Articles On:End of Life Planning

August 22, 2022

Honoring Funeral Wishes – Including Not Having One

A wife is abiding by her late husband’s funeral wishes. However, her in-laws are none ...

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grieving widow - photo by Katarzyna Bialasiewicz, Dreamstime. A wife is abiding by her late husband’s funeral wishes, but his family displeased and she feels conflicted. See what Ask Amy advises.
August 8, 2022

Creating Your Ethical Will

When you’re organizing your end-of-life affairs, preparing a will is likely high on your list ...

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Shot of a senior man using a laptop and going through paperwork at home. Photo from Getty Images, courtesy of Family Features and National Funeral Directors Association. An ethical will is a way to convey thoughts, life lessons learned, the intentions behind your will and your wishes for loved ones.
August 2, 2022

‘Forever After’: Thoughts on Dying and Death

Sandra Butler’s essay, excerpted from “The Kitchen Is Closed: And Other Benefits of Being Old,” ...

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older woman looking out of window - photo by Luna4, Dreamstime. Eighty-year-old Sandra Butler shares her thoughts on dying, on death, on her postmortem body, and on policies that dictate our options.
July 25, 2022

Families Should Keep Military Discharge Papers

The proud daughter of a veteran shares her experience after her father’s death, explaining the ...

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World War II veteran medals. Photo by Cheryl Casey, Dreamstime. The daughter of a veteran explains the need for families to keep military discharge papers in a safe place – and what can happen otherwise.
June 14, 2022

10 Meaningful Sympathy Gifts Instead of Flowers

When you hear that a friend has lost a loved one, you naturally desire to ...

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porcelain dove, ribbon, candle, and white roses signifying mourning. Photo by Hámor Szabolcs, Dreamstime. Meaningful sympathy gifts show love to a grieving friend. These 10 ideas go beyond flowers: memorial trees and jewelry, practical ideas, etc.
June 13, 2022

Dividing an Estate: Should Everyone Get Equal?

A woman whose three grown children treat her very differently wonders about dividing an estate ...

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woman on swing pondering question - photo by Robert Bayer, Dreamstime. A woman questions dividing an estate among her three grown children: based on how they treat her or a three-way split? “Ask Amy” weighs in.
June 6, 2022

8 Important End-of-Life Documents

While you may be aware of the benefits of writing a will, other important end-of-life ...

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man meeting with lawyer photo by Natee Meepian Dreamstime. Besides a will, there are other important end-of-life documents that cover a mix of situations from medical concerns to after-death matters.
May 20, 2022

When Family Won’t Make Estate Plans

A woman in her 60s is concerned about her older sister who has done nothing ...

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stubborn elderly women on a park bench. photo by Motortion Dreamstime. Family worries about a 75-year-old mom without a will, power of attorney, AMD, etc. What can be done when family won’t make estate plans?
March 22, 2022

10 Ways to Memorialize a Loved One

Among the saddest occasions in our lives is losing a loved one. As we mourn ...

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Metal Urn Of Ashes At A Funeral Photo By Anze Furlan Dreamstime. For article, These 10 ways to memorialize a loved one can help you mourn their passing, celebrate their lives, and extend their memory.
February 28, 2022

Ask Amy: Family Issues Over Inherited Land

The family issues over inherited land surprises one woman, who feels a strong pull to ...

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Road Through Farmland with fences, cows, red barns, pasture land, and rolling hills. Photo By Denise P Lett Dreamstime. For article, Family issues over inherited land surprises a woman who feels pulled to her ancestors' property and gets ideas for managing the inheritance.