The New York Times recently ran a thought-provoking Op-Ed piece: Taking Responsibility for Death. The author argues that more people should take the time to have living wills and health care powers of attorney. These documents, which can be separate but are often combined, allow you to spell out what types of medical treatments you would like if you aren’t able to make decisions about your own medical care, and also allow you to name someone to make those decisions for you. As the author points out, having these documents can significantly lessen the burden on your loved ones, and avoid costly and unwanted medical procedures.