Dealing With Death

In today’s society, death is often pushed aside. We avoid talking about it, thinking about it, or planning for it. Even though we understand that death is inevitable, many of us struggle to imagine it ever touching our own lives.

“Death can be terrifying.” With those four honest words, Todd Kashdan opens his article, Confronting Death with an Open, Mindful Attitude. He goes on to explain why death feels so frightening for so many of us: “Recognizing that death is inescapable and unpredictable makes us incredibly vulnerable. This disrupts our instinct to remain a living, breathing organism.”

Fear of death has helped keep humans alive—for individuals and for communities—for centuries. In that sense, it is natural. Yet living in constant fear of dying does little to support a sense of safety or peace. If we are to truly live, that fear must eventually loosen its grip. Dr. Kashdan suggests that a more mindful approach to living may be what allows us to face death with greater openness and less fear.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is often described as a state of active, open attention to the present moment. When you practice mindfulness, you observe your thoughts and feelings with a sense of distance—without labeling them as good or bad. Rather than letting life rush past, mindfulness invites you to be fully present and awake to your experiences.

Becoming aware of the inevitability of your own death can feel surprisingly freeing. Instead of expending energy trying to control fear, you allow death to exist as part of the broader human experience—making space for deeper presence, clarity, and appreciation for life as it unfolds.

Preparing for Your Death

Death is a natural part of life. When you live with intention, which involves looking toward death and preparing for it, you crush its power to keep you from living fully. The following task list will, when done mindfully, help you to not only confront your own death but to take control of it. While you'll never actually know how your life will end until the time of your death, your preparations will help you become comfortable with it.

Write a will, notarize it, and provide a copy to your executor as well as any other individuals who are important in the settlement of your estate.
Designate a Power of Attorney and Living Will, two essential documents if you are ever unable to care for your financial, medical, or legal needs due to an accident or illness.
Make a detailed plan of your funeral or memorial service, which will help your survivors acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments.
Organize all financial papers including insurance policies, bills, mortgage papers, vehicle titles, and loan documents. It may be useful to consider adding a trusted family member to your bank accounts.
Secure your digital life for your survivors. Make sure to list all account passwords and usernames and let your survivors know how you would like your digital real estate (email and social media accounts) handled after your death.

Dealing with Death