Most people know they should write a will. Yet many never get around to it. Some feel overwhelmed by the legal side of things. Others believe they have plenty of time. And many simply do not know where to start. When I talk with people about planning for death, even if that moment may be many years away, I rarely begin with documents. I begin with a different question. What matters most to you? Before anyone writes a will, it helps to pause and think about values. Who are th

What you and your spouse should know about Social Security if illness or loss changes your plans. Most couples don’t talk about what happens to Social Security if one of them gets really sick or dies. It’s not something we bring up over dinner. But at some point, one of you will need to know. I’ve seen how overwhelming it can be. A spouse is dealing with grief, medical decisions, and legal paperwork. Then Social Security gets added to the mix. Forms, deadlines, confusing ru

Many people say Social Security feels like a puzzle they never learned to solve. The rules can seem complicated, the news can be alarming, and most of us only pay attention as retirement approaches. By then, it is easy to wish we had learned about it sooner. But Social Security is not meant to be confusing. Once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier to follow. When you know how it works, you can make choices with more confidence. This guide walks through those pi

A practical, shame-free guide to helping loved ones stay safe When someone close to you falls for a scam, your first reaction might be disbelief. I know mine was. A family member of mine lost a significant amount of money. Not once. Twice. And like so many families, we said what most people say: They should have known better. It’s a common reaction. Scams seem obvious when you're not the one in the middle of them. But that belief, that smart people don't fall for scams, do

What you can do now to help your loved ones avoid probate later* Many people believe they have their affairs in order. They may have a will, or they may assume accounts will be transferred to the right people without any trouble. It seems straightforward. Then the family discovers that a few details were missed. In my work as an end-of-life doula, I see how quickly things can get complicated. Families arrive with a binder of papers. As we go through it, small gaps show up. Ma

An estimated 41% of adults in the U.S., over 100 million people, are burdened with some form of healthcare debt. That’s not a fringe issue. That’s nearly half the adult population feeling the weight of bills they often didn’t expect, don’t fully understand, or shouldn’t owe at all. If you’ve ever opened a medical bill and felt a mix of confusion, disbelief, and anxiety - you’re not alone. And the good news? You’re not powerless, either. Whether it’s a confusing insurance de

You open the letter, read the words, and your heart sinks: your claim has been denied. Whether it’s a procedure you expected to be covered or a medication you’ve relied on, you’re left wondering what to do next. As an end-of-life doula, I support clients through this stress. Advocacy is a part of my work, and helping with insurance denials is a part of that. I’ve seen how confusing, exhausting, and even scary this process can be, especially when someone is already managing a

What Does a Financial Planner Do? When you think of financial planning, you might picture spreadsheets, investment strategies, and a lot of overwhelming numbers. But as Elliott Appel, founder of Kindness Financial Planning, explains, it’s so much more than that. Financial planning is about aligning your money with your life and values. It’s about creating peace of mind, especially during life’s most challenging moments, like caregiving, aging, or coping with grief. In this

Planning your own funeral might seem uncomfortable at first, but it could be one of the most compassionate things you do for your loved ones. In the latest episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula , Traci Arieli talks with Ryan Kolstad, founder of Preplanning.me , about why funeral preplanning is more than just an end-of-life task—it’s a way to offer peace and clarity to your family during a time of grief. Is it a good idea to preplan a funeral? W

In the latest episode of Comforting Closure – Discussions with a Death Doula, we talk about a topic that’s often pushed to the sidelines but is of critical importance - estate planning. Joined by estate attorney Debra Cassara, we demystify the complexities and provide actionable insights to navigate this essential path effectively. Key Insights from the Episode: The Essence of Estate Planning: Why it’s not just for the wealthy and how it impacts every individual and their

Transcript: Traci: Hello, everyone. This is Traci Arieli, an end-of-life doula and founder of Comforting Closure. Today, I'm thrilled to have a remarkable guest with me. Please welcome Rosie Poliquin from Pinnacle Elite/World Financial Group. Rosie's mission is to assist people in planning for unexpected circumstances, including end-of-life scenarios. She understands firsthand the importance of protecting hard-earned savings from being depleted by medical or living expenses.