I’m Dead, Now What?

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
by Kelly McGinn

I have been spending some time reflecting on our weekend with Rev. Dr. Nancy Duff and her presentation on the end of life. It’s not something I spend much time thinking about, but as I peered around the room last Sunday, I noted that it’s an important topic for many. The room was packed! People were intently listening, taking notes and taking in all of Nancy’s advice on getting our affairs in order to die well, on our own terms. But, also make sure our family is cared for when we’re gone. Did anyone else feel overwhelmed? I certainly did as there was SO much I have never even considered.  

What makes for a good death? 

How do we die well? 

We plan for it the best we can, life will always throw us curve balls, so set in order what we can. I liked Nancy’s plan where she and her husband occasionally take a weekend trip away and call it “financial and death weekend.” The idea is that they spend the weekend reviewing their investments, accounts, paperwork, taxes, passwords, portals and all the stuff that is required to financially function. They got away from their home environment so they could focus on the matters that they would easily avoid. They also talk about their inevitable deaths and review the book she recommends “I’m Dead, Now What?” I have just ordered one on Amazon!  

If a good death includes making sure our family is cared for, one of the greatest favors we can do for our loved ones is provide a clear path to all our worldly possessions, our investments, our social media passwords, and even how we want to be remembered. Nancy advised us to have open conversations with our loved ones on our funerals, our obituaries, our burials. It’s being responsible, right?  It’s taking care of these things so others don’t have to. The odds of getting hit by a bus are 495,000 to 1 (I looked it up), but the odds that we’re going to die are 100%. With this, I am making a conscious effort to incorporate “dying well” into my conversations with my parents, my mother-in-law and well, my kids.  

Check out Nancy Duff’s book here.