My Parents Are Dead: What Now?
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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. 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
POWER (of attorney) HOURS ARE BACK! Get those pesky financial & medical POA forms off your to-do list. I'll bring the forms and my notary stamp. You bring your brains and your determination to make difficult but necessary decisions. It'll be fun.

#louisville #deathpositive #estateplanning
A green comic book bubble with orange words over it reads: POWER (of attorney) HOURS! Below, white text reads: February 2026. February 12, 2-4pm. February 14, 12:30-2:30pm. February 19, 2-4pm. February 21, 12:30-2:30pm. I'll bring the forms. $5-$10 suggested tip. MaybeItsFate. 1425 Story Ave. Louisville, KY. In the bottom left corner is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon.
February 10, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
In tomorrow's edition of The Columbarium: The Egyptian Book of the Dead! Yes, we will discuss "The Mummy" (1999) as well. Sign up: deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter

#newsletter #deathpositive #ancientegypt #themummy #egyptianbookofthedead
Old fashioned black text on a lime green background reads: Yeah, it was basically a spell to help them LIE TO THE GOD OF DEATH. The Columbarium. deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter
February 9, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by My Parents Are Dead: What Now?
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Me?!?! In @electricliterature.com?!?! Doing my @deadparentswhatnow.com thing?!?! 💀💗💀💗
electricliterature.com/7-books-that...
7 Books That Reveal How Capitalism Is Coming for Your Corpse - Electric Literature
These authors examine the absurd, expensive, and tragic reality of navigating the death industrial complex
electricliterature.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:15 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Living in Colorado? Here are the legal methods of disposition in your state as of February 2026.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #funeral #burial #cremation #aquamation #humancomposting #greenburial #colorado
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 Colorado? Traditional burial (check); Green burial (check); Fire cremation (check); Water cremation (check); Human composting (check); deadparentswhatnow.com
February 8, 2026 at 7:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
You can listen to Money Life and This Podcast is a Ritual wherever you get your podcasts. I’ll add links on my website and link tree. 🎧

#deathpositive #podcast
February 6, 2026 at 7:32 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
After Rob Reiner died at the end of last year, I thought dead celebrities might be an interesting topic for our next death salon. Let's mourn our favorite stars of stage and screen together. See you on February 19, Louisville!

#deathpositive #deathsalon #deathcafe #louisville #grief
An old-fashioned library borrowing card sits in the center of a black background. On top, white and green typewriter text reads: Celebrities: They're just like us! (Mortal.) Dead Celebrities. Celebrity deaths can affect us in the same way losing a close loved one can. Sometimes celebrity deaths are even harder! Together, let’s mourn the stars of stage and screen. Due Date: A Library Death Salon. Nook & Nowhere. February 19, 2026 at 7pm. Below is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon.
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
I know I'm missing a bunch. There just wasn't enough room on the graphic! If you're part of another death doula collective, share the info in the comments. 👇

#deathpositive #deathdoula #collective #endoflifecare
On a gray background, green, black, and white text reads as follows: An incomplete list of U.S. death doula collectives. 1. Bay Area EOL Doula Alliance. “Founded in 2018, ELDA is San Francisco Bay Area’s preeminent end-of-life doula organization.” (Icon of Golden Gate Bridge.) 2. Chicago Death Doula Collective. “Providing Chicagoans with holistic, inclusive & accessible death care, education and advocacy.” (Icon of The Bean sculpture.) 3. Florida EOL Doula Alliance. “A statewide organization providing support and education around death, dying, and bereavement.” (Icon of three palm trees.) 4. Minnesota Death Collaborative. “We provide integrative death care to those who are dying, their families, and their support network.” (Icon of a common loon.) 5. Philly Death Doula Collective. “We believe that all individuals have a right to die and grieve feeling fully supported.” (Icon of the Liberty Bell.) deadparentswhatnow.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
I'll bet you thought my preferred genre was horror. In tomorrow's newsletter, we'll celebrate my birthday with some of my favorite funeral and graveyard scenes from teen movies! Sign up: deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter

#newsletter #movies #funeral #cemetery #deathpositive
Old-fashioned black and green text on a white background reads: Dear reader, I present to you: iconic funeral and graveyard scenes from some of my favorite movies—which all happen to be teen comedies of yore, because that’s my favorite genre. The Columbarium. deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter
February 2, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Living in California? Here are the legal methods of disposition in your state as of February 2026.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #funeral #burial #cremation #aquamation #humancomposting #greenburial #california
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 California? Traditional burial (check); Green burial (check); Fire cremation (check); Water cremation (check); Human composting (check); deadparentswhatnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Don't worry—I'll have some social posts set up for you while I'm gone, and the newsletter is still on! But I may be slow to respond while I'm eating my body weight in poutine. Thanks for understanding.

#outofoffice #traveling #deathpositive
On a white background, the outline of the city of Montreal is represented in polka dots. Above the outline, black and white text reads: Je voyage à Montréal pour mon anniversaire! Translation: I'm going to Montreal for my birthday! Below the outline, black text reads: My apologies if I'm slow to respond to email or social media. I'll be back in the states on February 5th! In the center is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon.
January 30, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Julia Armfield's novel "Private Rites" was my first read of 2026, and to my delight, it was a horror story about my favorite topic: post-death bureaucracy. Also, cults. Have you seen your post-death family strife reflected in art?

#books #deathpositive #estateplanning #familystrife #grief #horror
The cover of Julia Armfield's novel "Private Rites," featuring an illustration of rain over a silhouetted hillside and dark blue water, sits in the center of a lime green background. Black text surrounding it reads: Epitaph. Fiction About Dying. Private Rites by Julia Armfield. deadparentswhatnow.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
I'm proud of my book, and I'd be happy to talk about it with you both in person and virtually. There's nothing I love more than a road trip, so if you want me to come to Alaska or something, let's see if we can make it happen.

#books #deathpositive #publicspeaking #grief #estateplanning #booktour
The cover of the book "My Parents Are Dead: What Now?" sits behind two lime green arrows that say: Have book. Will travel. White text above and below reads: I'd love to chat about My Parents Are Dead: What Now? at your event/book club/library/podcast/whatever. Email me: hello@deadparentswhatnow.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Listen to my recent segment on @allofitwnyc.bsky.social! Alison and I chatted about my new book and the perils of cleaning out your dead parents’ stuff. Listen: www.wnyc.org/story/how-to... #deathpositive #npr #radio
January 27, 2026 at 7:51 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
In tomorrow's edition of The Columbarium: Why are trusts called trusts? Who or what is being trusted? Sign up to solve the mystery: deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter

#newsletter #deathpositive #estatelaw #estateplanning #history #etymology
Old-fashioned white and green text on a dark gray background reads: But with a trust in place, the landowners could say: It doesn’t matter if I die because the land is being used by my widow/these nuns/my neighbor/my youngest kid! No money or land for you, my liege! The Columbarium. deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter
January 26, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Living in Arkansas? Here are the legal methods of disposition in your state as of January 2026.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #funeral #burial #cremation #aquamation #humancomposting #greenburial #arkansas
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 Arkansas? Traditional burial (check); Green burial (check); Fire cremation (check); Water cremation (X); Human composting (X); deadparentswhatnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
The FTC's Funeral Rule protects consumer rights when it comes to the death industry. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated since 1994—not so great when it comes to rapidly changing technologies and the internet.

#deathpositive #funeralrule #consumerprotection #1990s #funeralindustry
A piece of paper is posted onto a black and lime green checkerboard background with a pearly pushpin. On the piece of paper, pink and green handwritten text reads: 1994 is the last time the Federal Trade Commission updated its Funeral Rule. So much for industry regulation! At the bottom, on top of a pink box, is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon.
January 23, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
CHICAGO! My book and I will be visiting you ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! We'll be in conversation with death doula extraordinaire ERICA REID GERDES! It will be FUN! Catch you at Women & Children First at 7pm CT. Please register so the bookstore can get a headcount: www.eventbrite.com/e/book-event...
The cover of the book "My Parents Are Dead: What Now?" sits on the top left corner of an image on an olive green background. A smiling headshot of the author, Becky Robison, wearing a green halter top sits in the lower left corner. White and black words across the image read: Women & Children First presents Becky Robison in conversation with Erica Reid Gerdes. My Parents Are Dead: What Now? Thursday, January 29 at 7pm CT. 5233 N. Clark St.
January 22, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
You’ve heard a lot about my dead parents book. I thought you might like to meet my dead parents, Nancy and Dan. 💗
#deathpositive #books #grief
January 21, 2026 at 9:18 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
If you are ONLINE or IN LOUISVILLE, you should come hang out with me this week. Talking about my new book with Lauren Seeley. Helping you out with POA paperwork at MaybeItsFate. The first death salon of 2026 at Nook & Nowhere. There's no better way to spend your time!

#deathpositive #events
On a colorful green background dappled with gray, black and white text reads: It's a busy week. Wednesday, January 21: Book Talk w/ Lauren Seeley | 7pm ET | Instagram Live | We'll chat about my new book and all things death. Thursday, January 22: Power (of attorney) Hours! | 2-4pm ET | MaybeItsFate | Louisville, KY | Check that pesky POA paperwork off your to-do list! Thursday, January 22: Due Date: A Library Death Salon | 7-8pm ET | Nook & Nowhere | Louisville, KY | Your loved one may be gone, but their stuff remains. More details at deadparentswhatnow.com/events. 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.
January 20, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
In tomorrow's edition of The Columbarium, an investigation: Did St. Hildegard von Bingen invent hospice care over a millennium ago? Sign up to find out: deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter

#newsletter #deathpositive #hospicecare #endoflifecare #hildegardofbingen #history
Old fashioned black text on a lime green background reads: This German abbess was something of a Renaissance woman—except she lived centuries before the Renaissance. The Columbarium. deadparentswhatnow.com/newsletter
January 19, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Living in Arizona? Here are the legal methods of disposition in your state as of January 2026.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #funeral #burial #cremation #aquamation #humancomposting #greenburial #arizona
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 Arizona? Traditional burial (check); Green burial (check); Fire cremation (check); Water cremation (check); Human composting (check); deadparentswhatnow.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Thank you for letting me unleash my inner English teacher to clarify these commonly confused terms. Palliative Care and Hospice Care can go together—but they don't have to! And they're not the same.

#deathpositive #deatheducation #endoflife #endoflifecare #hospicecare #palliativecare
On a white background traced with light green flowers, lime green and black text reads: Hospice Care and Palliative Care are neither Synonyms nor Antonyms. Below, on a lime green background, black text reads: Hospice care offers end-of-life treatment. Palliative care improves quality of life. You don't have to be dying to receive palliative care! But dying people can receive palliative care, too. In the upper-right corner is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon.
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
Thanks for all your support of “My Parents Are Dead: What Now?” Here are some other ways you can promote the book, if you’re so inclined!
#deathpositive #books #bookreviews #thankyou
January 15, 2026 at 5:59 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
A wonderful friend surprised me with this Jill Lepore book. Through loosely connected essays that journey along the stages of life, Lepore examines the culture of life and death we've built in America, for all its innovations and all its flaws.
#books #deathpositive #jilllepore #essays
White and lime green text on a gray background speckled with black reads: "Matters of life and death are not, inherently, partisan. They have been turned to partisan purposes, and that shift has fundamentally altered American political culture. Americans have always fought about rights, but life is different from liberty and property." - Jill Lepore, "The Mansion of Happiness: A History of Life and Death"
January 14, 2026 at 4:55 PM
deadparentswhatnow.com
DUE DATE: A LIBRARY DEATH SALON is back! And because the main library branch is closed for renovations, we've been adopted by everyone's favorite bookstore/bar/cafe Nook & Nowhere! Catch you on 1/22 to talk death cleaning strategies.
#deathsalon #deathpositive #louisville #deathcleaning
An old fashioned library borrowing card sits on a black background. On top, white and green typewriter text reads: Your loved one may be gone, but their belongings remain. STUFF! Nobody likes to do chores. It's worse when you're grieving. Join us at new location Nook & Nowhere to talk strategies for protecting your heart and staying sane while getting rid of all that stuff. Due Date: A Library Death Salon. Nook & Nowhere (new location!). January 22, 2026 at 7pm. Below is the logo for My Parents Are Dead: What Now? featuring a cartoon skull with heart eyes atop a lime green heptagon. Green text on a black background reads: DUE DATE - A LIBRARY DEATH SALON. All sessions 7-8 p.m. at Nook & Nowhere in Louisville, facilitated by writer and death doula Becky Robison. In the center is an image of an old-fashioned library borrower's card, featuring columns for date due and borrower's name. But this one is labeled with UPCOMING SESSIONS: 1/22 - STUFF! A.K.A. death cleaning. 2/19 - Dead celebrities. 3/19 - Death & taxes. An explanation on the side reads: Somewhere between a workshop, a support group, and a weird party, these monthly death salons will help you come face to face with the Grim Reaper—and maybe even befriend him.
January 13, 2026 at 4:55 PM