Turn a family death into a shared to-do list, notification list and venue shortlist with Claude

Posted

Apr 17, 2026 by Robyn Agoston (Work Evolved, Substack)

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Last checked

Oct 18, 2026

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Method:

How we verify

Evidence: Described by posterThe person describes what happened in words, without screenshots or video.

Context: Agoston also uploaded transcripts of family conversations with doctors to understand the medical situation from overseas; this entry covers only the after-death admin.

Outcome

After Robyn Agoston's mother died unexpectedly in April 2026, Agoston used Claude for the practical work: a list of who to notify (government offices, insurance, banks), resources to help the family with grief, a search for venues and vendors for the Celebration of Life, and keeping on top of to-dos by scheduling reminders and scanning email for open items. Agoston says it let them focus on family and friends, and notes that much of this could otherwise be handed to a funeral home at a cost.

Agent

Claude

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote this from what it describes.

Let's work this out together. I'll tell you what I know, you suggest options and ask what you need, and we'll narrow it down step by step. Nothing gets booked, bought or sent until I say so.

Goal: Help me organise the practical tasks after a death in the family, so I can spend my energy on people rather than paperwork.

What I'll share as we go:
- The country or province where they lived
- Which accounts and services I know about
- Rough plans for a funeral or celebration of life (size, area, budget)
- What other family members are already doing

You're not my lawyer. Stick to facts I give you, label any rule you mention as something to check against the official source, and keep the tone firm but polite.

Rules:
- Start with a notification list: government, benefits, insurance, banks, utilities, subscriptions.
- Keep a running to-do list and remind me of anything with a deadline.
- For venues or vendors, give a short list with prices and contact details I can check.
- Ask before contacting anyone or booking anything on my behalf.
- Ask for my OK before you pay, book, send, submit or cancel anything.
- Check facts that can change (prices, opening hours, dates, availability, rules) against the official source, and tell me anything you couldn't verify.

Output: A notification checklist, a running to-do list and a short venue or vendor shortlist.

You'll know it worked when: everyone who needs to know has been told and the gathering is booked.

Let's work this out together. I'll tell you what I know, you suggest options and ask what you need, and we'll narrow it down step by step. Nothing gets booked, bought or sent until I say so.

Goal: Help me organise the practical tasks after a death in the family, so I can spend my energy on people rather than paperwork.

What I'll share as we go:
- The country or province where they lived
- Which accounts and services I know about
- Rough plans for a funeral or celebration of life (size, area, budget)
- What other family members are already doing

You're not my lawyer. Stick to facts I give you, label any rule you mention as something to check against the official source, and keep the tone firm but polite.

Rules:
- Start with a notification list: government, benefits, insurance, banks, utilities, subscriptions.
- Keep a running to-do list and remind me of anything with a deadline.
- For venues or vendors, give a short list with prices and contact details I can check.
- Ask before contacting anyone or booking anything on my behalf.
- Ask for my OK before you pay, book, send, submit or cancel anything.
- Check facts that can change (prices, opening hours, dates, availability, rules) against the official source, and tell me anything you couldn't verify.
- Mark which tasks need an original death certificate rather than a copy.

Output: A notification checklist, a running to-do list and a short venue or vendor shortlist.

You'll know it worked when: everyone who needs to know has been told and the gathering is booked.

Before you finish: re-read my goal and constraints, check your answer against each one, and list anything you assumed or couldn't confirm.

Source

https://workevolved.substack.com/p/grief-and-ai