By Linda Haddon

Most everything in life we plan for: having a child, getting an education, getting married, buying a home, even retirement.

Oddly enough, none of these things are “for certain; they may or may not happen.

There are, however, two things in life that are certain: death and taxes. So, the taxes part of the equation typically is well planned.

But what about the death part? How do you want to be remembered? Will your desire be carried out? Do you know what options are available to you?

Do you or your medical decision-maker know who to call when death occurs? What are the choices for where your body goes (disposition)?  When does the coroner or medical examiner get involved? Who can sign for your disposition?

What are the costs? Who pays the bill?

Yes, it is difficult to talk about death, but, these are all things you need to know and choices that must be made.  It is so much easier to make those decisions and selections when there is no crisis of death.

I was widowed at an early age. Even though my husband fought a 3 1/2-year battle with cancer, he never told me what he wanted. He never made any arrangements for his death.

So at a time when I was torn with grief, I also had to make all those concrete decisions we could have approached together.

Having worked with Death Care for over 30 years, my motto is, “I don’t want any family to have to go through what I went through… that’s why I do what I do.”

Come to the San Juan Island Library May 20, 6-7:30 p.m. and join me and Hospice of San Juan as we discuss information we will all need to know—sooner or later—as part of the “Coping with Change” series.

— Editor’s note: Linda Haddon is a pre-arrangement counselor with Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Anacortes.  She has been a certified life celebrant for over 15 years and helps families design life reflective celebrations for loved ones.