Want to be in my dead parents book?

Written By Becky Robison

My writing residency at Loretto was wonderful. I rewrote a chapter, started a new chapter, wrote an epilogue, expanded several sections—AND, most importantly, I finally whipped up a quick survey so I could include your experiences in my book!

I’m just one person. I’ve been through a lot in the past few years, and I’ve taught myself even more—but I know that my experience with parental death can’t fully encompass what everyone else will experience. That’s why I’d like to expand my frame of reference by sharing your stories throughout the manuscript.

Please fill out the form and share it with, uh, literally everyone you know? I’d really appreciate it. Good experiences, bad experiences, unusual experiences, mundane experiences—all are welcome. Below are some stories I’d especially like to hear, but every experience is unique and important, so please feel free to tell me regardless:

  • Success (or failure) in having a conversation with your parents about their end-of-life wishes

  • Your parents’ time in hospice

  • Your parents’ experience with Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), assuming they lived in a state that allows it

  • The sudden, unexpected death of a parent

  • Choosing whether or not to have your parents embalmed

  • Viewing your parents’ cremation

  • Donating your parents’ bodies to science

  • Obtaining an autopsy for your parents

  • Using death cleanup services after your parents’ deaths

  • Choosing green/natural burial, aquamation, or natural organic reduction (human composting) as a method of disposition for your parents

  • Transporting your parents’ bodies over long distances prior to disposition

  • Working with a place of worship to plan and host a religious memorial service for your parents

  • Working with a traditional funeral home to plan and host a memorial service for your parents

  • Planning and hosting a home funeral for your parents

  • Your favorite funeral reception recipes

  • Tips for how to survive your parents’ funerals/memorials

  • Locating/reading/understanding your parents’ will or trust

  • Working with an estate attorney

  • Going through the probate process for your parents’ estate

  • Dealing with family conflict in the wake of parental death

  • Inheriting a business

  • Inheriting cryptocurrency

  • Inheriting a timeshare

  • Inheriting a farm/livestock

  • Coping with grief/ostensible lack of grief

Thank you! You’re the best!

Becky Robison
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