FEBRUARY 18, 2026 (ASH WEDNESDAY)
Dear friends,
For Christians, the Season of Lent offers a certain wisdom—that death is understood not merely as an event that occurs at the end of life, but also as an ever-present character in the story of our lives. Death is a mystery to be contemplated while we live, and always by the light of resurrection hope. This important “life planning” work is holy work to which we are all called. There are three ways I want to invite you into this year:
- Planning your funeral
- Reviewing and updating (or creating) your will and estate plan
- End-of-life decisions (advance directives)
The order of these three is intended to be in reverse chronology. First, funeral planning. For several years now, I’ve made an annual appeal at the beginning of Lent for each adult at Saint Mark’s, regardless of your age, to undertake the work of planning your own funeral. Many of you have done so already: bless you… and this year take time this Lent to dust off your plan, review and update it if needed. If you’ve not yet taken this work on, I encourage you to include this work this year in your observance of a holy Lent. It is sacred work. Please reach out if you need guidance—Canon Rich, Canon Emily, our Curate Adam and I are glad to engage with you in this process or address any questions you may have.
- Planning Your Funeral Guide (docx format)
- Planning Your Funeral Guide (pdf format)
- Funeral Planning Form (docx format)
- Funeral Planning Form (pdf format)
- Burial Rite: Suggested Readings from Scripture (pdf format) (You are not restricted to these readings, but they are especially appropriate.)
These documents are also available at saintmarks.org/funeral. Ideally, you would complete this planning form (or as much as you’d like to complete) and provide a copy to the Dean’s office, where it will be kept on file, and held in confidence, until the time it is needed (hopefully a long time from now!) Of course, you can retrieve it, amend it, or replace it at any time (and many of us do).
Secondly, I want to once again broaden this invitation to include preparation (or review) of your will. Only one-third of Americans have a will when they die, making it especially difficult for their loved ones trying to work through probate. It is never too soon to give thought to that part of end-of-life planning, including provision for heirs and designating legacy gifts for charitable agencies to which you are committed. Again, Lent is a particularly poignant time to undertake this work, or to conduct an annual review of your estate documents.
We have also updated the Saint Mark’s Planned Giving brochure this year. It is intended to serve as a guide for you to consider how to leave a legacy gift to Saint Mark’s. Doing so, and letting Erik Donner or me know that you have, admits you to the Cathedral Legacy Society, which has nearly 300 members and counting. Your gifts and bequests will ensure this cathedral will continue to serve faithfully for generations to come.
Third, give consideration during this Lent to ponder what you want in health care decisions at you approach the end of life. As a hospice and palliative care physician, I could share story after story about how this advance work of decision-making is a sacred gift to your loved ones (and stories of tragic heartache when such direction was not provided). You may have an Advance Directive already—review it and see if it still works for you. If not, I commend to you Five Wishes as a way to consider such things. The cathedral clergy have copies of this booklet as well. And then let your loved ones (and/or your doctor) know where it is.
All of this is holy work, my friends, wherever you are on the spiritual journey of life, wherever you are in the course of life. Again, your clergy are available to support you in this. I hope you will embrace this good work as part of your Lenten observance.
Blessings and peace,
The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector
