My Parents Are Dead: What Now?: A Panic-Free Guide to the Practicalities of Death

by Becky Robison

An approachable, expert-fueled guide to dealing with the legal, financial, and logistical hurdles of parent death—without losing your sense of humor.

Whether you’ve recently lost a parent or are just trying to plan for the toughest day of your life so far, you’re probably experiencing a lot of dizzying emotions. Unfortunately, our legal and financial systems don’t care about your feelings. Whether you’re holding it together or falling apart, you are going to need to enter an overwhelming labyrinth of paperwork and bureaucracy.

But you don’t have to do it alone.

After losing both parents, Becky Robison devoted herself to making death and post-death logistics easier on others—reading up on estate law, becoming a trained death doula, and starting her website DeadParentsWhatNow.com. She draws on her own experience, plus interviews with experts from monument makers to morticians, to hold your hand

Asking your parents about their end-of-life wishes while you canGetting a body buried, cremated, or donated to sciencePlanning a funeralSecuring a death certificateDealing with your parents’ property—or debtHandling even more tricky issues you never wanted to be in charge ofAnd still being able to laugh, a little, sometimes
Nothing about this is easy. The good news is, you have someone on your side.

Genres: Nonfiction, Grief, Self Help, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2026

About the author

Becky Robison is a writer and certified death doula living in Louisville, Kentucky. A graduate of UNLV's creative writing MFA program, she has been published in Salon, Slate, Business Insider, and elsewhere. After her parents died, she created My Parents Are Dead: What Now?—a website documenting her journey through the legal, financial, and bureaucratic aftermath in order to help others do the same. She continues to educate others about death and dying through her writing and public speaking.

Reviews

[Becky Robison]

You think I'm not going to give my own book five stars? Come on, now. 😉

[Jane Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I felt really unprepared in terms of going through the legal logistics of a parent's death, and I also can't afford a lawyer for unlimited consultation--so this book was a great primer in that regard. It is written conversationally, with lots of interesting facts, and will put you in a more knowledgeable place for looming, overwhelming tasks. It is also a relatively quick read given the amount of stuff covered. Highly recommend!

[kellymross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn’t needed right this very minute… but the time will come. I found this very helpful, comforting and practical.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone who is in fact mortal. We will all die someday, and going into end of life and executorship with at least an inkling of what's going to transpire is super helpful.

Becky's book is fun to read, it's pragmatic, and a great reference tool. And there's no rule that says this topic needs to be sombre or morbid.

Do yourself a favour and read this book. Please. Your future self and your executor will thank you.

[Chrystal Mahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Parents Are Dead: What Now? is one of those books I wish everyone had on their bookshelf before they needed it.

Becky Robison takes an incredibly difficult subject and turns it into something practical, approachable, and surprisingly comforting. Losing a parent is devastating enough without suddenly being expected to navigate death certificates, funeral arrangements, burial or cremation decisions, property, debt, paperwork, and a mountain of other logistical details while you're grieving.

What I appreciated most is that Robison doesn't pretend any of this is easy. Instead, she acknowledges the emotional reality while giving readers clear information about what actually needs to be done. Her experience of losing both parents gives the book a personal quality, while the expert insights add practical knowledge that makes the information even more useful.

I also appreciated the humor. Death isn't exactly a subject most people want to sit down and read about, but the occasional lightheartedness makes this book feel less intimidating without diminishing the seriousness of the subject.

This would be an especially valuable book for anyone who has aging parents, is beginning end-of-life planning, or simply wants to understand what happens after a death occurs. It's the kind of resource you hope you won't need anytime soon, but you'll be incredibly grateful to have when you do.

Informative, compassionate, practical, and refreshingly honest. This isn't just a book about death. It's a guide to getting through the overwhelming practical aftermath while you're trying to grieve.

A very deserving 5 stars.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Quirk Books through NetGalley.
Informative and relaxed style. As the title says, Robinson offers a guide to the myriad of details surrounding a parent's death. She separates the pieces into manageable chunks and brings in experts (through interview questions) to give further information in each chapter.
The familiar tone she chose pulls readers in during the most difficult times in their lives. Intended readers could be preparing to delve into this process or are in the midst of grief while handling all of these details. For me, it was affirming as I've already walked there and informative as I think of my children dealing with the steps. Her friend to friend style should let readers process at their own pace while still getting the complicated steps done in the United States death process. It's worth reading for the compiled Resources alone.

[Clairelettersandmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Parents Are Dead: What Now? tackles a subject nobody really wants to think about, but does it in such an approachable and surprisingly easy-to-read way. It focuses on the practical side of losing a parent, from funerals and death certificates to estates, debts, and all the paperwork nobody prepares you for.

I really appreciated Becky Robison's conversational style and sense of humour. It keeps what could be an incredibly heavy subject from becoming completely overwhelming. I also liked that it's useful whether you're currently dealing with a loss or, like me, simply someone who would rather understand these things before ever needing to.

Definitely not my usual escapist reading, but practical, reassuring, and one of those books I'm glad exists, even if I hope I don't need to refer back to it anytime soon.

[Cj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out as a library book & liked the first-person humor throughout. Read it in two days. Future editions might want to breakout specific sections in each chapter aligned with if parents had a) no will & no trust, b) a will but no trust, and c) a will and a trust. I mention this because it would have been easier to read through vs skim for what is pertinent to my situation. Also, best advice was don’t wait for your parents to die - start the conversation(s) while they are lucid. Nice touches: relief of guilt in various scenarios and emphasis on self care. I’m happy to report my parents are alive and have put together a binder but I gleaned insight anyhow. This is a valuable book.

[Amy Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combines practical knowledge, humor, and honest grief to create a resource that we all need in our shelves. It’s useful whether your parents are already dead or not, as the information in here is pertinent for us all. Use it to prepare for your own death, so that your family won’t be left struggling after you’re gone. Sit down with your partner and work on these things together. Whatever your situation, this book can help be better prepared, and it will make you chuckle and laugh out loud while you’re doing it.

[Sandra L Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide for a tough topic

This book could be titled, “Things you don’t want to know but need to know.” Becky’s writing reads like a conversation with a friend. Her explanations give clear guidance, with a touch of humor to engage the reader. This is valuable information presented in an approachable way.

[Nancypants · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, digestible information. Not only helpful for preparing for my aging parents but also informative for myself in preparing for death.

[Susan Dunker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will pick it back up. It seemed like it offered a lot of good advice.

[KIM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful!

[Sara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real talk: this is the book I wish existed for every single person who's ever had to Google "what do I do now" after a parent dies. Becky Robison, who I've had the pleasure of meeting through funeral consumer advocacy work, writes like she's sitting across from you. Practical, clear, zero fluff.
I read part in print, finished on audio (narrated by Becky herself! Her voice is warm and easy to listen to.) Already bought a second copy for a friend who just lost her mom.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never review a book but this one hit home. My dad died a month ago.. of course I wish I had read this sooner but I read a lot about death (weirdo) so I've done a lot right but there is always more deaths to come. I want to be as prepared as can be. I have recommended this book to friends and family. It was sooo good! Light hearted, funny, and informative!