Sharing Sources: Lantern

Immediately after the loss of her paternal grandmother in 2018, Liz Eddy started to research the resources available to guide her through all the decisions she faced after her death. Her father had died when she was young, and Liz was responsible for her grandmother’s funeral planning and post-death logistics. Her research turned up outdated blogs and ads for funeral homes, but not a lot of helpful information. This spawned the idea of creating a tool to walk people through end-of-life planning. 

Lantern was designed as both a pre-planning and caretaking tool. When users log on to the site, they are given the choice of “I’m Managing a Death” or “I’m Planning Ahead.” A short five-part questionnaire touches on one’s reasons for visiting Lantern, as well as the emotions surrounding being on the site. The program next walks users through establishing a customizable, digital plan for their own or a loved one’s end-of-life process.

Lantern’s “I’m Managing a Death” tool is designed around an end-of-life date that is established by the user. The short intake survey customizes a list of guided tasks for the caretaker and dying person based on the expected lifespan. 

For those who choose to utilize the “I’m Planning Ahead” tool, there is a three-step process focused on getting organized, final wishes, and leaving a legacy. Getting organized focuses on logistics such as paperwork, wills, financials, and subscription accounts. Final wishes look at health care options, ceremonies, memorials, and even one’s digital footprint. Lastly, legacy helps the user create a bucket list, design a memoir, and offer instructions for reflections, as well as establish some conversation-starters with loved ones.

Lantern offers both free and paid components. Liz and her partners decided to set up Lantern as a public benefit corporation in order to provide free and low-cost support to grieving people. Purchasing a plan ($149 for lifetime access) helps to ensure that the site’s funeral planning services are always free for everyone who needs them.

The site also has a deep well of resources around topics such as How to Close Online Accounts to How to Grieve in the Workplace. They have also partnered with organizations to bring Lantern to the workplace, offering grief training and the possibility of offering Lantern as an employee benefit option. For those who are also searching for bereavement gifts, a link on the site brings users to partner companies that range from vendors for plants, books, and handmade items to nonprofits working with grieving BIPOC and children’s communities.