Ocean State Libraries

Lawyer and venture capitalist Scott Taylor Smith had plentiful resources, and yet after his mother died he made a series of agonizing and costly mistakes in squaring away her affairs. He could find countless books dealing with caregiving and loss, but very few that dealt with the logistics and practical tasks that follow. In the aftermath, Scott decided to write the book he wished he'd had, providing concrete guidance for making informed decisions...

"In the year she served as a chaplain in a hospital "death ward," Dana Trent accompanied more than 200 people -- and their families -- on their passage from life to death. Dessert First gathers those stories and lessons, as well as others from her journey with her dying mom, to illuminate the complexity of death and grief, and how we all might better prepare for a "good death." Dessert First is a deeply personal, touching, and sometimes humorous look...

With efficiency and a touch of humor, this valuable guidebook offers information on the difficult subject of planning for one's own death or organizing funerals for loved ones. Topics ranging from cremation, burial, caskets, services, and organ donation are explored, and each section offers data, definitions, examples, pros and cons, and helpful worksheets for narrowing down the best options. Numerous sidebars that offer engaging and occasionally...

Making sensible decisions during a time of grief is never easy. Losing a husband, wife, father, mother, child or another near and dear person forces you to make a multitude of decisions, some large and life-changing, some small but emotionally charged. And if substantial amounts of money or conflicting wishes of friends and relatives are involved, making arrangements can become overwhelming. More Than Sympathy is designed to help you through these...