Pictured above From left to right: Laura Macho, Sasha Greene, Lonnie Stewart, and Michael F. Carullo
We understand: this was a morbid title for a panel discussion (“Everything You Wanted to Know About Dying in Your Apartment but Were Afraid to Ask”). However, we believe in living for today and planning well for tomorrow. A Will, an Advance Directive, and a Healthcare Proxy are only the beginning. There are considerations for being prepared to die the way you wish, and having your remains handled the way you want to – with the knowledge that not everything necessarily goes as planned (you might die on holiday abroad!). The more we can state our wishes and plan ahead of time, the more piece of mind.
There was a lot of discussion over a range of topics and a record turn-out for our lecture series. The panel included Social Worker, Sasha Greene, and Funeral Directors from Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, Laura Macho
1. In New York State you can explicitly designate who will be in charge of your body and your funeral arrangements (separate from the Executor of your Will) by completing an “Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains.” Obtain that document through this link to the New York State Department of Health.
2. If you wish to die at home, it is essential you work with a geriatric
3. It is essential that before you work with a home care agency you ask them their process if you die. Many agencies tell their aides to call 9-1-1, in which case authorities seal
4. Pre-planning your funeral can save time, grief, and money. Any licensed Funeral Director can help you determine the costs involved, and you can shop around without obligation. Licensed Funeral Directors are highly-regulated in New York State to protect you from fraud and abuse. You can walk into any funeral home and discuss options and costs without penalty.
5. A Licensed Funeral Director is a good person to know (if not an excellent geriatric case manager as well). A funeral director knows how to get through complicated red tape (example: if you die on your river cruise on the Danube, the funeral director knows how to get your body back to the United States).
6. Choosing a hospice agency. This document has some guidelines to screen for hospice services.
7. Funeral checklists. Here are two funeral checklists sent to us from Laura Macho and contain some helpful information.
We hope that this information is useful for you and perhaps spurs further discussion. If you would like to have more events like these, please send a note to n2n.greenwich.village@gmail.com and give us your ideas!
