Death has typically been a taboo subject in our culture. We all know that it will eventually happen to us, but we generally do not like to think or talk about it. Even those people who have strong religious beliefs that they will go to a much better place after they pass away do not like to dwell too much on their own deaths.

It is a scary subject for us, since we cannot be absolutely certain what death will be like and what will happen afterwards. Also, elderly people and the terminally ill often have not planned properly and don’t have people to help them deal with the process. A new movement is trying to change that, as The New York Times reports in “The Positive Death Movement Comes to Life.”

The movement is not completely cohesive. It consists of various people and groups attempting to make the subject of death less taboo by focusing on the personal needs of the individual passing away. In some places, this idea has taken the form of “death cafes,” where anyone interested can come together and talk about the subject. Other people are working on ways for hospice patients to receive personal attention in the same way a midwife assists those giving birth.

One reason why many people do not create an estate plan is because they do not want to think about their own death. If this new movement is successful and results in more people getting estate plans, that will be very beneficial for many families.

Ultimately, preparing an estate plan will ensure both you and your family can tackle the difficult transitions ahead with as much preparedness and ease as possible.

Reference: New York Times (June 22, 2018) “The Positive Death Movement Comes to Life.”