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Dealing with Death

Dealing with death can be difficult in today’s culture. We stop mentioning it, dwelling on it, and preparing for it. Although we are all mindful that death is imminent, we are unable to accept that it will ever happen to us.

“Death can be terrifying.” Dr. Todd Kashdan opened his essay with those four painfully-honest words, “Confronting Death with an Open, Mindful Attitude.” He went on to clarify that, for most of us, death is such a frightening occurrence. It leaves us extremely weak to realize that death is imminent and unexpected. This disturbs our instinct to remain a breathing, living organism.

For millennia, our fear of death has kept us alive (as individuals and communities). This is normal. The fear of death does not, however, fulfill our personal need for protection, and if we are to live our lives, we must fully release the fear. Dr. Kashdan argues that what’s needed might be a conscientious approach to living.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness has been defined as, The state of active, open attention to the present has been described as mindfulness. You consider your emotions and emotions from a distance while you’re mindful, without judging them as positive or bad. Sight involves living in the present and waking to reality, instead of making your life slip you by.

Awakening to your own death’s inevitability is freeing. You are no longer forced to handle fear; you will integrate death into the reality of your life.

Preparing for Your Death

Death is a fact of life that is normal. You crush the ability to prevent you from living entirely as you live with purpose, which means looking for death and planning for it. When completed intentionally, the following task list will allow you not only to face your own death, but to take hold of it. While you can never truly know how before the moment of your death your life will end, your plans will allow you to feel happy with it.

– Write a will, notarize it, and supply your executor, as well as all other persons who are relevant in your estate settlement, with a copy. 


– Designate a Power of Attorney and Living Will, two important documents if, due to an injury or disease, you are otherwise able to provide for your financial, medical, or legal needs.


– Create a comprehensive schedule for your funeral or memorial service that will help your survivors remember your contributions and honor them. 


– Organize all financial records, including insurance plans, bills, mortgage documents, titles of cars, and documents for loans. In your bank accounts, it might be helpful to consider adding a trustworthy family member. 


– For your survivors, protect your digital life. Make sure that all account passwords and usernames are listed and let your survivors know how you would like to treat your digital real estate after your death (email and social media accounts).


If you don’t work to really get in touch with the reality of your death, you will never be fully satisfied with your life. When endlessly trying to become victorious over death, you stop living fully.