Because my Mom had been diagnosed with cancer, I think my parents were prompted to get their affairs in order.  Then my Dad also was diagnosed with cancer about a year into my Mom's treatments so we were very stressed with all the care for both of them.  It was extremely fortunate that we had a pretty good sense of exactly how they wanted their medical, financial, and other details handled.

When my Mom was at the end of her life, our family (with her included) sat together and discussed plans for her memorial and other concerns.  My Mom chose the music for her service and wanted 12 honorary pall bearers, all her women friends whose function was to greet and seat people at the service.  After she died, and perhaps even as much as a year later, it occurred to me how unusual it was that we were able as a family to be so level-headed in such an extreme circumstance.   I am really grateful for that.