Lessons From The Queen’s Death Plan

Learning From The Queen’s Death

The lessons we can learn from our Queen’s death and apply to our own mini-realms of family, friends and property.

During her reign, the Queen has given us examples of many kinds of things that remind us we are all human. Even in her final years, maybe not intentionally, she demonstrated a body slowly winding down, becoming less and less able, until finally the mechanism stopped.

In other words, a typical way that most will come to an end.

She appeared to be accepting this decline gracefully and with the fortitude, resilience and grace that flowed through much of her 70 years on the throne.

But she has also given us a perfect example of someone who planned in advance.

Preparing For The Inevitable

Her inevitable death was spoken about, planned for, and accepted as going to happen sometime. This was done many years ago, in the best of health.  Looking forward, she would have been able to admit the truth – that one day, her body would run out of steam.

That this would likely happen through a long slow decline (although it could happen suddenly).

And that this needed to be planned for, because she held the role of Queen and that brought with it certain responsibilities and a duty to carry out those responsibilities to the best of her abilities.

Plan ‘London Bridge’ was put in place in the early Sixties. This was so everyone would know exactly what needed to happen, when, where and how, from the moment of her passing.

This is what we are witnessing now. The execution of that plan.

Of course you can argue that a plan was needed because she was the Queen.

But what about your OWN realm?

Your realm includes family and/or friends, because you quite probably hold a special role for them.  

In creating Plan London Bridge, The Queen’s courtiers, advisers and whole family have been willing to imagine her simply not being here any more.

And that’s what you can do too. 

Acknowledge that you are a queen or a king in your Realm. And you too, like the Queen, could accept that one day, you too will die.

That with your death, when it happens, the people in your realm will be affected..

That by planning ahead and thinking it through, you will be enabling them to manage that occasion better.

The Queens’ Death Reminds Us Of Our Own Responsibilities

Let’s be clear, this takes courage.  Something the Queen had in spades. But courage is what is needed to face the inescapable fact that one day, you will no longer be here.

That thought could be seen as terrifying (and therefore you ignore it)

Even, possibly, perplexing (where do you go when you die; what happens, what IS a body anyway?)

You may be pragmatic and admitting of it (but still not have even a Will to help those coming after you, let alone anything else)

The Queen has given us all a great gift with this planning, in both her life AND her death. 

She has shown us the ordinary way that many bodies come to their end.

And she has also shown us the value of preparing ahead, so that those left behind are able to simply carry out her wishes without having to think about what should be done.

Until you have experienced the enormous relief that comes with this, it’s hard to understand the solace, comfort and grace that comes with carrying out what someone you love has told you they want.

It happened to me with my parents, who died within a week of each other in 2018. Because it had all been discussed, decided and documented, everything after their respective deaths was made so much easier for me and my siblings.

It was known how they wanted to be treated in the latter months of their lives, and what they wanted for their funeral. 

Planning Was Essential

It was planned exactly where the cremation was to happen, what to do with the ashes, what the service would consist of, the venue for the after-funeral celebration, the menu, the people to be invited (or not).

We sorted out where to find all the important documents. We checked what bank accounts there were and what the incoming and outgoing monies were for. It was decided what happens with their stuff, who to give, what to sell, and what for charity.   

All we had to do was carry out the instructions. This meant meant we all had the space and time for the natural grieving process.

We even knew what to do in later months regarding the sale of some of my Mum’s paintings. 

That’s what the Queen has done too. She had the courage to admit the truth (that she would die one day).

Also, the courage to go into the details of that (the exact nature of the private and public funeral).

And lastly, the courage to document all of that on paper.  That must have been a big weight off her shoulders and those around her. 

You can do it too – gather that courage up, take the action you know needs to be taken. And find the huge relief, reassurance and corresponding relaxation that making your end of life plan brings!