Why Did It Take the COVID-19 to Get People to Even Utter the Word Death?
We are all going to die. Dying is a part of life. Yet the discussion of death is almost always left until one is so infirmed that s/he can’t make decisions or in the lawyer’s or funeral director’s office. What?
COVID-19 has brought the word “death” to the forefront (though in a sad and alarmist manner). We are seeing a flood of people flocking to find a lawyer believing that is the only way to be sure that their loved ones have legal plans in place. It is one way.
We all should get our planning done – on paper and with the folks we love the most that might have to be in a position to speak for us. We don’t have to use a lawyer (there are great new free resources online). One does not need to have a lot of money to feel the need to put their wishes in order. Talking about death – our wishes – our fears – our hopes – with those you believe will help in your final days is also very important.
Death comes to all of us and we don’t know when. Humans don’t come with an expiration date. Examples abound: a 60-year-old that fell and never regained consciousness; a 98-year-old who lingered for years with the children and grandchildren believing that s/he wanted to live as many years as possible no matter what the quality of life; a 20-year-old (HIPAA regulations) who is run over while bike riding and the parent has no legal rights to make decisions for him.
