Practical Suggestions: A Final Affairs Fair

By Jane Louis

Death can and does unfold at an alarming pace. At the core of the process rests the reality that human life has both a beginning and an end. Great attention is devoted in our culture to planning for the beginning of life, but for most, planning for the end of life gets short shrift. There are, however, numerous ways for professionals to help plan for the end of life with the same attention and care that we devote to the sacred time preceding it. One way is by hosting a Final Affairs Fair.

Saint David's Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, is one faith community that has hosted a Final Affairs Fair. The fair, a day-long, end-of-life planning workshop, was a collaborative effort between the ministries of education, pastoral care and stewardship. One goal was to bring end-of-life issues into active dialogue within the context of faith. Following are some tips for hosting a Final Affairs Fair, an illustrative look at how Saint David's fair helped one member, and a look at that fair.

Refashioning a model used by another church, Saint David's day-long agenda included presentations by an attorney, a hospital chaplain, a financial planner, a planned giving professional, a funeral home director, and our clergy staff. Participants learned how legal documents and services could bring beliefs, values, and priorities to light during health care decisions, distribution of assets, and designation of advocacy. The complex realities of industry-regulated health care, the ethical challenges lurking in the shadows of medicine's abundant treatment choices, and the importance of open and ongoing dialogue between health care professionals, family members, and support systems were all discussed. Also addressed were options available for disposition of the body, issues of state and local laws affecting such choices, and the overall funeral service.

Participants received workbooks that included articles, resource information, and sample legal documents. During the day, people could execute Advanced Medical Directives, designate powers of attorney, and explore Medicare benefits. They left the event knowing that their community of faith was willing to be an active partner as they faced the end of life. Every item on the agenda could have been addressed individually and elsewhere, but the fact that all aspects of concern came together on the familiar ground of their faith made the subject matter not only palatable, but also approachable and manageable.

One member who attended the fair, Allen, updated his will; executed Advanced Medical Directives; filled in the blanks on the planning form; and picked scripture readings and music for his funeral service. He was a 68-year-old divorced father with grown children in distant parts of the country. He shared his plans with his children, significant friends, and clergy and placed a copy of his plans on file at the church. As time passed, Allen's chronic health problems took a downward turn. Days after a biopsy, he went to his physician to hear of his advanced malignancy. On a Tuesday, a minister from the church accompanied Allen to the doctor's office. He left with no recommendation for treatment, a prognosis of six weeks, and a hospice referral. The hospice intake visit occurred on Wednesday and a consultative visit with an oncologist followed on Thursday. Friday, he visited with his priest and got a haircut. By Saturday afternoon, he was semicomatose and at midnight was transported to the hospital. A minister rode in the ambulance with him to the hospital, directives in hand, while two church friends followed in the car. Allen died on Sunday afternoon in the company of people he loved and who loved him, both through life-and all its glories and challenges, and through death-and all its mystery and hope.

A Final Affairs Fair can provide individuals with valuable information and tangible advice. During the day, there is also an opportunity for a free exchange of information and ample opportunity to question and seek clarification. In the process, fears can be addressed, misconceptions clarified, and doubts and confusion can be taken seriously and met with respect.

Planning a Final Affairs Fair is similar to planning any event. Organizers should identify planning and committee needs, date, location, costs, budget, and publicity. Every fair will have specific needs tailored to your individual organization or community. The following information is a general outline that can be used to create an end-of-life planning workbook for your participants.

End-of-Life Planning Workbook

  • Death certificate information sheet
    • General information such as name, address, date of birth
    • Social Security, military, VA information
    • Spousal information
    • Parental information
  • Communication and contact information sheet
    • Next of kin information
    • Names of children
    • Who should be contacted
  • Legal matters information sheet
    • Attorney information
    • Insurance information
    • Accountant information
    • Employer, executor, power of attorney
    • Safe deposit box information
    • Location of policies and important documents
  • Final arrangements
    • Burial benefits
    • Funeral home preferences
    • Prearrangements made
    • Obituary information
    • Cemetery plots
  • Treatment of the body 
    • Casket and burial
    • Alternatives
    • Organ donations
  • Other comments and instructions
  • Recommended Resources

This article originally appeared in Living With Grief: Loss in Later Life, Kenneth J. Doka, Editor,  © Hospice Foundation of America, 2002.

 
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