Ulrike von der Groeben's Ponderings on Her Funeral Ceremony
- ˈ chemicals next-door
Contemplating Funeral Arrangements: A Personal Pondering - Concerned about Her Final Farewell: Woman Expresses Anxiety Regarding Her Funeral Arrangements.
In an open chat with Spot On News about one's mortality, Ulrike von der Groeben (68), famed ex-sports journalist on "RTL aktuell", discusses her ideas on death for her upcoming book "Freiheit beginnt jetzt!" (to be released on 7.5. by ZS Verlag). The interview covers her active lifestyle, Long Covid recovery, marital adjustments, and her rather unique preferences for her own funeral.
How have your days been filled post-retirement, particularly around sports and activities?
Ulrike von der Groeben: I've elected to maintain my running routine three days a week, and beef up strength training with two sessions per week, predominantly using dumbbells at home. As one ages, pilates alone might not cut it—a dollop of strength training is essential for staying active. Essentially, sport is the key to my joy, health, and well-being. And if wrinkles start to rise, I want my body to be its prime counterpart!
How has Long Covid impacted your daily life, and do you still experience lingering symptoms?
Ulrike von der Groeben: Thankfully, I remain hopeful that my lingering symptoms will eventually disappear completely. Things have steadily improved, particularly with my running ability, which was quite challenging at first. I could barely manage a slow jog, let alone an intense workout. However, when put in perspective, it's a small hurdle compared to others who are more heavily affected by Long Covid. At present, I feel remarkably well, almost back to pre-illness condition.
Has your relationship with your husband, Alexander von der Groeben, changed since your retirement?
Ulrike von der Groeben: In essence, not much has altered between us. My husband continues to work as a commentator and in theater, and his gym visits remain unaltered. Our routine consists of late-morning breakfasts after workouts, just like before. The only difference now is dinner time, which we eat a bit earlier. Occasionally, I have the time and energy to focus on cooking and experiment with new recipes.
Your upcoming book reveals your preference for cremation, but you don't have a patient directive or will in place. Is this something you plan to deal with now?
Ulrike von der Groeben: I'm not shy of the topic nor reluctant to address it. I struggle with procrastination and often put off important tasks, including making a patient directive and will. I suppose I need to make a conscious effort to tackle it soon.
How frequently do you reflect on the topic of death, and has this awareness increased due to recent personal losses and early deaths in your family?
Ulrike von der Groeben: With the passage of time, the specter of death has become a more prevalent theme—unfortunately, sometimes due to the premature passing of acquaintances and younger individuals. My parents departed at an early age: my mother at 60, and my father in his mid-70s. It seems our family doesn't frequently live to extreme old age, as I've never met my grandparents, for instance. However, we lead healthy lives, prioritizing fitness, and conscious dietary choices—although we aren't overly dogmatic about it.
Despite the inevitable nature of death, I believe it's crucial to have all practical matters settled in advance—a simple wish for cremation isn't enough, one must also specify their wishes for the ashes. Even the soundtrack for my own funeral has crossed my mind. I'd like to ease the burden on my children by expressing my preferences.
Looking back on your new book, what words of wisdom do you have to share about transitioning into retirement?
Ulrike von der Groeben: As one approaches retirement, I encourage individuals to seriously reflect on their true values and aspirations, both now and in the future. What makes for a fulfilling life, and what aspirations does your partner hold? How do you envision your retirement and the financial resources needed to support it? The sooner one clarifies these questions, the better. A thoughtful preparation will help ensure that retirement is the dream phase you've always imagined.
Post-book project, are there any personal desires you wish to pursue?
Ulrike von der Groeben: In essence, not really. Writing the book has prompted many introspective questions for me and my husband—realizing that we have no unfulfilled fantasies. My husband has long harbored the dream of living on a houseboat someday. Although we won't commit to a permanent houseboat lifestyle, we plan to rent one for a few weeks, possibly in Holland. After all, one never knows what we might discover on the water!
- Ulrike von der Groeben, not certain she's right about her funeral preferences, reveals she's yet to create a patient directive or will, but she understands the importance of settling all practical matters in advance.
- In her new book, Ulrike von der Groeben shares insights on mental health, advocating for individuals to reflect on their values, aspirations, and financial resources when transitioning into retirement to ensure a fulfilling life.
- Ulrike von der Groeben, despite the specter of death looming due to personal losses and early family departures, prioritizes fitness and conscious dietary choices for her and her husband's health-and-wellness, valuing a proactive approach to mental and physical health.
- Ulrike von der Groeben, after her book's release, plans to experiment with new experiences, such as renting a houseboat in Holland, to discover unexpected desires with her husband, hoping to keep their relationship lively during retirement.
- Considering her contemporaries' retirements and their experiences, Ulrike von der Groeben asserts that it's essential for individuals to maintain sports and activities, such as running, strength training, and pilates, to achieve a fulfilling life and optimal mental and physical health throughout retirement.
