Small Biz Insider: Tech Startup Embraces Taboo Topic to Ease Afterlife Planning

The loss of a loved one is hard, to say the very least. Of course, there’s the emotional toll it takes on self and the people around you. But there’s also the afterlife care – the documents, estate planning – everything you need to get your loved one’s affairs in order. It can be a very challenging process for a grieving family to navigate.

That’s where Emily Cisek is hoping to help. She’s the co-founder and CEO of The Postage, a digital platform that helps collect information and digital assets in one place to ease with affair planning.

On this episode of the Small Biz Insider podcast, we talk with Cisek about navigating a challenging topic with investors and clients and advice for entrepreneurs in unique spaces and industries. Listen to the episode above to hear more.

On tackling a taboo topic

“I think death is something that over the last hundred years has really become this taboo thing just because of technology and we almost see it as a weakness,” said Cisek. “And so one of the things The Postage really wants to bring forward is being able to have this conversation.”

On how The Postage wants to streamline a traditionally taxing process

“People don’t realize that it takes 560 hours, on average – that’s three months of full-time work – to piece together information if you’re loved one doesn’t have it organized,” said Cisek. “So if you think about it, having to do a treasure hunt for your loved one’s passwords, their documents, even heirlooms and what they mean and who they should be passed down to – that leaves a lot of room for questions. And that is the last thing after you’ve lost someone that you want to be doing.”

On reflections of mortality

Cisek said part of the process for her clients, and for herself, is recognizing the reality of mortality. “Realizing that and recognizing that and embracing that has even helped me as an entrepreneur to realize we have to seize the day and help people really understand and get through that little awkwardness, so that they then can be more present in their lives and with their families and what they’re tackling on a day to day basis,” said Cisek.