Our dog died at the vets office after surgery, is it reasonable for us to ask for a refund? [more inside]
posted by missanissa on Nov 30, 2009 - 19 answers

How common is it for someone to make a devastating deathbed declaration, like "I never really loved you," or "I'm not really your father?"
posted by quidividi on Nov 28, 2009 - 24 answers

A classmate of mine has passed away following a horrifying accident, leaving behind a wife and infant daughter. What sort of gesture would it be appropriate for my classmates and I to make, if any, to show our appreciation for this person and to let his family know that we're thinking of them during this difficult time?
posted by killdevil on Nov 27, 2009 - 19 answers

So my grandfather is really sick and I haven't seen him in four years. Up until I turned eleven or twelve, our relationship was great. After that, not so much. Long, sorry. [more inside]
posted by Tha Race Card on Nov 23, 2009 - 25 answers

Both of my wife's parents died. Her dad first in January, now her mom in September. My wife is the oldest child. No will was left. What do we do? [more inside]
posted by Bageena on Nov 18, 2009 - 24 answers

I'm helping a friend dispose of a relative's estate. She left a lot of stuff to move out of the house. We're not sure how best to do this. [more inside]
posted by Pronoiac on Nov 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Death, mourning, family, and holidays: How to prepare for the holidays in a post-Dad world? [more inside]
posted by NikitaNikita on Nov 10, 2009 - 13 answers

My mother is dying. How can I forgive myself for the guilt of leaving her bedside? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 9, 2009 - 35 answers

Which books help me get into the psyche of war criminals, suicide bombers, etc? [more inside]
posted by hasna on Nov 3, 2009 - 21 answers

DeathFilter: How can I make my arms, chest, and neck look paler without getting white stuff everywhere? [more inside]
posted by Captain Cardanthian! on Oct 27, 2009 - 10 answers

There is a half-dead mouse in my room. Instruct me on what to do as if I were a little child. [more inside]
posted by granted on Oct 20, 2009 - 35 answers

If person A leaves something of value to person B in their will, with the stipulation that it be left to person C if B should predecease A, what happens if A & B die semi-simultaneously [say both are in the same car accident] and it can't be determined who died first? [more inside]
posted by HiroProtagonist on Oct 13, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm toying with an idea for a short story or maybe a long story or maybe no story, but the idea has led me to a point where I have a question for those of you who have some knowledge about science and biology. Read on, brave adventurer! [more inside]
posted by kbanas on Oct 12, 2009 - 19 answers

How do I write a thank-you card to a sister-in-law who is dying? [more inside]
posted by stenoboy on Oct 4, 2009 - 13 answers

Safe to eat raw refrozen meats that've been defrosted several times? [more inside]
posted by chalbe on Sep 28, 2009 - 5 answers

[FearFilter]: 15 years ago I experienced an imminent death/serious injury moment that turned out ok. However, I still feel physical chills and tingly feelings even thinking about it. Am I the only one or is this common? Thoughts and stories appreciated. The science is a huge bonus. [more inside]
posted by Funmonkey1 on Sep 28, 2009 - 19 answers

Our somewhat estranged neighbors just lost their 19 y/o son in a tragic accident. How do we communicate our sympathies? [more inside]
posted by keith0718 on Sep 12, 2009 - 28 answers

Facing death: I have received a medical estimate of dying within a year, but this is known only to me (within my circle of family and friends, including my wife). I am so lost as to how to break the news in a caring, non-stressful way. [more inside]
posted by potato on Sep 7, 2009 - 36 answers

What are some good official sources for post-catastrophe, post-accident, or post-emergency reporting? [more inside]
posted by ollyollyoxenfree on Sep 3, 2009 - 5 answers

I seek a tome of knowledge pertaining to the Bard of Avalon, one William Shakespeare hight by name. To meet my wishes, it is meet said tome contains a listing of all personae dramatica in each play who meet their end, timely or no. Doth such a book exist? [more inside]
posted by starvingartist on Sep 2, 2009 - 5 answers

At what age does a child realize his or her mortality? [more inside]
posted by Tchad on Aug 27, 2009 - 44 answers

Is there a society for people who have died and lived to tell the tale? [more inside]
posted by SciencePunk on Aug 27, 2009 - 3 answers

How did William H. Seldon, Jr. die? [more inside]
posted by Mr_Zero on Aug 26, 2009 - 2 answers

FictionFilter! I can't believe I'm asking this, but.. here goes: What could you put in an urn that would be mistaken for the ashes of a loved one? Oh god, that looks even worse now that I've actually typed it! Luckily, it's only for a story I'm writing. [more inside]
posted by 2oh1 on Aug 13, 2009 - 36 answers

What is this story about someone literally scared to death? [more inside]
posted by ladypants on Aug 12, 2009 - 2 answers

My grandmother died this morning. I'm going home to help out the family, but I would like to make a list of things I might not remember before I leave so that we don't forget anything. [more inside]
posted by Unicorn on the cob on Aug 12, 2009 - 23 answers

I would like to help my friends, if I can; two of them are individually dealing with incredibly stressful and sad health-related situations related to their parents. [more inside]
posted by taz on Aug 8, 2009 - 7 answers

What happens when police find dead people? [more inside]
posted by bensherman on Aug 3, 2009 - 15 answers

How can one safely convince a teeming mass of bees to vacate a crack in the exterior wall of a brick building, so that the crack can be filled in? [more inside]
posted by Beardman on Aug 3, 2009 - 28 answers

I've recently learned that someone I used to know from when we were both much younger, has died. I knew him only in the context of church and we'd pal around on those Sundays, but we hadn't spoken in years. It's been suggested to me, by my parents, who still attend the church (I don't), that I might play some music at the wake, since I'm a violinist. But it seems to me this might be inappropriate for a few reasons. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 22, 2009 - 10 answers

How scary is blood, really? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 10, 2009 - 29 answers

My mother has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She has decided to stop treatment as chemotherapy is not working and surgery/radiation is not an option. The oncologist estimates she has about one month left. I have the option of taking FMLA and spending all of my time with her during her last days if I want. But I am not sure that would be the healthiest option for me. My mother says just take a day or two a week and try to live as normal a life as possible. But I feel selfish living my life while she is dying. Any one ever have a similar experience?
posted by burlsube on Jul 9, 2009 - 36 answers

how do i prepare for the death of my mother?... for which i am completely, utterly, unprepared.... more inside... [more inside]
posted by unlucky.lisp on Jul 7, 2009 - 24 answers

What steps do I have to take to ensure I do not inherit anything from my family's estate, even if I'm included in the will? [more inside]
posted by medea42 on Jul 1, 2009 - 17 answers

I just found out yesterday that someone that I cared very deeply for died a few years ago from an overdose of heroin. I have a few questions regarding the nature of his death and etiquette surrounding contacting his family. [more inside]
posted by zerokey on Jun 26, 2009 - 15 answers

After a murder or sudden death, do the deceased's family members really have to go down to the morgue to "identify the body" or is this just a dramatic construct of movies and television? [more inside]
posted by hamsterdam on Jun 26, 2009 - 25 answers

A friend's father just died, and I will be attending the viewing on Sunday. I don't know what to do about the body. [more inside]
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty on Jun 26, 2009 - 24 answers

My grandmother's doctor just phone and used the words "Necrotic tissue". I'm now crapping myself. Should I be...? [more inside]
posted by twine42 on Jun 23, 2009 - 7 answers

Have you lost a spouse at a very young age? How did you cope? [more inside]
posted by mrbill on Jun 21, 2009 - 70 answers

Has there ever been a documented case of death by drowning in yogurt?
posted by boots on Jun 18, 2009 - 3 answers

I believe an online friend may have died, but I am not sure. I know relatively few details, but I am wondering if there is some sort of obituary or death record search I could use to confirm my suspicion. [more inside]
posted by liesbyomission on Jun 9, 2009 - 11 answers

My (estranged) father just died. I don't know if he left a will. What are my next steps? [more inside]
posted by haplesschild on Jun 8, 2009 - 18 answers

I've read and loved the histories of Sir Robert Falcon Scott, James Kim, George Mallory, S. A. Andrée, et cetera, and now I would like to be pointed towards more stories of men and women who -- either by way of adventure or by circumstance -- succumbed to the elements after a protracted attempt at survival... preferably leaving a rich and well-written-about story. [more inside]
posted by cadastral on Jun 5, 2009 - 14 answers

Should my 18-month old niece attend my grandmother's funeral? [more inside]
posted by Lleyam on Jun 4, 2009 - 28 answers

How can I find my dead cat? [more inside]
posted by the_arbiter on Jun 3, 2009 - 22 answers

We've come into a situation where we will need hospice care soon. What hospice do you recommend in the Tulsa, OK area?
posted by drleary on May 25, 2009 - 3 answers

Searching for short poetry (or prose?) appropriate to send 2 close friends who have had sudden family deaths shake their foundations. [more inside]
posted by malibustacey9999 on May 20, 2009 - 19 answers

I remember a year ago this strange, japanese video on youtube that featured mega man dying. It was all him dying of the stupidest things, all the ways you can die and some stuff added from the "otaku" scene or whatever. [more inside]
posted by PowerCat on May 20, 2009 - 5 answers

How can I best prepare for death or, I guess, the process of dying? [more inside]
posted by milarepa on May 15, 2009 - 39 answers

What might have caused black spots to form and grow on my mother-in-law's eyes as she was dying from pancreatic cancer and the inevitable infections that go along with cancer and its treatment? I'm hoping someone with a similar experience or someone in the medical field might be able to tell us something that the doctors here couldn't. [more inside]
posted by ElDiabloConQueso on May 14, 2009 - 4 answers