Before All Is Said and Done: Practical Advice on Living and Dying Well

"For a culture that finds it difficult to talk about the end of life, Before All Is Said and Done is the roadmap we all need to navigate the practicalities of death while experiencing shock, loss, and grief." –Lee Woodruff, NYT Bestselling author

We prepare for the birth of a baby. We buy diapers, a crib, and clothes. But how many of us prepare for death?

The notion of planning for one's death is intrinsically at odds with our human instinct to avoid considering our own mortality. Although we may contemplate the grief that our life's impermanence would cause to our loved ones, we seldom consider the myriad of emotional legal issues that can arise afterward.

Before All Is Said and Done begins with the experience of author Pat Miles Zimmerman and her husband, Charles "Bucky" Zimmerman. Pat and Bucky were fully set for life but, regrettably, not set for death. After Bucky's death from an abrupt and short illness, Pat found herself with a plate full of legal problems that she had never anticipated. But, as she spoke with other widows, she learned she was not alone in finding herself adrift after losing a spouse. The shock and grief that erupt from the loss of someone dearly beloved do not create a state of mind fit for navigating the numerous challenges that follow an unexpected death.

Before All Is Said and Done dutifully and courageously confronts a challenging topic head-on—planning for one's death. In helping readers navigate the pitfalls of death and dying, it's a book that will prepare us for the oft-ignored problems that run in tandem with somber situations:
• The shock of loss and what to expect
• Planning for a sudden death or a prolonged illness
• Facing a potential cognitive decline
• Finding support and healthy grieving during a complex time
• Connecting with ethical and morally sound attorneys/lawyers
• Family disputes and blended family issues
• Caring for yourself after the loss

In addition to Pat's personal story, the book includes accounts and advice through the lens of widows and widowers, attorneys, doctors, financial advisors, and many other experts. Although we may initially shirk away from the notion of our life's transience, it is powerfully beneficial to ready ourselves and our loved ones for every stage of life—and death. Before All Is Said and Done weaves the definitive path on how to be set for both.