Planning for the end, to live life fully

Shūkatsu is a proactive approach to end-of-life planning that begins not with documents or decisions, but with reflection on how you want to live.

Grounded in the Japanese concept of ikigai, this work invites you to consider your values, relationships, and priorities—so that planning for the end becomes a way of living with greater intention in the present.

Rather than avoiding conversations about death, shūkatsu creates space for honest, human reflection. It helps you clarify what matters, communicate your wishes, and make choices that feel aligned with the life you want to live now and leave behind.

This is planning not driven by fear or urgency, but by care, meaning, and responsibility—to yourself and to those you love.

Meet Jeff Singal

Jeff Singal is an ikigai coach specializing in shūkatsu, Japan’s thoughtful approach to end-of-life planning that begins with how one chooses to live.

Having lived in Japan for more than 25 years, Jeff brings deep cultural understanding to his work, bridging Japanese perspectives on life, values, and responsibility with practical guidance for individuals and families. His approach invites reflection on what matters most, helping people clarify priorities, make intentional choices, and engage with end-of-life planning in a way that feels human rather than clinical.

Jeff is the father of two daughters, a role that shapes his sensitivity to legacy, intergenerational responsibility, and the everyday decisions that give life meaning. Through his coaching, he creates space for honest conversations about life, death, and how we want to live the time we have with care and purpose.