THE DEATH DISPATCH
Issue of July 19, 2026
Hi there,
This week the Dispatch is about the paperwork and the people around dying. What your state does with your things if you never write a will. What a death doula actually does. Why your crypto and your digital life do not automatically pass to anyone. And what it really takes to die at home.
No euphemisms. Just the useful version.
Yours,
Stephanie
THIS WEEK ON MORTL
LAW & POLICY
What Happens If You Die Without a Will
Die without a will and your state writes one for you through intestate succession. The result is rarely what you would have chosen.
END-OF-LIFE CARE
Death Doulas Are Having a Moment. Here's What They Actually Do.
End-of-life doulas provide non-medical support for the dying and their families. Here is what the role really involves, and what it does not.
DIGITAL LEGACY
Your Crypto Dies With You
Die with self-custodied crypto and no key handoff plan, and the coins are gone forever. A short guide to not losing them.
DIGITAL LEGACY
The Dead Are Texting Back: Inside the Grief Bot Industry
Companies now build AI chatbots and avatars of dead people from their texts, voice, and video. The results are strange, and largely unregulated.
END-OF-LIFE CARE
Everyone Wants to Die at Home. Almost Nobody Plans for It.
Most Americans say they want to die at home. Making it happen takes hospice, caregivers, and equipment most families never line up in time.
SPONSORED
This slot is open for a sponsor.
The Death Dispatch reaches readers who are actively making end-of-life decisions. This space is available for a direct sponsor. Want it? Just reply to this email.
You're going to die. Let's talk about it.
MORTL, Denver, CO. You are getting this because you signed up at mortl.com.