How to Build a Legacy to Die For: Helping Prepare our Loved Ones for a Life Without Us with Dr. Kimberly Harms

"The greatest legacy is love." ~Dr. Kimberly Harms 

We all know the importance of life insurance to make certain our loved ones are financially secure after we pass on, but what can we do to ensure they are emotionally secure without us? 

Dr. Kimberly Harms has been around the block in life! 

She has served as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Public Health Service, a dental school professor, a grief counselor, a clinical dentist and practice owner with her late husband Jim in Farmington, MN, a death doula, a civil mediator, a school board Chair, President of an international women's organization, the first woman President of the Minnesota Dental Association, co-founder of the 65 Eric Harms Memorial Libraries through Books for Africa in Rwanda, an award-winning bestselling author and an international speaker. 

She has also suffered many personal losses, including the suicide deaths of her mother and son and the death from the broken heart of her husband, Jim. Her most important role now is as a mother to her two surviving children and grandmother to six precious grandchildren. 

In this episode, Jennifer Hurvitz speaks with Dr. Kimberly Harms, a grief counselor and author, about her journey from being a dentist to navigating profound personal losses, including the suicides of her mother and son. Dr. Harms shares her insights on managing grief, the importance of legacy planning, and how to prepare for death to prevent family conflicts. She emphasizes the need for emotional support and community in the grieving process. 

She offers practical advice on creating a legacy binder to ease the burden on loved ones after passing. The conversation is heartfelt and informative, providing listeners with valuable tools for coping with loss and fostering resilience. 

Thank you, Kimberly, for sharing your story of strength and vulnerability with us- and reminding us that forgiveness and reconciliation are vital in healing. Legacy planning is a gift of LOVE to your family. 

• Grief affects everyone around you, not just the individual.
• Fighting through grief is essential for healing.
• Creating a legacy binder can ease family burdens after death.
• Community support is crucial during times of loss.
• It's critical to prepare for death to avoid family conflicts.
• Emotional life insurance is as important as financial planning.
• Grief is a long process that requires time and effort.

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Kim Harms

01:13 Journey from Dentistry to Grief Counseling

04:48 The Impact of Personal Loss

07:40 Fighting Through Grief

10:41 Lessons from Rwanda

14:31 Preparing for Death and Legacy Planning

18:20 Navigating Family Dynamics After Loss

22:23 The Importance of Support and Community

26:21 Emotional Life Insurance and Legacy Binder

30:55 Conclusion and Call to Action

FIND DR. HARMS BOOK, Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For HERE 

Reach out to Dr. Kim for more information Also, check out her website to see all of her books and resources: https://www.drkimberlyharms.com/

Doing Relationships Right hits the pages of VOGUE MAGAZINE- check it out!