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Planning Ahead Is a Loving Act: Why Preplanning Matters

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None of us like to think about the end of our lives and yet, every time I support a family through the death of a loved one, one truth becomes crystal clear: preplanning is one of the greatest gifts we can leave behind. As a death doula, my role is to walk beside people — not to fix, rush or avoid the inevitable but to help make space for reflection, clarity and choice. I support individuals and families in exploring what matters most as they approach death, including the very practical (and emotional) work of planning ahead.


Often, when no conversations or wishes have been shared in advance, families are left making dozens of decisions under stress, trying to guess what the person would have wanted, often while carrying the heavy emotions of grief. It can lead to confusion, tension and regret.

But when someone has taken the time to think about and share their wishes, for their care, their legacy, their funeral — the sense of relief is palpable. It becomes an act of love that echoes outward.

That’s why I’m so passionate about preplanning. It isn’t about being morbid, it’s about being prepared. It’s about claiming your voice, your values and your story. It’s about easing the emotional and practical burden for those you love most.

At Four Swans Therapy Centre, a place rooted in reflection and healing, I’m offering a gentle, guided workshop designed to support this important work.

Final Wishes, Lasting Love creates a calm space to begin (or continue) thinking about your wishes. Together, we’ll use the Irish Hospice Foundation’s Think Ahead Planning Pack to explore what matters to you and how you’d like to be remembered.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to know where to start. You just need to be willing to take the first step.

Join me at Four Swans for Final Wishes, Lasting Love Workshop
Saturday 24th May from 12:00 – 2:30pm. The fee is €45 which includes the Think Ahead Planning Pack and refreshments.

To book your place, email sarah@echoesoflife.ie or text 087 7825184. You’re warmly welcome.