family is dying, everyone involved faces decisions with no good options and a short timescale.
Family Conversations
When the family disagrees
Conflict at the end of a life is usually not about the decision in front of everyone. Understanding what it is actually about is the only route through it.
Advance Directives
Choosing a healthcare proxy, and what you are asking of them
The person who makes medical decisions for you if you cannot is doing one of the hardest jobs anyone can be asked to do. Choosing them on the basis of closeness is usually a mistake.