Do you have an elderly, sick or dying parent?

My mother died 4 years ago, my father died last week. Neither made many plans, and that made it difficult for us, their children. Please talk to your parents and talk about these things.

1. Do you have a will? Is it recent? If they've remarried or the children are no longer minors, it needs to be looked at again.

2. Where is the will?

3. Where are the life insurance documents? Make sure you know what policies you will need to follow up on.

4. Make a list of all bank, reirement and investment accounts. Include the account number, where the account is, who to contact and a phone number.

5. Have you thought about your funeral? Where do you want to be buried? Have any arrangements already been made? [I had to drive 100 miles to and from another city to buy a plot for my mom the evening of the visitation. You don't want to be rushing around!]

6. How about a funeral ceremony? Who should we be sure to notify? Any special readings or hymns you'd like us to use?