End of Life Planning
The Unfinished List
There are many reasons why people avoid end-of-life planning. In the first of a series of stories, we see how avoidance can initially seem comforting but ultimately leaves important tasks unresolved, causing more stress in the long run. By facing the challenge, one woman finds peace and fulfillment, thanks in no small part to a certified End-of-Life Planning Facilitator.
Emily Turner sat at her kitchen table, a cup of coffee in one hand and her phone in the other. The screen displayed an ever-growing to-do list: “Grocery shopping, call the plumber, finish the report for work.” But just below these everyday tasks, highlighted in red, was one item that had been there for months: “Start end-of-life planning.”
She sighed and scrolled past it for the hundredth time.
Emily was in her early fifties, healthy, and active. She prided herself on staying on top of everything — work, family, even her fitness routine. But every time she thought about that particular item on her list, she felt a tight knot form in her stomach.
Her mother had passed away unexpectedly the year before, leaving behind a mountain of unresolved issues. Emily had spent months sorting through papers, dealing with lawyers, and trying to figure out what her mother would have wanted. The memory of those stressful…
