After my mother passed, there was such upheavel that my sister and I made a pact. We filled out advance directives and started writing down what we wanted and who we wanted certain things to go to. I have down what I want to be burried in (a nightgown or jeans and a tshirt, the things I wear all the time). And NO shoes. I am always running around barefoot. I am also going to prewright my obit. You don't realize how hard this stuff is until you start doing it for someone you love. I will not put my DH or kids through what we went through. Gwyn, you are so thoughtful and wise to tell us all to do this. Even though it is not fun, we have had some good laughs over it, too. God Bless you and your family, Gwyn. May He make His Holy Light to shine upon you.

Honey this is what my in laws did. When my mother in law died a few years ago it was easy. We made one call and it was all done. She had written her own obit and was burried in her Judges Robes as she had planned. The only thing I had to do is call her hair dresser to have her hair done. The rest was a done deal.

Gwyn I am so sorry and offer my sincere condolences. I pray that God guides & nourishes you & your children through the coming days, weeks & months.

Gwyn my condolences to you and your family

HUG'S
mema

In addition to having Living Wills - and telling out kids where they are - and having copies of them in hospitals in CT and AZ - we joined the Neptune Society. The NS has existed for years for people who choose cremation. We have prepaid for this service. Our loved ones will only have to make one call. Our kids know where we want our ashes to be spread.

I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Hopefully this provides some comfort:

To Those I Love & Leave Behind

When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears.
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love.
You can only guess how much
you gave me in happiness.
But now it's time I traveled on alone.
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must,
then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It's only for a while that we must part.
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, and life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me,
I'll be near and if you listen with your heart,
you'll hear all of my love around you soft and clear.

And then when you must come the way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home".....



Hope this provides you and your family comfort in these extremely difficult times. Prayers to God that he helps you through and keeps you and your family in the palm of his hand.

Hugs-

Sheila

Gwyn, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Gwyn - I'm just reading about your tremendous loss. (((HUGS))) and prayers to you and your family.

Also regarding funerals and cremation - you can do both. My BIL's funeral was an open casket, with cremation later. SIL split the ashes and some were buried at a National cemetary and she was going to spread the rest somewhere meaningful to them both. I wish I had know when my dad died that you could split the ashes up like that.

Gwyn...I'm sooo sorry. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.