Reddit meter
What to Do When I'm Gone
144 pages, 2018
A mother’s advice to her daughter—a guide to daily living, both practical and sublime—with full-color illustrations throughout. One sleepless night while she was in her early twenties, illustrator/writer Hallie Bateman had a painful realization: Someday, her mother would be gone.
The prospect was devastating, and also scary—how would she navigate the world without the person who gave her life? She thought about all the motherly advice she would miss—advice that could help her through the challenges to come, including the ordeal of losing a parent.
Suzy Hopkins emphasizes the importance of planning for the inevitable. She encourages readers to explore their options and make decisions about their end-of-life care and final arrangements ahead of time.
The book encourages open conversations about death. It's a topic many shy away from, but Hopkins insists that discussing it can help ease fear and uncertainty. So, take a look at your own feelings about death and start the conversation with your loved ones.
What to Do When I'm Gone is filled with practical advice. From how to write a will to planning a funeral, Hopkins provides a step-by-step guide. It's a great resource to check when you're ready to start planning.
The author doesn't just focus on the practical aspects. She also talks about the emotional preparation for death. She encourages readers to research and find ways to cope with grief and loss, making it a holistic guide.
Despite the heavy topic, Hopkins manages to infuse humor and compassion into her writing. This makes the book not just informative, but also comforting and relatable. It's a reminder that it's okay to laugh and find joy even when discussing death.
