Before All Is Said and Done by Pat Miles

the notion of planning for one’s death is intrinsically at odds with our human instinct to avoid considering our own mortality. although we may contemplate the grief that our life’s impermanence would cause to our loved ones, we seldom consider the myriad of emotional and legal issues that can arise afterward. before all is said and done begins with the experience of author pat miles zimmerman and her husband, charles “bucky” zimmerman. pat and bucky were fully set for life but, regrettably, not set for death. after bucky’s death from an abrupt and short illness, pat found herself with a plate full of unanticipated emotions, decisions, and legal problems. but, as she spoke with other widows, she learned she was not alone in finding herself adrift after losing a spouse. the shock and grief that erupt from the loss of someone dearly beloved do not create a state of mind fit for navigating the numerous challenges that follow an unexpected death. before all is said and done dutifully a