My Parents Are Dead: What Now?
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deadparentswhatnow.com
My Parents Are Dead: What Now?
@deadparentswhatnow.com
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Demystifying the bureaucracy of death & dying with a sense of humor. Find your niche in The Columbarium newsletter. Listen to the Bitching & Mourning podcast. BUY THE BOOK NOW!💀

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My Parents Are Dead: What Now? @deadparentswhatnow.com · Jan 6
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!! “My Parents Are Dead: What Now? A Panic-Free Guide to the Practicalities of Death” is officially out in the world. Grab it wherever books are sold!

#books #deathpositive #outnow #estateplanning
deadparentswhatnow.com
Lately I've been helping out with tours of Loretto Woods Natural Cemetery—the only full conservation cemetery in the commonwealth! Won't you join us on October 15 or November 14? RSVP: www.lorettocommunity.org/loretto-wood...

#naturalburial #greenburial #kentucky #cemetery #deathpositive
On a black background is an image of a wooden sign that reads: Loretto Woods Natural Cemetery. The sign is in front of lush green trees with several yellow rudbeckia flowers blooming beneath it. There are also four drawings of rudbeckias in each corner of the black background. Above and below the image, white text reads: TOUR KENTUCKY’S ONLY CONSERVATION CEMETERY. October 15 & November 14. https://www.lorettocommunity.org/loretto-woods-cemetery/loretto-woods-natural-cemetery-tours/
October 6, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Too afraid of your own mortality to make a will? Shake it off. Sign up for tomorrow's newsletter to learn why most Americans *aren't* making wills: deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter

#deathpositive #willsandtrusts #estateplanning #mortality #endoflifeplanning #newsletter #taylorswift
Old-fashioned black and green text on a light gray, papery background reads: "According to the most recent statistics, only 24% of Americans have a will. 53% of Americans identify as Taylor Swift fans. If only I could convince her to write a song about estate planning…" The Columbarium. deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter
October 5, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Living in South Carolina? Here are the legal methods of disposition in your state as of October 2026.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #funeral #burial #cremation #aquamation #humancomposting #greenburial #southcarolina
An illustration of a ribcage is just visible above a black background. On top of that, green and white text reads: What can you do with a dead body in South Carolina? Traditional burial (check); Green burial (check); Fire cremation (check); Water cremation (check); Human composting (X); deadparentswhatnow.com
October 3, 2026 at 6:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Build a Better Sympathy Card at the Chicago End-of-Life Expo went great. Here are just a few—far superior to anything you might find in the greeting card aisle at your local drugstore!

#deathpositive #grief
October 2, 2026 at 6:27 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
See, Gen X? Someone remembered you exist! And you remembered that one day you WON'T exist!

#deathpositive #genx #survey #endoflifeplanning #estateplanning #endoflife
Atop a lime green background with a black, squiggly grid, pink and blue text with black highlight reads: According to a recent survey, the generation most comfortable discussing their own deaths is Gen-X. The words "Gen-X" are atop a very 80s-inspired green, blue, and pink triangle. At the bottom is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now, featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime-green heptagon, and next to that is a source link in blue text with black highlight: https://choicemutual.com/original-research/funeral-preferences-2026/
October 1, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Tales from the Crypt! But IRL! Talk about your dead loved ones! Ask other people about their dead loved ones! It’s important to keep those memories alive!

#deathpositive #grief
September 30, 2026 at 6:01 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
HEY THE CHICAGO END-OF-LIFE EXPO WAS REALLY FUN! 10/10 LET’S DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

(Amazing 📸 by Greg Inda)
September 29, 2026 at 4:17 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
In tomorrow's edition of The Columbarium: the story of the Rainbow Bridge and how our dead pets got there. 🌈

Sign up: deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter

#newsletter #rainbowbridge #petdeath #petloss #grief #deathpositive #petgrief
Old-fashioned white and green text on a dark gray background reads: "Rainbows are associated with luck and Leprechauns. How did they come to be associated with pet death?" The Columbarium. deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter
September 28, 2026 at 6:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Living in Rhode Island? Here are the legal methods of disposition in your state as of September 2026.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #funeral #burial #cremation #aquamation #humancomposting #greenburial #rhodeisland
An illustration of a ribcage is just visible above a black background. On top of that, green and white text reads: What can you do with a dead body in Rhode Island? Traditional burial (check); Green burial (check); Fire cremation (check); Water cremation (X); Human composting (X); deadparentswhatnow.com
September 26, 2026 at 6:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
This weekend, I'll be visiting my hometown for the Chicago End-of-Life Expo at Sleeping Village, which is SOLD OUT?! Keep an eye on the SV website in case more (free) tickets drop. Already registered? I'll see you there!

#chicago #endoflife #deathpositive #expo
In the center of a white background with light blue corners is the two light blue stripes of the Chicago flag—but instead of four red stars in the middle, there are four red skulls. Above and below the flag, red text reads: Chicago End-Of-Life Expo. Vendors! Comedy! Activities! Education! September 26 | Sleeping Village | 12-4pm
September 25, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
So, you saw that episode of The Pitt, and now you're curious about death doulas. One week from today I'll be giving a presentation for Gilda's Club Kentuckiana about what death doulas do and don't do. (Say that five times fast.) Register here: www2.gck.org/Events/Calen...

#deathdoula #gildasclub
At the top of a white background with black, retro corners is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon. At the bottom is the logo for Gilda's Club Kentuckiana, featuring a black, red, and white cartoon of Gilda Radner laughing. In the center, retro black text reads: Ask a Death Doula! October 1 | 6-7pm ET | 2440 Grinstead Dr.
September 24, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
You know what wasn't fun? Calling a bunch of funeral homes while my dad was dying because they didn't put their prices online like any other normal 21st century business.

#deathpositive #funeral #statistics #funeralpoverty #funeralhome
On a dark gray background with white squiggly lines in each corner, white text reads: According to the National Funeral Directors Association 82.4% of consumers are more likely to choose a funeral home that posts its General Price List online. Source: https://natlawreview.com/press-releases/nfda-study-finds-families-seek-more-personalized-transparent-end-life. At the top is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon. On a dark gray background with white squiggly lines in each corner, white text reads: According to the Federal Trade Commission 60% of funeral home websites provide little to no pricing information. Source: https://www.obitley.com/stories/ftc-online-price-transparency-funeral-homes. At the top is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon.
September 23, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
A reminder I always need and maybe you do, too: you can’t live every day like it’s your last if you’re exhausted. Get some rest.

#deathpositive #carpediem #restup
September 22, 2026 at 5:42 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
In tomorrow's edition of The Columbarium: Jessica Mitford! The iconic muckraker who exposed corruption in the American funeral industry. Sign up: deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter

#deathpositive #newsletter #jessicamitford #muckraker #journalism #funeral #history #corruption #mitfordsisters
Old-fashioned black text on a lime green, papery background reads: "Jessica Mitford died of lung cancer in 1996. Determined to have an inexpensive funeral, she had her body cremated and her ashes scattered at sea for a total of $533.31 (or not quite $1,000 adjusted for inflation)." The Columbarium. deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter
September 21, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Living in Pennsylvania? Here are the legal methods of disposition in your state as of September 2026.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #funeral #burial #cremation #aquamation #humancomposting #greenburial #pennsylvania
An illustration of a ribcage is just visible above a black background. On top of that, green and white text reads: What can you do with a dead body in Pennsylvania? Traditional burial (check); Green burial (check); Fire cremation (check); Water cremation (X); Human composting (X); deadparentswhatnow.com
September 20, 2026 at 6:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Grief is weird. Get into it.

#grief #deathpositive #weird
At the top of a swirly, black-and-lime-green checkerboard background is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon. In the center, trippy white text reads: What's the WEIRDEST way you grieve? At the bottom, white text on a black background reads: Don't worry. I was talking to my parents while I dusted their urns last weekend. I won't judge you.
September 18, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by My Parents Are Dead: What Now?
nicolashenin.net
Nice campaign by the Norwegian Consumer Council about the declining lifespan of products. Enjoy!
September 17, 2026 at 7:34 AM
deadparentswhatnow.com
💀 Last year, Leah Raidt and I hosted our first death meditation and living funeral ritual. This year, we're doing it again—on the Day of the Dead! Join us at MaybeItsFate for a two-hour Memento Mori workshop. Details here: www.deadparentswhatnow.com/events/memen...

#workshop #deathpositive
On a black marble background, white text reads: kinda chic to confront mortality. Memento Mori Death Workshop. November 1, 2026 at MaybeItsFate with @Lraidt and @deadparentswhatnow
September 17, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Here’s the thing: human beings have been dying on this planet for hundreds of thousands of years, and other human beings have been burying them for just as long. Basically everywhere you walk is a graveyard on some level. #deathpositive
September 16, 2026 at 5:48 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
That thing where you pitch a death advice column called "Dear Reaper" and they actually take you up on the offer. Join me for a FREE HellFireside Chat on September 24, and consider subscribing to GraveSite so they can keep paying me to do this. gravesite.media/products/dea...
#deathpositive #advice
On a brownish-gray background covered in pale green swirls, a black-and-white photo of a smiling woman next to a cartoon reaper sits beside text that reads: HellFireside Chat. Sept. 24, 2 p.m. ET. Introducing...Dear Reaper with Becky Robison. Dead-on advice on death's practicalities, delivered by the author of the definitive guide. A new monthly column excavating real member questions. GraveSite.
September 15, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
The Columbarium is back TOMORROW with the origins of Davy Jones' locker. Ahoy, maties. Sign up for the newsletter here: deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter

#newsletter #deathpositive #etymology #davyjoneslocker #pirates #deathhistory #burialatsea
Old-fashioned black and green text on a papery white background reads: "Just make sure that when you finally ditch your 9-5 gig in order to become a pirate, you avoid walking the plank." The Columbarium. deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter
September 14, 2026 at 6:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Living in Oregon? Here are the legal methods of disposition in your state as of September 2026.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #funeral #burial #cremation #aquamation #humancomposting #greenburial #oregon
An illustration of a ribcage is just visible above a black background. On top of that, green and white text reads: What can you do with a dead body in Oregon? Traditional burial (check); Green burial (check); Fire cremation (check); Water cremation (check); Human composting (check); deadparentswhatnow.com
September 12, 2026 at 6:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
I love wandering through cemeteries—but more importantly, so does Mariana Enriquez. And as both a taphophile and a writer, she is far better equipped to share her cemetery journeys. I loved her collection SOMEBODY IS WALKING ON YOUR GRAVE. bookshop.org/a/116176/978... #deathpositive #books
On a dark gray speckled background, white and lime green text reads: "Every country is one big graveyard, and in almost all of them, sooner or later and one way or another, everything goes bad. At different times, with twists and turns. But we are here to die and (if we’re lucky!) to be buried by the living. To have a grave." - Mariana Enriquez, "Somebody is Walking on Your Grave."
September 11, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
The stuff that comes before death is nearly as confusing as the stuff that comes after death. Join us at Mashup Food Hall ONE WEEK FROM TODAY to share your experiences with end-of-life care so we can all learn together.

#louisville #deathpositive #deathcafe #hospice #endoflifecare #palliativecare
An old-fashioned library borrowing card sits on a black background. On top of the image, white and lime green typewriter text reads: Forget the funeral. How does hospice work? Not quite dead. There’s a lot of misinformation out there regarding end-of-life care. What’s the difference between hospice and palliative care? What costs will Medicare and Medicaid cover, if any? Join us to share your experiences and set the end-of-life record straight. Due Date: A Library Death Salon. Mashup Food Hall. September 17, 2026 at 7pm. At the bottom is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon.
September 10, 2026 at 3:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Many people think that whoever they name in their will gets to inherit all their money. That's not necessarily true! (a potentially alarming thread 👇 )

#estateplanning #deathpositive #moneymanagement #BeneficiaryDesignations #retirement #insurance #endoflifeplanning #themoreyouknow
On a background like lime green paper that was once crumpled but later unfolded, bold black text reads: When's the last time you updated your beneficiaries? This text is surrounded by three balls of crumpled white paper, one that reads IRA, another that reads 401K, and a third that reads Insurance. A black arrow indicates to swipe right. At the top is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon.
September 9, 2026 at 3:55 PM