Denial of Death Doesn’t Prevent Death

The other day, my youngest sister sent me a text message that read, “Denial of death doesn’t delay death. It simply prevents preparation, which inevitably leads to distress and discomfort.”

I can’t unsee this, in part because it so succinctly explains the “why” for EOL Blueprint Advisors.

Denial is a psychosocial mechanism that typically protects the denier from anxiety and acute distress. This is normal. We all stick our heads in the sand sometime.

But if you keep your head in the sand for too long, imagine the consequences.

Persistent denial can be problematic if it prevents the denier from making changes to protect themselves, their loved ones, and/or their community(ies). Consider the teen who insists they are skilled and careful on their scooter and don’t need protective gear. Just one fall can lead to a life-changing head injury. Or the person with alcoholism who insists they aren’t too impaired to drive. One slow reflex can lead to a costly accident.

Denial of death doesn’t prevent death. But it can prevent someone from:

• Accessing hospice early in their end-of-life (EOL) process, losing out on the benefits of this interdisciplinary comfort care.

• Putting their financial and administrative affairs in order, leaving their loves ones to waste time and money sorting through paperwork to bring closure to their life.

• Saying good-bye to the people they love, which has the potential to complicate the grieving process for the people left behind.

EOL Blueprint Advisors does more than help people put their affairs in order. They also help clients deal with their fears of death so they can thoughtfully prepare to maximize their time at EOL feeling comfort and love.

Do you think you might be ready to get your head out of the sand and start thinking about your EOL period? Reach out for a free consultation with the team at EOL Blueprint Advisors.

Photo credit: “Doodle Beach” by Mike, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0