
Late To Your Own Funeral
How To Leave a Legacy and Not a Logjam
Rachel Donnelly
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
The only aspect of life more certain than death? The bureaucratic nightmare that accompanies it. In Late To Your Own Funeral, Rachel Donnelly offers an effective and entertaining guide out of estate settlement purgatory.
“Rachel’s irreverent humor and no-nonsense guidance make legacy planning not just manageable but oddly enjoyable.” — Matt Paxton, author of Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff and television host of Hoarders
Nearly 70% of Americans have no estate plan, leaving their loved ones to face a maze of administrative challenges in their darkest hours. From planning funeral arrangements to the seemingly impossible task of canceling cable service, the logistics of loss often compound grief in unexpected ways.
After losing several family members in quick succession, Donnelly realized that navigating grief is hard enough without the added burden of managing an estate. What mourners need most, she learned, isn't another casserole, but a guide through death's bureaucracy. Now, as an after loss and legacy planning consultant, she serves as a "wedding coordinator—but for death," helping others navigate the administrative maze of estate settlement.
Through a blend of practical insight and unflinching honesty, Donnelly offers a roadmap for both the living and those thrust into the role of executor. Late To Your Own Funeral helps readers face the conversations everyone else avoids, giving loved ones an invaluable gift: the ability to mourn without drowning in paperwork.
PRAISE & REVIEWS
“In Late To Your Own Funeral, Rachel Donnelly masterfully combines sound estate planning advice with humor and real-life stories of estate planning (or the lack thereof). As a professional in after loss care for 15 years, I discovered new strategies I need to incorporate with my clients! This book is really a must-read for everyone—unless you can guarantee you won’t die!”
Shane Phillips, author of First Steps: A Comprehensive Guide to Financial Matters After a Death
“Full of the wit and wisdom that is Rachel Donnelly. Before or after the death of a loved one, she helps us sort through all the necessary stuff with her smarts, experience, efficiency, compassion, and a sense of humor.”
Jennifer A. O’Brien, MSOD, award-winning author of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow and Care Boss
"This is the book we all need, but don't necessarily want to think about. Late to Your Own Funeral is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and brutally honest... A guide to facing life’s biggest certainty with clarity, organization, and even a little laughter."
Adam Zuckerman, Founder of Buried in Work
"Rachel Donnelly deftly navigates the complexities of legacy planning in Late To Your Own Funeral, providing invaluable guidance with both warmth and wisdom. A must-read for anyone looking to ease the administrative burdens of death."
Suzanne O’Brien, RN, author of The Good Death
RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2025
Formats: Hardback, Paperback, Ebook
ISBN 979-8-9925127-0-0 | 979-8-9925127-1-7 | 979-8-9925127-2-4
6 x 9 inches | 246 Pages