Death Readiness Doesn’t Happen in a Vacuum

My best friend came to Michigan this week, and we did what best friends do. We ran, we biked, we wandered, and we talked about everything. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, we also got her ready for her first meeting with a financial advisor.

We sat at my desk, both of us in our matching Death Readiness hoodies, pulling together her financial information, updating her statement, and tracking down passwords. Piece by piece, we made sure she could walk into that meeting feeling clear and prepared, instead of overwhelmed and guessing.

At another point in the week, we shifted gears and worked on her parents’ tax return, getting everything ready for their appointment the following week. Just two people sitting side by side, doing something that needed to get done. We didn’t have a sense of dread hanging over us. We simply wove these tasks into the rhythm of the week, right alongside the runs, the conversations, and the laughter.

That’s the part I wish more people understood. Death Readiness doesn’t require you to step outside your life. It doesn’t demand a perfectly clear schedule or a sudden burst of motivation. It happens in the margins—an hour at your desk, a conversation you’ve been meaning to have, a quick effort to pull together information that’s been scattered for too long.

And sometimes, the easiest way to make that space is to not do it alone. There’s something about sitting next to someone you trust, whether it’s a best friend, a partner, or a family member, that makes all of this feel more manageable. What might feel overwhelming on your own becomes surprisingly doable when it’s shared. You ask questions, fill in gaps and move things forward without overthinking every step.

So if you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to get started, you don’t need a perfect plan or a free weekend and don’t need to do everything all at once. You just need a small opening and maybe someone to sit next to you while you begin. Because this is what Death Readiness actually looks like.