Among other things, there was the immediate need to select burial space. This task required a trip to the cemetery to pick a burial place for her husband. The sad news had to be broken to friends and relatives. The bank, the insurance company, Allen's lodge, and his employers all had to be notified. It could happen to you Jane's experience was not unusual.
Many wives outlive their husbands.
In a shocking percentage oi cases the widow's first inheritance is the immediate and inescapable responsibility of arranging for burial space on the day when she is least able to make sound decisions. It is possible that a widow might have to face death-related crises without money, regardless of the family's financial status. Death automatically ties up bank accounts. Until the will is read and probated, no property can change hands or be converted into cash. This often compels the widow to approach relatives and friends for loans, which adds to the already overwhelming emotional strain.