Description
Get Ahead of Being Dead by Evie King: Your Handy Planner for the End of Life
Death is one of the few certainties in life, yet it’s something many of us avoid planning for until it’s too late. Get Ahead of Being Dead by Evie King approaches the subject differently, combining practical guidance, genuine compassion and a wonderfully dark sense of humour to make one of life’s most uncomfortable conversations surprisingly approachable.
Drawing on her experience as a former council funeral officer, Evie King guides readers through the practical realities that follow death. From planning your funeral wishes and organising important paperwork to managing digital accounts, decluttering your home and preparing your online legacy, every chapter encourages you to make thoughtful decisions now rather than leaving them for loved ones later.
Alongside practical checklists and exercises, the book shares real stories from Evie’s work arranging council funerals, offering insight into the challenges families often face when nothing has been planned in advance. Rather than dwelling on loss, Get Ahead of Being Dead reminds us that preparing for death is ultimately an act of kindness towards the people we leave behind.
Written with warmth, wit and honesty, the book has been praised for making an intimidating subject feel accessible, balancing practical advice with humour that never undermines the importance of the topic.
Why We Chose This Book
At Wax Spiritual, we believe conversations about death deserve the same openness as conversations about life. Preparing for the practical aspects of dying isn’t morbid. It’s compassionate, responsible and deeply caring.
Whether you’re organising your own affairs, supporting ageing parents, or simply interested in the growing death-positive movement, Get Ahead of Being Dead offers practical guidance to help you prepare well, so you can spend more time living well.
Preparing for death isn’t about dwelling on the end of life. It’s about taking ownership of the practical realities we often postpone, creating space for honest conversations, and ensuring that the people we care about aren’t left guessing our wishes during one of the hardest moments of their lives.
What makes Get Ahead of Being Dead particularly refreshing is that it doesn’t expect you to have everything figured out before you begin. Whether you’re making your first will, considering your funeral wishes, or simply trying to organise the practical aspects of your life, Evie King breaks each topic into manageable, thoughtful steps. Preparing for death isn’t about dwelling on mortality. It’s about taking ownership of the practical realities we often postpone, creating space for honest conversations, and ensuring that the people we care about aren’t left guessing our wishes during one of the hardest moments of their lives.
