By Amy Florian for Next Avenue Not too long ago, a dear friend’s dad suffered a major heart attack and died. At the funeral, there was little time for more than a brief…
Creating a New Life as a Widow
By Barbara Rady Kazdan for Next Avenue After losing my husband 10 years ago, I joined a bereavement group. At the final session, a few of us decided to meet monthly for lunch.…
Childhood friends, Vietnam Vets enjoy one more lunch together
From the grade school playground to the jungle in Vietnam, Farmington residents John Hastings, Clifford Barnes and William Allen share memories that span a lifetime. They recently had the opportunity…
Addressing Loss on Social Media
By Mark Ray for Next Avenue When Carla Sofka’s mother died just before Thanksgiving 2017, Sofka didn’t immediately post the news on social media. She was busy planning the funeral, making travel arrangements…
When Families Keep the Truth From Their Dying Loved Ones
By Larry Patten for Next Avenue (This is a personal essay by retired pastor Larry Patten, who now works in a Fresno, Calif., hospice facility.) Answering the innocent question of…
Providing compassion, being real
By Greg Schmidt, hospice chaplain One recurring discussion I find myself in involves what it takes to work on a hospice team. The conclusion generally has something to do with…
How to Beat the “Heat”
By Greg Schmidt, hospice chaplain It’s July in Kansas, and the heat is real. What is the best way to “beat the heat?” Obviously, you should look for a vacation…
A Daunting Task: Cleaning Out a Late Loved One’s Home
By Randi Mazzella for Next Avenue After a parent or another loved one dies, one of the hardest tasks is cleaning out their home. Whether or not it’s the home you grew up…
The Risks of a Handwritten Will
By Jason Largey for Next Avenue When the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin died last August, it was believed that she hadn’t prepared any kind of estate plan, including a last will and…
Best Ways to Manage Life Insurance Proceeds After a Spouse Dies
By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell for Next Avenue I handled all the household finances and bills throughout my 32-year-marriage to my husband, Dale. But when he suddenly died of a massive heart attack at 57…