DEAR ABBY: I wrote both my and my husband's obituaries a long time ago. I did it because my last job was dealing with death certificates, and I know from experience that when a death occurs and emotions run high, important information can inadvertently be omitted.
I have even filled out blank death certificates with all the necessary information except, of course, the date of death and cause. Our funerals have also been pre-arranged and paid for.
In case you haven't guessed, I was a Girl Scout when I was a kid -- and I guess I took to heart their motto, "Be Prepared." -- WE DO HAVE THE LAST WORD, SPRINGFIELD, OHIO
DEAR "WE DO": And bless you for it. You have taken all of the guesswork out of a wrenching task that otherwise your survivors would have faced. I'm sure they will thank you for it in their prayers when the time comes.