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Glenn Close Opens Up About Death Planning: A Call to Radical Self-Care

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 12:14 GMT by The Independent

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Glenn Close on Death Planning: Why the Conversation Is Finally Finding Its Voice

When the world’s most iconic leading‑woman, Glenn Close, decided to take her personal anxieties about mortality into the open, the result was a fresh, frank, and surprisingly heartfelt exposé that struck a chord with an entire generation of adults who have, for too long, treated death as a topic best left unsaid. In a feature that appeared in The Independent this week, Close—who turned 62 last year—shared the insights that have come from her own life experience, her close work with family, and a decade‑long process of confronting the inevitabilities that inevitably accompany old age. The piece is part myth, part practical guide, and part moral call to action, all of which coalesce around a single, compelling truth: planning for the end of life is a form of radical self‑care.

1. A Celebrity Who’s Learned to Face the End

Close’s story is set against the backdrop of a career that has seen her win a Tony Award, an Academy Award, and countless other accolades. Yet, beyond the glitz, the article recounts how the actress was spurred into action when her mother passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 57. “I watched my mother struggle, and I realized that there was no ‘how‑to‑plan‑for‑death’ book on my bookshelf,” she writes. In the wake of her loss, Close started to research the very thing many would dismiss as morbid: a death plan that ensures your wishes are respected, the financial strain on loved ones is reduced, and, most importantly, your dignity is preserved.

Close points out that the culture of “debt‑free life” and “universal healthcare” has given many of us a false sense of security. In reality, the legal and financial ramifications that accompany death are vast. A recent New York Times analysis (linked in the article) estimates that the average estate’s probate costs exceed 10% of its value—costs that can be avoided with thoughtful pre‑death planning.

2. The Three Pillars of a “Death Plan”

The feature breaks down a “death plan” into three distinct but interlocking elements: legal, logistical, and emotional.

1. Legal – Close stresses the importance of a comprehensive will that names an executor, delineates guardianship of any minors, and addresses the distribution of assets. She also recommends establishing a living trust to avoid probate and a Durable Power of Attorney to delegate financial decision‑making in case of incapacitation. The article links to a Bloomberg guide on trusts that walks readers through the types of trusts (revocable vs. irrevocable) and the pros and cons of each.

2. Logistical – Planning the funeral is a surprisingly complicated endeavor. Close explains that “a ‘funeral plan’ should go beyond the funeral home’s default options.” She suggests pre‑purchasing a burial plot or arranging a burial that aligns with personal or spiritual values—especially when you consider the cost of a standard “full‑service funeral” in many U.S. regions (the Associated Press notes an average of $9,000 for a basic package). The article’s hyperlink to FuneralNet provides a comparative cost chart and explains how to select a service that feels authentic rather than “one‑size‑fits‑all.”

3. Emotional – Close encourages people to have “the difficult conversations” with those they love. Her own family conversation was a watershed moment: her daughter, who had never spoken of her mother’s end-of-life wishes, came away with a better sense of the mother’s final desires. “If you don’t talk to them, they’ll make decisions for you that may not match what you want,” she cautions. A related link in the article takes readers to a Psychology Today piece on “end‑of‑life conversations,” including questions like “What would you like me to do in your final days?” and “Which people should I include in your care team?”

3. “Death Plans” in Popular Culture and Economics

The article doesn’t simply stop at the practicalities; it expands into a larger societal context. The feature cites a 2023 Forbes poll that found 68% of Americans have never written a will—despite the growing trend of “self‑care” in the public discourse. Close points out that the cultural taboo surrounding death makes it unlikely that people will seek out these plans spontaneously. Yet, the article argues, it is no different from planning a wedding or a vacation; the key difference is that, in death planning, the stakes are higher and the consequences linger.

One intriguing section references an emerging industry in the United States: the rise of death doulas. These professionals provide emotional, spiritual, and logistical support to individuals and families navigating the dying process. The article links to a Washington Post feature that profiles a death doula in Portland who has helped dozens of clients with “end‑of‑life rituals that honor their cultural heritage.” Close shares her personal encounter with a doula who assisted her mother’s funeral, describing how the service “cut through the usual bureaucracy and let us remember our mother’s personality.”

4. The Practical Toolkit

To give readers actionable next steps, the piece offers a concise checklist:

• Draft a Will: Use a reputable estate planning attorney or an online legal service such as LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer.
• Set Up a Living Trust: Consider a revocable trust if you want to retain flexibility.
• Name a Power of Attorney: Pick someone trustworthy and who shares your values.
• Choose a Funeral Home: Compare local providers; ask about “pre‑planning” packages.
• Secure Burial or Cremation Arrangements: Look into pre‑purchasing a plot or a green burial if it aligns with your wishes.
• Discuss with Family: Schedule a family meeting; use resources like the End‑of‑Life Conversations guide on Psychology Today.

The article further points readers toward a “Death Planner” app, a new digital tool that helps users create a death plan in under an hour. The app is highlighted as an easy way to keep all documents in one place and share them with family members securely.

5. The Final Thought: A Call to Own Your Narrative

In closing, Close returns to the emotional core that propelled the article: the feeling of control. “When you put everything in place, you’re not handing over your life to bureaucracy or to your loved ones’ misinterpretations,” she writes. “You’re saying that even when your body ends, your story continues on your terms.”

The piece concludes with a simple yet powerful message: death planning isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental human right. It ensures that you’re remembered, that you’re heard, and that you’re allowed to die with grace—just as you’ve always lived. The article, in its own gentle, unapologetic tone, invites readers to shift the conversation from the dread of the unknown to the empowerment of preparation. In doing so, The Independent has turned a celebrity’s personal insight into a rallying cry for a society that’s ready—or should be— to talk about the final chapter of our lives.