Que sera sera, whatever 'will' be, 'will' be

It’s important to ensure the right amount of wealth goes into the right pair of hands.

Heaven’s just a sin away for those averse to wearing masks or failing to maintain social distancing during the pandemic. Flirting with death was never this easy in ‘loving memory’ as millions knock on heaven’s door that’s being flung wide open by the coronavirus. Death the leveller for the rich; death the deliverer for poor. Death the stranger for the living and the dead.

In both cases, the Grim Reaper is eager to mop up souls who may have lost their way. And if the hapless victim happens to be from the rich-list, there is a flurry of global attention — about their wealth, and who gets what when they are gone after giving up the ghost.

But expect some pandemonium here on Earth if the dearly departed spares nothing for the usual suspects in the family or bequeaths his (or her) vast earnings to someone from outside the inner circle. What if they decide to hand it over to some charity, a dog shelter, or some long-lost lover? Sounds like a perfect setting for an Agatha Christie-like mystery.

The shame, the scandal, the wagging tongues. But if you think wills are from the deadly precincts of celebrities and jet-setters who have now been mostly grounded, think again. Planning for your passing is important for the middle class too, financial advisors will tell you: it’s important to ensure the right amount of wealth goes into the right pair of hands.

I can’t wax lyrical enough about this serious business because I know little of its absurdities. But people tell me that the art of crafting wills without making life on Earth hell for your loved ones when you give up the fight is a delicate subject, even taboo to discuss openly in some families.

Perhaps you have planned a surprise that may shock your loved ones out of their wits. You want to write it down and keep it secure under a pillow. Better still, practise before a mirror before you summon those you love (or pretend to love). Read it out to them before you kick the bucket. It’s better that way before you’re buried or burnt. Either way, they’ll hate you for it.

The passing must be planned, deliberated and discussed to soften the blow when the call comes, experts tell us, but I am not inclined to listen, yet.

For the human body, it’s ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Others go with the flow and are thrown into holy rivers. A pall of gloom will hang over the family that grieves and weeps. For the departed soul, there are spiritual riches in heaven — like an eternal flame waiting in the portals of glory.

allan@khaleejtimes.com