When it comes to death, dying is the easy part. Emotionally, it was horrible, but as far as the act itself, and us letting go, it was relatively “easy”. But after death? Hello complications and a complex checklist! I believe I mentioned that we are going to have a military service at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. We decided that we are going to bury my grandfather there, but keep the fancy Air Force box his ashes are in. We’re also going to bury my grandmother and uncle with him, and keep their boxes as remembrances as well.
Well, my grandmother can go with him, no questions asked, but the cemetery needs a copy of her death certificate. And a copy of her cremation certificate (we didn’t even know there was one until the funeral director told us). Ditto for my uncle. But for my uncle, there also needs to be some sort of written note from his physician stating that yes, he was Down’s Syndrome, and yes, he was dependent on my grandparents because of his disability. You would think income tax records would be enough, since they show dependents, but they’re not. The physician my uncle had is over sixty miles away. And did I mention that my uncle died twelve years ago? So my mom found the contact information for the physician (who amazingly is still alive — he was my physician when I was a baby!), and the contact information for the school my uncle went to, and we’re going to do our best to get a faxed note from one or both of them in time for the funeral next Thursday.
And of course, while I’m sitting here writing this and thinking about my grandfather, doesn’t my digital photo frame display three pictures of him in a row? They’re random pictures, but still… it seems like whenever I’m here, writing about him or just thinking about him, one or more photographs of him show up (for the record, I loaded over 100 photos on my digital photo frame, and there are just five featuring my grandfather).
Besides trying to figure out which end is up in terms of getting the arrangements for my grandfather’s funeral situated, and tracking down all of the paperwork and certificates that we’re going to need to take care of his bank account and a few life insurance policies, I haven’t been up to much. Just getting back into the swing of things in terms of everyday life.
Yesterday was my sister-in-law’s high school graduation. That was fun. Dan and I went over to his aunt and uncle’s house, where we meet up with his two brothers, and then the four of us carpooled and followed Dan’s aunt, uncle and two sisters down to Delaware, where the graduation ceremony was being held. I took my camera, of course, and a book, since we got there an hour early in order to get good seats.
Today I don’t have much planned, which is a good thing. I am so tired of running around! I just want to relax for a few days.
I hope you are able to get the funeral arrangements made in time. It would be such a bummer if you could not…
But most of all, I hope you are able to relax before you and the family leave for vacation! You deserve a break away from reality for a little while.
Aw, I hope you can figure out all the funeral arrangements. I never had to do it myself but I’ve had friends who had and I know how stressful, intricate, and horrible it can be. Good luck.
That is so sweet about the photo frame. Aww. Sometimes things like that seem like they just can’t be coincidence.
I hope things go well and you can get everything done. Good luck.