I dealt with my grief this past year by learning about the funerary process, laws and options and taking some steps to plan for my own departure accordingly. I’ve always been kind of a goth, into spooky aesthetics, Halloween and horror movies, but I knew very little about the real life funeral industry and estate planning. I take some comfort in knowing that my loved ones will have an easier time than I have had when I go because there will be fewer financial things to figure out, and my wishes about my remains are made clear and are written down. Even passwords and accounts to be closed are recorded. I know it’s just the dumb, mundane stuff, it’s something that I can do for them now, while I’m still young and healthy, so it’s one or two fewer things they’ll have to deal with. I know it sounds very pragmatic, but it really makes me feel better. The grief comes in waves. It’s not on a schedule, it’s unpredictable.