Q. The pandemic has caused me to refocus my energy on planning for my future and for my family when I’m gone. I have seen people I know die of COVID and their families stressed about their funerals during a time of grief. I don’t want that to ever happen to my family, so I […]
Can You Die from a Broken Heart?
Q. My grandmother died many years ago, when I was twelve years old. I’ll never forget seeing her in her hospital bed and muttering the last words I would ever say to her. I will also never forget how my grandfather died shortly after. After all, they had been married for more than 50 years. […]
Explaining Death and Dying to Grandchildren
Dear Bebe, My mother has a terminal illness and won’t be around much longer. I have yet to tell my children, because I don’t know the best way to explain it. Do you have any recommendations on how to tell children that their grandmother is dying? Thanks for your help! Khan Versayshun — Dear Khan, […]
Many Hospice Workers Lack Their Own End-of-Life Directives
Dear Bebe, Hospice workers come into contact with people who are dying every day. I read recently that many of them don’t even have their own advance medical directives. Is this true? Seems like a no-brainer to me! Noah Directivs-Ovtherown — Dear Noah, What you read is correct. Many hospice care workers, who deal with […]
Coping with the Death of a Pet
Dear Angel, My mother’s beloved lap cat just passed away at the age of 17 and my mom is inconsolable. I’ve never lost a pet, so I don’t quite understand how she is feeling. How would you suggest she deal with the passing of a pet that was so dear to her? Thanks for any […]
TED Talks: New Ways to Think About Death
Most people don’t like to think about dying. We’d rather focus our energy on the people and the things we love, happy times, and things that bring us joy. But, as we all know, death is inevitable, and shouldn’t be ignored. Despite what most think,these conversations don’t have to be sad and depressing. They can be positive and thought-provoking. As […]
Now You Can Clone Grandma — April Fool’s Joke . . . or Not?
Q. I am very close with my 100-year-old grandmother, Emily. She is a remarkable, accomplished woman who went to college (which was rare in her time) and became a successful brain surgeon. She is also a very talented artist. I visit her every week and we talk for hours. Despite the fact that she is […]