Chapter 3. Final Arrangements

Telling friends of an illness

To My Dearest Friends,

I am writing to tell you of some difficult news. I have been diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.

I have suspected there was a problem for a while, but it still came as quite a shock when my doctors finally figured out why I have been so weak lately.

I am determined to fight this battle and win, and I expect to be around for a long time to come.

But I want everyone to know that while I am undergoing treatment I will probably not be quite myself. I may need some TLC and a shoulder to lean on from time to time, and as always, I will treasure your friendship and support.

Love,

Julia

Telling friends of death in family

Dear Betty,

It is with great sadness that I write to tell you of my mother Sarah’s death on February 3.

Our whole family was able to be with her at the hospice where she spent her final days.

We will be celebrating her life at a service in a few weeks. I will be sure to let you know the details once they are set.

In the meantime, we hope you will join us in remembering her as the vibrant, gracious, and caring person she was.

Sincerely,

Abby Connor

Notification of death of young person

Dear Ruth,

As you know, Megan’s valiant struggle against cancer finally came to an end. Our precious little girl died last week.

I wanted to thank you for being so supportive to our entire family during this extraordinarily emotional year, taking care of our other children while we spent time with Megan at the hospital. It was a great kindness and gift to our family.

We feel so fortunate to have had even so brief a period of time with Megan; she will be part of us for all of our days.

We will share with you our plans for a memorial service and celebration of her life soon and we hope you will join with us then.

With our love and gratitude,

Erica Smith

Inviting guests to memorial service

Simon Keller

Rolling Meadow

As you know, my mother Gloria passed in December. In keeping with her wishes we held only a small funeral service for the immediate family at the time.

With the arrival of summer, her favorite time of the year, we have decided to invite her friends and coworkers to join us in a celebration of her life.

We hope you will join us at my home at 87 Mirror Pond Road in Rolling Meadow at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 28.

It is our plan to share some stories and offer a toast to a wonderful lady and then fulfill her final wish, releasing her ashes over Mirror Pond.

Sincerely,

Sharon Graves

Thanking doctor for care

Timothy Latham, MD

Rolling Meadow

Dear Dr. Latham,

I want to thank you for the exceptional care you gave my mother, Sylvia Jones, in the final weeks of her life.

My mother’s last days were very difficult for all of us, but the respect and dignity you showed to her made it easier for her family to accept and deal with her passing.

Thank you again.

Monica Curtis

Making prearrangements for funeral

David Barrows

Rolling Meadow Funeral Home

Dear Mr. Barrows,

I am writing on behalf of my mother, Sylvia Jones, under power of attorney. She has asked me to make prearrangements for her funeral and burial.

Basically, we would like to have the same sort of services provided for my father at your establishment in May 2009.

Please prepare a proposal and send me information about how prearranged funerals are put under contract and the protections offered clients.

Thank you.

Monica Curtis

Asking cost of funeral arrangements be reduced

David Barrows

Rolling Meadow Funeral Home

Dear Mr. Barrows,

Thank you for your proposal for prearrangement of my mother’s funeral and burial in Rolling Meadow Cemetery.

With her approval I have chosen a coffin from those you suggested and have indicated it on the enclosed form.

However, the total cost of the funeral is about $2,000 more than we spent for my father; we would like to keep the expense the same. I would appreciate it if you would examine your proposal and find ways to reduce the cost by $2,000.

We were satisfied with the arrangements you made for my father and would like to continue with your establishment. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Monica Curtis

Accepting proposal for funeral arrangement

David Barrows

Rolling Meadow Funeral Home

Dear Mr. Barrows,

Thank you for your revised proposal for prearrangement of burial expenses for my mother. The small modifications you suggested in no way diminish the attention we will be devoting to my mother’s memory.

At this time we have decided to accept your bid.

I have signed the contract and have enclosed the first payment. Please forward details of the escrow account when it is established.

Sincerely,

Monica Curtis

Asking about safeguards of prepayment plan

David Barrows

Rolling Meadow Funeral Home

Dear Mr. Barrows,

Thank you for sending your proposal for setting up a prepaid funeral contract for my mother.

I would appreciate it if you would also send me the paperwork associated with the state-guaranteed funeral prepayment account.

As I understand the process, you will be establishing an escrow account to hold the funds and will report to us annually on its value including any accrued interest. Under the state program we are protected against any price increases or financial difficulties at the funeral home.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Monica Curtis

Seeking change to prepaid funeral arrangements

David Barrows

Rolling Meadow Funeral Home

Dear Mr. Barrows,

As you know, last year we made prearrangements for the funeral of my mother through your home. We signed a contract based on her wishes at the time.

While I understand that under terms of the prearrangement contract you are not required to permit cancellation of the arrangements, I would like to find out about the possibility of a change.

My mother has now decided she wishes to be cremated rather than interred.

Based on your original proposal, I believe this would not amount to much of a change in the full price since we would not be paying the expenses of burial. We would leave all other arrangements unchanged.

Could you please let me know how this change would affect our prearranged contract?

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Monica Curtis

Changing name on subscription because of death

Subscription services

Timeweek Magazine

In regards to account 6SJ7-20983092-209083

Please change the name on the above subscription from Eleanor Greenwood to Ronald Greenwood. The address remains the same.

My wife passed away three years ago and it is still a jolt to receive mail addressed in her name.

Thank you.

Ronald Greenwood

Canceling subscription for deceased relative

Subscription services

Quilting News

Dear manager,

My mother, Eleanor Bennett, was a subscriber to Quilting News and her present subscription is due to expire in sixteen months.

She passed away recently and I would like to cancel that subscription.

As executor of her estate, please send refunds to me, her son, at the following address:

Donald Bennett

86 Cross Street

Rolling Meadow

Asking property owned by siblings be sold

William Gardner

Rolling Meadow

Dear Bill,

Now that mom’s estate has been fully settled, I would like to discuss how we will deal with her house.

We each received half-ownership in the property, and speaking for myself, I would rather have the cash than the responsibility to maintain the old house as a rental unit. The proceeds from a sale would be an immense help for my family.

I know you wanted to keep the house in the family. If you still feel that way, I would be happy to discuss selling out my half to you. Otherwise, I’d like to arrange to meet with a real estate agent and put the property on the market.

Regards,

Steve Gardner

Offering donation of home to society

James Burns, executive director

Rolling Meadow Historical Society

Dear Mr. Burns,

I have been a member of the Rolling Meadow Historical Society for many years, and it has long been my hope to leave my home to the society as an endowment. As you know, it is one of the original structures in the town, with many of its details unchanged from the way it was first built in 1801.

I would hope you are willing to accept my gift of the home, along with a sustaining endowment to pay for its upkeep.

Once I hear from you I will ask my attorney to work with the society’s legal counsel to draw up papers prearranging for the donation of the home upon my death.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

David Meyers