In this episode of The Prestigious Initiative Podcast, host Chris Beane sits down with Greg Barnsdale, a licensed funeral director, Certified Financial Planner, and author of the best-selling book Do Not Ignore Your Mortality. With a unique blend of experience in both end-of-life care and financial planning, Greg shares invaluable insights into the importance of proactive end-of-life planning. He discusses how such preparation can reduce the stress of aging, enhance family harmony, and leave survivors more resilient. Tune in to learn practical steps to ensure your final affairs are in order, creating a meaningful legacy for your loved ones.
Why You Need to Plan for Death Now: Lessons from Greg Barnsdale on Mortality, Legacy, and Peace of Mind
On this episode of The Prestigious Initiative, I had a conversation that challenged me deeply. My guest was Greg Barnsdale—licensed funeral director, certified financial planner, and author of Do Not Ignore Your Mortality. Greg has spent over four decades in the end-of-life industry, helping people prepare for one of the most inevitable but least discussed realities: death.
This conversation wasn’t about doom and gloom. It was about freedom, peace, and legacy. Greg brought powerful, practical insights into why planning for death is an act of love for your family and how it can transform how you live today.
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation.
Death Planning Is About Love, Not Fear
I asked Greg why people should care about end-of-life planning. His answer was immediate:
“End-of-life planning has so many benefits. It’s not going to bring on death any sooner to talk about it, but it will bring peace to your family.”
Greg sees it every day. Families devastated not only by loss but by chaos—because final wishes were never discussed. The funeral decisions, the financial burdens, the legal tangles left behind…it can rip families apart.
Why People Avoid Talking About Death
We dug into why most of us avoid these conversations. Greg explained it’s often superstition or discomfort. People fear that if they talk about death, it will somehow arrive sooner.
He reminded us of this truth:
“Having these conversations while minds are clear is crucial. Your planning today won’t bring death closer, but avoiding it will bring stress and uncertainty later.”
Stoicism, Marcus Aurelius, and Modern Mortality
I asked Greg if stoicism’s focus on memento mori—remembering death—has made people more comfortable discussing it today. He said it’s improving, but society still struggles. However, he sees hope in the “death positive” movement, a term describing professionals working to bring death conversations into the light.
Greg explained:
“When I joined the funeral industry in the 80s, I didn’t know I was part of the death positive movement. But we all are—funeral directors, financial planners, lawyers, medical professionals—anyone helping people plan for life’s end.”
When Should You Start Planning?
I asked Greg when someone should start thinking about wills and end-of-life decisions. His answer was direct:
“Today is the best day to start. Once we have kids, we should definitely have a will. But honestly, these conversations should start far earlier.”
Too many people think they don’t need a will because they “don’t have much.” But Greg emphasized:
✅ A will isn’t just about distributing stuff.
✅ It’s about appointing someone to wrap up your life.
✅ Without a will, the government decides—and that’s rarely what you’d want.
Online Wills: Pros and Cons
We talked about the rise of online will-making platforms. Greg said they can be inexpensive and fast, but there are critical risks:
- Many online wills aren’t valid in all jurisdictions.
- Complex situations—like owning property in multiple states, paying child support, or having a disabled child—require a lawyer.
- “You get what you pay for,” Greg warned. An online will is better than none, but a professionally prepared will ensures it stands up in court.
Family Meetings: The Most Important Conversation You’re Avoiding
Greg recommends holding family meetings—ideally around Thanksgiving or Christmas when everyone is together. Not to dampen the mood with doom, but to share your wishes and hear concerns.
He’s created 30 powerful questions to guide these conversations, available for free on his website (DoNotIgnoreYourMortality.com). As he put it:
“When families talk openly, it reduces confusion, resentment, and legal battles later. Communication is the first step to peace.”
Planning Isn’t Just for You – It’s For Them
One of the most impactful moments of our conversation was when Greg shared:
“One of our greatest fears at death is wondering if our loved ones will be okay. End-of-life planning lifts that burden.”
He sees families torn apart when there’s no will, no funeral plan, and no financial protection. Grief becomes anger and chaos. But planning can:
✅ Reduce stress of aging
✅ Leave loved ones emotionally and financially resilient
✅ Prevent family conflict
✅ Create meaningful legacies
✅ Help charities through estate giving
✅ Ease the burden on courts and the economy
Greg’s Personal Mortality Wake-Up Call
Greg shared a deeply personal story. Two months after publishing his book Do Not Ignore Your Mortality, he was diagnosed with a large brain tumor.
He told me:
“I’ve spent years teaching people to plan ahead. Then I was forced to face it myself.”
He talked about the shock of hearing the news, telling his wife, and how his training as a funeral director and financial planner prepared him. He now updates all passwords and credentials regularly so his wife can access everything if something happens.
“Any of us can be gone in an instant. Planning is about love and responsibility.”
Medical Assistance in Dying: The New End-of-Life Reality
In Canada, medical assistance in dying (MAID) has been legal since 2016. Greg shared the story of his cousin, who chose MAID after multiple strokes.
He described how 20 family members gathered around him, tears streaming, as he passed peacefully at the time and place of his choosing.
“Humans crave control,” Greg said. “More people want control over how their life ends.”
We also discussed Exit International in Switzerland, where couples can choose to end life together without requiring a medical diagnosis. It’s a controversial but growing trend as people seek autonomy at life’s end.
Death Changes Everything – And Everyone
As a funeral director, Greg has seen it all:
- Peaceful deaths at old age
- Young lives cut short
- Suicides
- Fistfights at funerals over inheritance disputes
He told me:
“The cause of death impacts the funeral’s atmosphere. But in every case, having plans in place gives families the space to grieve instead of fight.”
Leaving a Legacy: Charitable Giving in Estate Planning
Greg emphasized that charitable giving is a powerful way to create impact after you’re gone. But, he said:
“Most tax-saving, charitable planning strategies die with us. The time to set them up is while you’re alive.”
Working with a financial planner can help integrate charity into your estate plan, saving taxes and supporting causes you believe in.
Key Takeaways from Greg Barnsdale
✅ Start planning today. Tomorrow isn’t promised.
✅ Have family meetings. Share your wishes while you’re here.
✅ Get a will. Online is better than nothing, but complex situations require a lawyer.
✅ Update regularly. Major life events, moves, and new laws require updates.
✅ Plan funeral wishes. Burial, cremation, composting, diamond transformation—your family needs clarity.
✅ Consider charitable giving. It’s tax-efficient and deeply meaningful.
✅ Communicate everything. Peace of mind comes from clarity, not assumptions.
Final Thoughts: Death Isn’t the End – It’s the Legacy You Leave
This conversation with Greg was one of the most profound on the show. Death planning is an act of love, wisdom, and self-leadership. It’s not about fear. It’s about taking responsibility for those you care about most.
If you want to start your own planning journey, visit DoNotIgnoreYourMortality.com. Take Greg’s Living Legacy Quiz, download his questions for family meetings, and grab his book.
Remember: Life is precious because it ends. The way you prepare for that ending defines the legacy you leave behind.
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