The recent passing of several celebrities underscores the fact that death can come for each of us at any moment, fame or fortune notwithstanding. Although (unfortunately) it is unfashionable to talk about our own inevitable deaths in today's age, it has long been the advice of saints that we should think often of death. This way we can prepare for it and, by the mercy of God, have what is known by faithful Catholics as a "happy death".
Since your death can come at any time, even without warning - possibly today - do yourself a favor by making some important preparations for your own happy death. On this note, we will include some resources herein that we hope may be of some assistance, along with some other important points to consider regarding death.
In any event, please don't put off your preparation for a happy death because you never know when your time may come. Remember that the state of your soul at death will affect your entire eternity - and that a single unrepented mortal sin at death is enough to condemn a soul: "It is of faith that Heaven exists for the good and Hell for the wicked. Faith teaches that the pains of Hell are eternal, and it also warns us that one single mortal sin suffices to condemn a soul forever because of the infinite malice by which it offends an infinite God." (St. Anthony Mary Claret)
Even if you are very busy, make the time now for this critical preparation. Don't put it off. Really, don't. Your eternal happiness may be at stake.
Some Resources (click link to view)
* Prayers For Final Perseverance / Happy Death
* Information on Suffering & Death (Topics include: Suffering Has Meaning, How to Suffer, When a Loved One is Suffering or Dying, and When a Loved One Has Died)
* Reflections on Death (a wealth of quotations from popes, saints, scripture, etc.)
* Information on the Sacrament of Extreme Unction / Anointing of the Sick
Other items to consider (and discuss with your loved ones, as applicable):
* A priest should be called early - don't wait until there is "extreme" danger of death - "We should not wait until we are in extreme danger before we receive Extreme Unction, but if possible we should receive it while we have the use of our senses." (Baltimore Catechism) [more information]
* Ensure that the priest brings Viaticum to the dying [more information]
* A plenary indulgence may be available at the approach of death [more information]
* St. Joseph is patron saint of a happy death & a number of saints are invoked against sudden death [patron saints index]
* Develop a strong Marian devotion and ask the Blessed Virgin to be your advocate in death.
* Take some time to consider the controversy surrounding organ donation. It is well known that standards in the medical community may result in organs being removed before a person is actually dead - and that such organ harvesting necessarily causes the person's death and is therefore a violation of the 5th commandment. [Note: We have a short flier on organ donation (click here), but there are also invaluable references online which expose problems associated with organ donation and include astonishing admissions by the medical community (try using a major search engine for more information)]. Be sure to advise your loved ones of these facts.
* Instruct your loved ones in advance to call a priest even after your "apparent death", if necessary (e.g. if you have no heartbeat, no brainwaves, no breathing, etc.), since one cannot be certain that the soul has left the body until the body reaches a certain, irreversible state (i.e. putrefaction). [Note: If a priest does not wish to come after apparent death, he may be reminded of his obligation. Note that he may give the sacrament of Extreme Unction conditionally if he thinks someone is dead.] [more information]
* As applicable, instruct your loved ones that you want a traditional Requiem, as is your right, rather than be 'canonized' at a modern service [try here for info]
* Be sure your family knows to pray for you, have Masses said for you, etc. after your death. Especially value Mass at a privileged altar, Gregorian Masses (Trental), enrollments for perpetual Masses, and annual Masses on the anniversary of your death.
Also, to inspire the fear of God - the beginning of all Wisdom (Ps. 111:10, Prov. 9:10, etc.) - it is good to remember that few are saved...
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mt. 7:13-14)
"Many are invited, but few are chosen." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mt. 22:14)
"Someone asked [Jesus], 'Lord, will only a few people be saved?' He answered them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.'" (Lk. 13:23-24)
"For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail to obey the gospel of God? 'And if the righteous one is barely saved, where will the godless and the sinner appear?'" (St. Peter, 1 Pt. 4:17-18)
"[M]any will be damned; few will be saved." (St. Benedict Joseph Labre)
"Taking into account the behavior of mankind, only a small part of the human race will be saved." (Sr. Lucy of Fatima)
"The number of the Elect is so small - so small - that were we to know how small it is, we should faint away with grief" (St. Louis Marie de Montfort)
"Attend to the words, for they have an especial force, many walk in the broad way few find the narrow way. For the broad way needs no search, and is not found, but presents itself readily; it is the way of all who go astray. Whereas the narrow way neither do all find, nor when they have found, do they straightway walk therein. Many, after they have found the way of truth, caught by the pleasures of the world, desert midway." (St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church)
Finally, don't forget the wonderful news that God is rich in mercy. To receive His mercy, repent sincerely. Do it now. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt. 4:17) If you have an unconfessed mortal sin, get to confession asap. Do not delay. Remember...
"There is hope of mercy in time and in eternity; but there is confession in time only, and not in eternity. There is no confession of sins in any time except in this present life. By his own will each man is permitted and has throughout life the freedom to choose confession. But when we die we loose life and along with it the right to exercise our will. For then a law already set down unto rest or unto punishment sustains, in accord with its past exercise" (St. Hilary of Poitiers, Doctor of the Church)
Closing quotations...
"Since we are travelers and pilgrims in the world, let us ever ponder on the end of the road, that is of our life, for the end of our roadway is our home." (St. Columban)
"Life is short; death is certain; and the world to come is everlasting." (Cardinal Newman)
"Of all the things of life, a happy death is our principal concern. For if we attain that, it matters little if we lose all the rest. But if we do not attain that, nothing else is of any value." (Bl. Juniperro Serra)
"So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." (Our Lord Jesus Christ, Mt. 24:44)
Additional Resources:
* Prayers for Deceased Persons
* Purgatory Information (Purgatory Release Project)
* More Quotations (Reflections)
* Share thoughts / tips regarding death: Catholic Life Section | Catholic Seniors Section
* More Resources - See A-Z index for 10,000+ topics
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