The Journal

Navigating the complexities of probate, estate planning, and inheritance.

A woman in a charcoal jacket sits beside a train window with a canvas bag, looking toward the city.
November 1, 20264 min readGrief & Loss

Returning to Work After Someone Dies

Returning to work while grieving? Plan what to ask your manager, what colleagues should know, and what to do when a working day feels difficult.

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Four adults talking around a small cafe table with cups and cake beside a window
Living Well4 min read

What Happens at a Death Café?

A Death Café brings people together to talk about death over tea and cake. Here's what to expect, what to ask the host, and how to decide whether to go.

October 18, 2026

A woman seated by a window and a man standing in a doorway talking in a living room
Family4 min read

Siblings Grieve Differently After a Parent Dies

Your sibling may cry openly while you keep busy, or the other way around. Here's why grief can look so different between siblings and how to stay close through it.

October 4, 2026

Two relatives at a dining table, one making a phone call while the other writes notes.
Executor Duties5 min read

What To Do When Someone Dies: The 2027 Guide

Who to call first, how to handle the funeral and paperwork, and which money decisions to put off until someone has legal authority over the estate.

October 1, 2026

An open music book above the worn keys of an upright piano in a sunlit gathering room.
Grief & Loss5 min read

The Best Funeral Songs for 2027

Fifteen funeral songs for 2027, grouped for quiet reflection, a church service, or a celebration of life, with what to check before the day.

October 1, 2026

A brown dog with a gray muzzle resting in a sunlit kitchen doorway
Planning Ahead4 min read

Who Will Care for Your Pet After You Die?

How to choose a caregiver for your pet, cover the first few days, and pay for long-term care. Includes what a Texas will can do and how a pet trust works.

September 27, 2026

A woman with short gray hair writing a letter on a board in her lap beside an open window
Living Well4 min read

How to Write a Legacy Letter

A legacy letter tells someone what you've learned and what they mean to you. Use these prompts to write a personal letter and decide when to share it.

September 21, 2026