August is Make-A-Will Month, and while the topic of end-of-life planning can be uncomfortable, it’s also one of the most compassionate and important conversations you can have with yourself and your loved ones.
We sat down with and Keely Rhiannon, our Lead Grief Counselor, to learn more about why creating a will, trust, or power of attorney isn’t just paperwork, but a powerful act of love and guidance.
“In walking alongside those who are grieving, I’ve seen how deeply healing it can be when a loved one has clearly expressed their wishes and created a will,” Keely said. “It becomes a final act of love; a way of easing the path for those left behind.”
She explained that this clarity lifts a heavy weight, allowing family and friends to focus on remembering, feeling, and honoring, rather than struggling with uncertainty.
“In many ways,” Keely shared, “it’s like leaving a lantern on the path, guiding loved ones through the dark, toward peace, connection, and the freedom to grieve with open hearts.”
The Tools that Empower and Protect
“You can’t do it too soon,” advised Kelly Kovach-Collicott, a social worker on Angela Hospice’s Home Hospice team, who supports families navigating some of life’s most emotionally complex moments. She emphasizes the importance of starting these conversations early, before crisis or illness adds urgency.
Here are some key tools she recommended everyone have in place to make things easier for their family and loved ones:
Power of Attorney (POA)
A POA allows you to choose someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf, both medical and financial, if you become unable to do so. Without a POA, decision-making may fall by default to your next of kin, but that may not reflect your wishes. For instance, the responsibility doesn’t automatically go to the oldest child or closest relative.
With a POA, you remain in control for as long as you are able.
“It doesn’t take away your authority,” Kelly explained. “You remain in control unless and until you’re unable to act.”
Wills and Trusts
Wills and trusts are documents that ensure your assets, belongings, and wishes are clearly outlined and legally recognized. A will helps distribute your property after death and can name guardians for children. A trust offers more control, including who manages your estate and how your wishes are carried out. You can even designate someone outside the family if that feels more appropriate.
Have the conversation BEFORE You Think You Need To
When someone enters hospice or becomes seriously ill, emotions run high and conversations about care, finances, and legacy become significantly harder. Kelly urges families to talk before the pressure is on.
“Having these conversations early gives you more time, more thought, and more peace,” she said.
Talk to a Professional
While online templates may be a convenient and tempting option, Kelly strongly recommends speaking with a professional, such as an estate attorney or legal advisor, to ensure your wishes are clear, complete, and legally sound. The peace of mind you gain from knowing your affairs are in order is worth every minute.
What You May Not Have Considered:
- You don’t need to be wealthy or elderly to create a will. If you have any possessions, dependents, or medical preferences, it matters.
- You can revise your will or trust as your life changes. It’s not a “set it and forget it” decision, it evolves with you.
- Choosing someone to act as your power of attorney or executor is an act of trust and clarity, not burden.
Bottom Line: Planning Ahead Is a Gift
Making a will isn’t just about property or paperwork, it’s about offering your loved ones clarity, guidance, and comfort in what may be one of the hardest times of their lives.
This August, during Make-A-Will Month, take the first step. Start the conversation. Make the call. Leave the lantern lit.
