You’ve been with your partner for some time now. You’ve discussed getting a puppy, moving in together, and even kids. And, while you couldn’t agree on whether or not to get a pedigree or a pound puppy, or if naming your kid after your favorite cartoon-Ren & Stimpy-was a little too hipster, there is one thing you both agree on. You don’t want to get married. Now, you don’t want people to get the wrong idea. It’s not that you don’t believe in marriage. You love your partner and no one in your life doubts that you two aren’t meant for the long haul. You just don’t believe in government regulated marriage. Or maybe you just don’t think a piece of paper means anything. Or maybe, you just simply haven’t gotten around to it. Either way, you are not legally married and that is ok. Or, at least it was, while you both were alive.
Unless you are lucky enough to die together-look I know that sounds morbid but my partner and I discuss this, maybe too often-then you are eventually going to have to see the day when you one of is left alone. Sorry. I know this is not a fun topic to discuss but guys, that is why I am writing it. I have witnessed first-hand how devastating it is to sit across from someone who just lost their partner and then have to tell them they have no right to sign any paperwork or make any funeral decisions. Guys, it’s awful. And if you live in California there is a really simple fix. Can you guess what it is? Yup, that’s right. You can fill out an Advance Health Care Directive.
So just what is this “Advance Directive” you suspiciously ask? Well, it’s a really simply and easy to read form that dictates your health wishes should you be unable to make them yourself. It also allows for you to stipulate whether you want to donate your organs and what you would like for you funeral. At the very end you simply assign your health rights to the person of your choice, say perhaps, your loving Gomez or Morticia of a partner, have them sign it, and BAM, you are all set.
Guys I am begging you to take this seriously. I was going to make this a much longer piece but I don’t want to lose the very simple message I am trying to get across. Again, it’s totally ok if you don’t want to get married, but remember, without an Advance Health Care Directive you have zero rights to your partner’s disposition. So as an ending exercise I want you to close your eyes and picture who you would have to talk to in order to be a part of your partner’s funeral. Is it their mom and dad? If their parents are dead, then is it their adult child or children, who you are maybe not on super duper great terms with? I don’t want to scare you but I have seen partners all but beg for the remains of their love from family members and it is gut wrenching. Don’t let this happen to you! Be fun. Be free. Don’t be part of the system. But for the love of God and flying spaghetti monsters. Fill out an Advance Directive!!
Cover art by D*Face https://streetartnews.net/tag/dface
Death and the City 