News and Notes: Facing Mortality

Feb 11, 2014 | 0 comments

Pine Box Illustration

Illustration by Robert G. Fresson for the New York Times

We have a very special guest on this week’s A Good Goodbye Radio program. Dr. Jeffrey Piehler wrote an essay titled “Ashes to Ashes, but First a Nice Pine Box” that appeared in the Sunday New York Times on February 2. Facing his mortality due to incurable Stage 4 prostate cancer, he decided to build his own wooden coffin for his eventual funeral and cremation (click for more background).

Please join me and Jeff Piehler for an honest conversation about the party no one wants to plan on Wednesday, February 12 at 6:00 p.m. ET | 3:00 p.m. PT on Toginet 2.0 Talk Radio. You can call in while listening live online though this toll free number: 866-404-6519.

Top Tips from Last Week’s Show

Sherri Burr

Prof. Sherri Burr

On last week’s A Good Goodbye Radio show, Sherri Burr, a law professor and author or co-author of 19 books, discussed estate planning for those folks who make a living with their creativity and wits. Here are a few tips about estate planning from that conversation.

  • In any given year, 60% to 75% of Americans die without a will. This leaves your property to be divided among certain family members, dictated by the state in which you reside.
  • If you want to leave any property to a friend or an organization, someone who is not a relative by blood or marriage, write a will.
  • There are three types of property: real estate, tangible goods and intellectual property. If you are an author or artist, your intellectual property can continue to generate income beyond your lifetime.
  • The estates of actors and musicians may generate millions of dollars from royalties and use of their images after their deaths. Estate planning enables the family to benefit from postmortem income.
  • Use the Internet to research what wills look like, local attorneys and their fees, and find out what you need to know NOW.

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Upcoming Events, Interviews and a Humorous Quote

Click on the date for more details about each event.

Dharma WheelFebruary 19:  Buddhist funeral traditions discussed on A Good Goodbye Radio with guest Rev. Harry Gyokyo Bridge, resident minister of the Buddhist Church of Oakland.

February 24:  Exit Strategies film talk at Central New Mexico Community College Death & Dying class, free and open to everyone.

Carole Brody Fleet

Carole Brody Fleet

February 26:  A Good Goodbye Radio interview with Carole Brody Fleet, author of WIDOWS WEAR STILETTOS and her follow-up book, HAPPILY EVEN AFTER: A Guide to Getting Through (and Beyond) the Grief of Widowhood.

March 7-9:  Frozen Dead Guy Days in Nederland, Colorado – Gail’s conducting The Newly-Dead Game® and showing the documentary “Grandpa’s in the TUFF SHED.”

“Death? I should live so long!” — Jean Paulhan

A Good Goodbye