Well, my MIL passed away on Monday. Though very sudden, we knew it was coming, but even then you never are really prepared, eh? (She was diagnosed with lung cancer the end of July, though never smoked a day in her life.) My husband is the oldest of the children, so naturally, all the final arrangements fell to him. It's been a nightmare week to say the least. MIL lived in CA the last 5 years of her life, we are all in VA. Trying to do everything by phone because we used up all our time traveling out there last month to set up home hospice etc. Of course, she didn't want to discuss any wishes that she had for burial, and didn't even have a will though we begged her to have one drawn up. I used to work in Elder Law, so I know how important that piece of paper is, and even with all my begging, couldn't get her to plan ahead. All I can say is, if you want people to have nice thoughts about you at the end, don't leave them a dreadful mess to clean up. PLEASE respect your family enough to have a simple will drawn up, even if you leave it all to the cat! Just do it. (Ha, Nike would be proud!) These days, you can even make one online and take it to the bank to be notarized! Husband is the most even-tempered gentle personality and I can't say I have ever seen him frazzled, until this week. He said he's ready to move and not give anyone the forwarding address - that he's had it! Exhausted in VA. -Sarah