We Bought Our Gravestone

About this episode

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau shares her personal journey of choosing a final resting place and designing a gravestone, exploring the values and intentionality behind end-of-life decisions.

The concept of memento mori —remembering that we are mortal—is often viewed as morbid or macabre. But for those who embrace it, acknowledging the brevity of life isn’t about dwelling on the end; it’s about celebrating every single moment we have. In this episode, I share a very personal journey that has been years in the making: the process of choosing a final resting place and designing a gravestone for my mother, my husband David, and myself. From the historic hills of Oakland’s Mountain View Cemetery to the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevadas, this story is about more than just logistics—it’s about values, intentionality, and the peace that comes with being prepared. Whether it’s establishing a plan for companion animals or choosing local, sustainable materials for a memorial, we explore how end-of-life decisions are ultimately for the living. It is a gift of clarity for those we leave behind and a final opportunity to express the passions—from wildlife gardening to music—that define our “one wild and precious life.” In this episode you will learn: * How acknowledging our “expiry date” can lead to a more joyful, grateful, and purposeful daily life. * Why having wills, trusts…

People in this episode

Host: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

Topics covered

• memento mori
• end-of-life decisions
• grief
• sustainability
• personal journey

Keywords

• memento mori
• grief
• sustainability
• end-of-life
• memorial
• cremation
• burial

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Oakland, Sierra Nevadas, Mountain View Cemetery

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