Tag Archives: Death

“Tenth of December: Stories” by George Saunders

George Saunders' Tenth of December reveals a sparkling moment of hope as fates of a young boy and a terminally ill man intersect

It’s no surprise that George Saunders’ Tenth of December: Stories won the National Book Award for Fiction in 2014. The book was hailed by The New York Times Magazine as “the best book you’ll read this year.” “Tenth of December,” the … Continue reading

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“Cremation or Burial? A Jewish View” by Doron Kornbluth

A case advocating burial over the increasingly popular practice of cremation

Modern society tends to prefer cremation: it is perceived as cheaper than a burial, more environmentally sound, and, well, just more hip. To the contemporary person, “the idea of scattering ashes seems a eco-friendly alternative” to burial. The idea of … Continue reading

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”Fruit Tree” by Nick Drake

Nick Drake's gorgeous ode to tortured fame highlights life and death

Few songs capture the artist’s life as perfectly as Nick Drake’s “Fruit Tree.” Drake’s own life was filled with anguish as he struggled with depression and addiction, eventually consuming him entirely at just 26 years old. Despite his tormented history, … Continue reading

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Our Weekly Tip: Before Death: Estate Planning

How can you ease the uncertainties that can arise with settling an estate?

3 Tips to Keep in Mind During Estate Planning: 1) Gain Clarity: Understand what will need to be managed with this particular estate. Debt? Bank accounts? Real estate? 2) Embrace Proactivity: Many believe that estate planning shouldn’t be a concern … Continue reading

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Who is Left to Pay?

In some cultures, lavish funerals take families to the brink of bankruptcy

In Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, an impoverished widow spends her last rubles on her husband’s funeral and ends up destitute with her three children. The bitter satire of that chapter can still ring as true today as it did in … Continue reading

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“Septimus” by Rachel Wetzsteon

A personal look at a poem considering the tragedy and beauty that accompany both life and death

So often we are conditioned to think of death as something tragic. And, undoubtedly, losing someone is heartbreaking. It shakes your entire world. It changes the way you move through your day to day. I had been, for many years, the … Continue reading

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