A Much-Needed Checklist

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Following the death of my father this past week, I found myself at a complete loss of how to handle all the arrangements for his funeral, as well as how to sort through all the financial details that needed attending to. And on top of dealing with dad's death, my elderly mother was also hospitalized a day after his death with internal bleeding. As the oldest child in the family, everyone was looking at me to take charge, especially since my mother was incapacitated in the hospital. Although I didn't mind taking charge of handling all the details, I was at a complete loss of what to do. I had no idea of who need to be called or contacted, what bills needed to be paid, how to cash in life insurance policies, what to do with his possessions, etc. I know that what I experienced this past week was not unique to me only. Death is part of the circle of life, and all of us have to face the death of loved ones at some point in life. So I know we've all gone through this at some point in our lives. But my question is, why isn't there a checklist that identifies all the various details that need to be taken care when a loved one dies? Why doesn't the government provide "death assistance" to families who've lost someone? It would surely help everyone in their time of grieving, and help soften the blow of picking up the pieces once someone special in our lives is gone. Some type of checklist would sure have lowered my stress levels this week!