In the Checklist of Life: A "Working Book" to Help You Live and Leave This Life!
"Death is certain. Life is not." So begins this  commonsensical, infinitely useful workbook that's aimed at helping  your survivors handle the requisite legal and household affairs after  your death. Author Lynn McPhelimy was inspired to write the book when  her parents were both diagnosed with terminal cancer and her father  said to her, "'You know when I'm gone, I don't want the yard all dug  up when you're looking for the septic tank. So here is this little  map.'" It's a book that's not meant just for the elderly or the  seriously ill, but for anyone who wants a handy reference with all the  necessary "facts of life" in one spot. This way, your family won't be  left grievingandscrambling around trying to find your Social  Security number, or the name of your insurance company, your lawyer,  your second cousin who's supposed to be left your antique lead crystal  vase ... you get the picture.The book includes the nitty-gritty:  writing a will, what music you want played at your funeral or memorial  service (that is,ifyou want one), what should be included in  your obituary or epitaph, and a hundred other things you've  pondered--but never bothered to deal with. Granted, this is scary  terrain, but it'll make things a lot less traumatic for your survivors  if they feel organized and know things like where you hide the key to  your safe deposit box and which bank it's with. It also covers the  intricacies of your house, with space for recording the facts you take  for granted: where's the damn fuse box? Do you have anything hidden in  the attic, under floorboards, or somewhere else? Which sentimental  items do you want left with whom or donated to which charity? What are  the stories behind those objects that make them sentimental, anyway?  And who's that person in the back row of the old family photo that's  hidden at the bottom of a shoebox that was stashed in the back of the  hallway closet??In addition to its practicality, this workbook is  also meant to be a keepsake, with space for writing down memories of  important life events and things you've always meant to accomplish,  the things you've always meant to tell people. In this way,The  Checklist of Lifealso functions as a psychological kick in the  pants, inspiring you to actually get out and do those things you've  promised yourself you'd get around to, "one of these years."--Erica Jorgensen