Last Writes: A Blog About Death and Grief

When someone dies, no one tells you what happens to the pets. This guide covers the first 48 hours, the legal side, how to find the right home, and what to do when no one can take the animal.

Six myths about body donation, debunked by a program coordinator and licensed funeral director who has seen this work from every angle.

Settling an estate takes 570 hours. Most executors try to do it alone until something goes wrong. Here is how to know when to call help in.

Nobody warned you that settling an estate is also a travel job. Here's how to do it without losing your mind or your savings.

When someone dies, you become legally responsible for their assets before you have the authority to act on them.

Being named executor can feel like a big job — and it is. This guide breaks down what executors actually do, how probate works, what expenses they handle, and how to manage the role without...

Executors are legally entitled to compensation in nearly every state. Here's what you can claim, how fees are calculated, and what most people don't know about getting paid for the hardest job you...

Every drawer is a decision. Every closet is a memory. A practical guide to sorting, selling, donating, and surviving the emotional weight of emptying a parent's home.

Someone you love just died. And now you've inherited 570 hours of admin across 12+ institutions that don't talk to each other. Here's what to do first, what can wait, and how to survive it.

When someone dies in Texas, families face an overwhelming wave of financial and administrative tasks, from filing for probate to closing accounts across 12+ institutions. Good Grief walks you...

When someone dies, their identity becomes a target. Scammers mine obituaries, open credit cards, and file tax returns in the deceased's name. Here's what to lock down — and when.

The digital afterlife industry is valued at $125 billion. Millions of people are talking to AI recreations of the dead. This is happening whether we're ready or not — here's what you need to know.

After the logistics comes the longing. Here are the most beautiful and meaningful ways to honor someone, from turning ashes into diamonds to letting future generations hear their voice.

Everyone talks about the funeral. Nobody talks about the locksmith, the notary, or what to do with three cats and a parrot. Here's the unsexy survival guide for the hardest month of your life.

The average American home has over 300,000 items. When someone passes, every single one needs a decision. Here's how to break the cleanout into stages so it doesn't break you.

Most people have never heard the word "probate" until they're in the middle of it. Here are the best tools to help executors navigate the legal maze, and know when to call a lawyer.

The average person has over 100 online accounts. When someone dies, finding them all is a detective mission. Here are the best tools, and which ones you can use right now, before it's too late.

Not all end-of-life planning tools are built for the same person. We break down the best options — from free to $499 — so you can pick the right one for where you are right now.

The first month after a death in Texas is confusing and overwhelming. This guide walks you through what actually matters in the first 30 days—so you can avoid costly mistakes and buy time.