Death is inevitable, but we can all try to make it easier on those left behind. That’s the premise behind the Guide for Preparation for Death and Memorials that is offered to help Mountain View Friends Meeting members and attenders prepare for their own deaths as well as the deaths of friends and relatives. This short document also outlines responsibilities of family, friends and Meeting committees such as Death and Memorials. At the back of the guide are two forms, which are included separately on the download buttons below: End-of-Life Plans and Wishes, and Biographical Information.
How to complete the forms:
- Forms can be printed and filled out by hand (please scan or photograph the form if you are going to email it to us).
- If you prefer to fill out the form on your computer, you may use the text comments option in the free version of Adobe Acrobat. Be sure to save the form with your text.
Storage options for forms:
- If you would like the Meeting to keep your completed forms in a protected Google Drive maintained by the Death and Memorials Committee, you may email your forms to mountainviewfriendsmemorials@gmail.com.
- You may also send or give completed forms to others or keep them in a place that is shared with friends and family.
Information about Death, Dying, and Memorials (Extracted from Guide for Preparation for Death and Memorials):
Burials
Colorado Department of Human Services – Burial Assistance Services
https://drive.google.com/file/d/186Nnb4eQkjHLO8jqaASaci7iaOlRxDM8/view
Burials for Veterans
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials
Burial Fund for Spouses of Deceased
Funeral Consumer Society of Colorado
https://funeralconsumercolorado.org
Green Burials – The Natural Funeral
https://www.thenaturalfuneral.com
Death
Colorado Bar Association website
Colorado End of Life Options Act
Donation of the Body
https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/state-anatomical-board
Phone numbers: 303-724-2410 for general information and about donation of body parts; also for donation of body parts, 720-848-0000.
Can donate organs in advance of death when applying for a driver’s license:
https://www.donatelifecolorado.org/understanding-donation/more-resources/license-and-state-id
Memorials
Availability of Meetinghouse – check calendar by contacting calendar@mountainviewfriends.org
Other Resources
NPR program on how end-of-life planning is a gift to your loved ones
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/26/884051182/end-of-life-planning-is-a-lifetime-gift-to-your-loved-ones.
Queries for aging, death, and dying
https://www.fgcquaker.org/exercises/queries-for-aging-death-and-dying/
A Quaker approach to living with dying
https://www.fgcquaker.org/exercises/a-quaker-approach-to-living-with-dying/
The Colorado Senior Blue Book
https://seniorsbluebook.com/local/colorado-denver
On Quaker Deathways: Practices Around Death and Dying
https://quakerspeak.com/video/deathways/
Your Life Your Priorities: Options for Managing End-of-Life Decisions:
https://compassionandchoices.org/resource/your-life-your-priorities/
The Colorado Bar Association’s website,
https://www.cobar.org/For-the-Public/Legal-Brochures, for relevant brochures on:
● Advance Medical Directives
● Colorado’s Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act
● Elder/Probate Mediation
● Estate Planning
● Living Trusts
● Probate in Colorado
● So Now You Are an Agent Under Financial Powers of Attorney
● So Now You Are a Conservator
● So Now You Are a Guardian
● So Now You Are a Personal Representative
● So Now You Are a Trustee
● What is a Power of Attorney?
● What to Do When Someone Dies
● Wills in Colorado