My one & only sister is dying. It's some sort of organ failure. (My family has never been great at sharing details.)
Mim never discussed what she wanted - if anything - in the way of a memorial celebration. She never told any of her family what she wanted done with her body. Mom gave hers to Humanity Gifts Registry, so I have no experience on next steps when someone dies - I called the number they gave, they came & took Mom's body & a year later I received her ashes. The one minister she mentioned leading her celebration is retired, no longer does funerals.
We are right where I try to help people avoid being - planning what to do after she dies, with basically no input from Mim.
How ironic. Last year, I developed a Final Wishes form, designed to help friends in my little hometown share The Conversation
with loved ones. It reviews what a person wants at the end of their
life & after they've gone. Basic information, like who you'd like
involved in any memorial celebration, what to do with your body, songs
& music, even if there are any final words you'd like to share. As
straightforward & simple as I could make it.
I
am forever beseeching friends, pleasant acquaintances & total
strangers to have The Conversation, to share final wishes, NOW - it
might not be possible later. Now, for us, is too late. Mim isn't up to
it.
An irony that goes straight to my heart.
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