The simple fact is that we will all die one day. Choosing not to think about it will not change this. Keep reading for tips on how to come to terms with the end of your life and life insurance benefits that could help you navigate your path.
Accept Your Mortality
Thinking about your death can be filled with both emotional and spiritual complications. Some of us have no idea when we may die, while others may be facing a prognosis of imminent death. Many people go through complicated emotions and experience varying degrees of the emotions that are most closely tied to the five stages of grief:
- Denial: During this stage, a person has a hard time coping with the idea of dying. They may refuse to think about death. Denial is usually the first step to process difficult news or realities, such as death.
- Anger: Anger is typically the next step in accepting something like death. While experiencing anger, anyone and everyone in your life may fuel your anger. Anger can be irrational and affect your mood and behavior.
- Bargaining: Bargaining may be especially prevalent for those who have a death prognosis. If a person is religious, bargaining may be in the form of asking God to keep them alive a while longer. Bargaining is also apparent in conversations that begin with “If only…” People in the bargaining stage may obsess with how they can change the inevitable.
- Depression: For many people, depression could be one of the longest stages on the way to acceptance. During this time, intense sadness could be experienced, as well as a loss of hope and reduced vitality for life.
- Acceptance: Acceptance is not about feeling good about the prospect of certain death. Rather, acceptance is when you can move past feeling angry and depressed and truly understand that your life includes inevitable death. Acceptance allows people to continue moving forward with their life.
Tie Up Loose Ends Before You Die
Once you are ready to accept your mortality, you may find that tying up loose ends also gives you a sense of peace. For most people, we recommend they:
- Hire an Estate Attorney: This professional will help you with most of the following documents regarding the end of your life. They will also keep a copy of these documents.
- Create a Last Will and Testament: This is an important document because it legally decides who will be in charge of making sure your estate is handled properly. This document also explains how you want your assets distributed.
- Get a Durable Power of Attorney: A power of attorney helps clarify when and who should step in to handle your money should you become incapacitated.
- Clarify Medical and Advance Directives: This document will be helpful if you become grievously injured or ill. The medical directive helps others know under what conditions or circumstances you wish to be kept alive and what kind of extraordinary measures should be taken to keep you alive.
- Purchase Life Insurance: Life insurance is a good idea for most people. If you have people who depend on your income, have outstanding debts, or you want to be sure your final expenses are covered, purchase a whole life insurance policy.
- Write Out Important Information: If you were to die tomorrow, how hard would it be for someone else to handle the paperwork surrounding your life? Ease the struggle and prepare a detailed list of these items. Include important contact information, like your estate attorney, information for paying bills, account numbers, contact phone numbers, and a list of all your bills and debts.
- Tell People: Talk to important people in your life about these things. Make them aware that you have a plan. Tell them where you keep your important paperwork.
Those you leave behind will appreciate your preparation. It will also help you rest easy knowing you’re making the transition as easy as possible for all.
Talk About Death
Though many people might find candidly talking about death to be morbid, it can be helpful for others. You might discover that some individuals are more or less afraid of death than you, which can help you gain perspective. Plus, open conversation about our worries can lead to a feeling of catharsis about what we’re worried about. This is especially important in heavy conversations such as coming to terms with your own death.
Talking about difficult topics also helps you process what you’re thinking and helps you feel better by taking some weight off your shoulders.
Prepare and Plan for Your Death
When coming to terms, it’s important to think about what you want for the end of your life. Who do you want there? What do you want your funeral or memorial to be like? This may be difficult to think about, but it may give your loved ones a sense of peace and purpose to be able to fulfill your final wishes. These considerations include:
- Who do you want at your funeral or memorial?
- What do you want the event to be like?
- How do you wish to be honored?
- Do you want to be cremated or buried?
- Are there specific things you want, such as songs, photos, or specific people speaking?
After you make your plan, tell people about it or include a written description with your other important paperwork.
Develop Gratitude for Your Life
Finally, learn how to appreciate your life and all the moments you have left. It has been shown that feeling gratitude can reduce anxiety surrounding death. Whether you are experiencing difficult or joyful times, savoring all life has to offer can help you feel like you are living more fully. You may fear death less by doing so.
A focus on gratitude can help you live intentionally and form a better understanding of what’s important. You can better appreciate your family, your friends, and those around you.
Whole Life Insurance from Americo Senior Life
Americo Senior Life understands how daunting it can be to come to terms and plan for the end of your life. That’s why we offer convenient, trusted whole life insurance policies to fit your needs. We know how important it is to help your family feel financially secure. A whole life insurance policy from Americo Senior Life provides the permanent, lifelong financial protection you want. You’ll never lose your life insurance coverage and your premium will never increase (as long as premiums are paid). Also, keep in mind that your premium could increase and your death benefit could change if you continue to smoke. Complete your end-of-life plan and apply online or call us today.