End-of-Life Conversations Presentation by christynh

NEW! Select your own end-of-life preferences - including your funeral, obituary, and final resting place - with this useful fill-in-the-blank workbook (or in print).

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• Explore your end-of-life values and theology through the lenses of our Lutheran faith
• See examples of how to have "the talk" with those important to you
• Utilize and discover helpful tools for your own end-of-life planning and implementation
• Practice addressing the hard-to-discuss topics in a safe environment​

There are countless options for completing your end-of-life documents online:  The Life File, EverPlans, Future File, Vital Decisions, even through the National Institute of Aging. There are even state-specific Advance Directive forms, such as this Missouri one. ​

​An Advance Directive is not of much use without a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decision Making.

• Discern how to decide who should speak on your behalf
• Prepare and empower your DPOA to do so
• Follow-up correctly in order to make your selection legally official. 
• Utilize this emergency information sheet or  this wallet card - just in case!

Refer back to Pastor Christyn's presentation for the who, what, where, why, when, and how's of Advance Directive preparation. 

the links provided below are simply for illustrative purposes and are not endorsed by or have donated to Martin Luther Lutheran Church

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Having "the TALK" with your loved ones doesn't have to be scary or awkward! Check out some of the endless resources available online, most for free!

• Five Wishes
• Caring Conversations
• The Last Chapter Book
• The Conversation Project
• What Matters to Me booklet
• the Go Wish game
• Advance Care Planning workbook

Or consider hosting a Death over Dinner with your loved ones. Or if talking about it in person is too difficult or not possible, you can always make a digital advance directive! 
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Still uncertain? Read about others' experiences here and here. Or check out additional resources such as these or these. There are also tons of resources available to church leaders and members! Having a hard time having the talk? Check out this resource.

BONUS! How to avoid procrastination. 
Things to say (and what to avoid saying) to someone in grief. 
How Faith Communities can play a role in your end-of-life planning. 
Watch this stunning Being Mortal documentary.
Take time to meditate on your own mortality with this exceptional Buddhist guide.

You can also access Pastor Christyn's workbook with ideas for breaking the ice here. 

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In our final session, we will discuss how to prepare the nuts and bolts so your family doesn't have to, namely

• End-of-life options: Palliative vs. Hospice
• Funeral/Memorial options, logistics and preferences
• Burial and donation options
• Writing your own obituary​
• ​Legacy building

• Writing your own obituary can take a load off of your grieving family - plus it literally gives you the last word! Check out this article from the NYTimes, or this list of examples, then utilize this worksheet when ready! Remember to inform your family and make a plan for how to publish it when the time comes. 
• Read up on your legal rights as a patient and DPOA!
• Did you know that you don't have to be buried, embalmed, or cremated? Learn about your disposition options with Informed Final Choices. Visit the Green Burial Council's site for hybrid burial sites, or consider alternative methods, such as hydro-cremation. 
• ​Become familiar with essential tasks after a loved-one dies, or utilize the complimentary online tools here and here. This one is especially thorough! ​
• The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Kansas City offers plethora of information, including their vetted list of pricing for local funeral services.  And here is a useful list of funeral terms and their definitions.
• Or you can make sure there is FUN in your FUNeral by planning it yourself! For a quick check list, check out this "25 Things to Ask When Planning Your Funeral."

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Did you know that, despite your preexisting conditions, most people are still eligible to donate through Midwest Transplant Network and Donate Life? 

• Register here to be an organ donor and save lives!
• Get your questions answered here. 
• Want to donate your body to science? Be sure to start the registration process now so it can happen!

Wondering if organ donation is aligned with your faith tradition? Learn more here and here. 

​Video: Dying for Beginners