Thursday December 25, 2008 7:00am
During the week between Christmas and New Year’s is when the air is most emotionally charged for people.  It’s a time of new beginnings and a time to reflect on those we have lost during the year; those who will no longer be sharing the earth experience with us in their human body. It’s natural to lament the loss of loved ones who have chosen to drop their robes for this Earth walk, and many of us have parents and grand parents who are nearing transition.  It’s a time of many decisions to make and contingencies to be addressed.

Advance funeral arrangement and prepaid cremation is always helpful, and everyone should have a basic will and power of attorney.  Everything should be placed in joint names with right of survivorship: real estate, bank accounts, vehicle and trailer titles, stock and any other accounts.  Being prepared with these details in advance prevents you from paying extreme prices later when you have to make big financial decisions under emotional pressure.  Funeral home costs can add up to be astronomical and unnecessary.  Prepaid cremation is easy, and is the environmentally friendly choice.  Gather friends informally at the family home later, not at the funeral home.  The extra money will come in handy for you now.

No one likes to spend their holidays thinking of those who are no longer here, but sometimes you can’t not notice it.  If you were married to someone for 60 years, you’d notice when they were no longer at your side every moment.  That can be devastating if you think of it in terms of loss.  But, as Abraham-Hicks says, death is merely like walking into the next room.

We’ve all experienced it: we hear a voice in our head sounding like our deceased loved one, and we even carry on conversations that are soothing to us, and insightful.  ”I’m just imagining that,” you’ll say.  “I’m just making that up.”  maybe.  But where is the thought coming from?  And when you get right down to it, does it really matter as long as the thought is bringing you comfort and personal insight?

It’s good to be prepared in advance, not just with the legal details, but with some first hand accounts of those who have passed on, so you know what to expect.  At this link, you’ll find just that:  The End of Life As We Know It, As Reported By Those Who Have Made The Transition.  It has changed how I feel about the topic.  It has brought me comfort to know everyone is just a thought away.