Articles On:End of Life Planning

March 23, 2023

Physician-Assisted Death: Is It Your Choice?

Not long before my mother’s death, she told my sister that she wanted to die. ...

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Dying woman with her husband by her side. Image by Albertshakirov. After long illness, Terri L. Jones's mother wanted a physician-assisted death, but it was illegal in her state. Jones examines the issue.
February 20, 2023

What Is Hospice Care?

When the news broke that President Jimmy Carter had entered hospice care, many people wanted ...

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December 29, 2022

How She Made Her Second Chance Count

“When she loved someone or even liked them a lot (and she liked just about ...

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sympathy flowers. Image by Studioportosabbia.“When she loved someone, she was there for them.” Terri L. Jones tells of her mother’s second chance: life after her terminal diagnosis.
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.