My father passed in December and fortunately, he was well organized, methodical in his paperwork and planning, as well as keeping essential documents in a central, fireproof safe.
As an aside, he did keep a lot of unessential records along with the important papers. For example, we found all of his tax returns and tax receipts. . .dating back to 1954.
You might also include what you wish to be buried in. My father, a retired O-6, told my mother he wished to be buried in his uniform. He also told me that as well, too include pointing out his dress blues as the uniform he wanted. My mother, never confirmed which uniform and she had him dressed in his White Mess Dress with medals and rank. However, as pointed out, this was not the uniform he wanted to be buried in. That was one issue, not a big deal really, but my mother wanted to keep "his medals," and as the casket was closing she had them removed from his uniform, too include his shoulder boards with rank. He was basically buried without his military honors. Not what he wanted.
Sorry to hear about your father’s uniform. I believe that a simple fix could have been arraigned by having an extra set of medals. Perhaps one for the wife and each of the children?
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Yeah.
My dad wanted to be buried in his dress blues.
We searched everywhere for them. every closet, every drawer, ever box in every known storage location. Never did find them. We *think* he may have donated them at some point.
I hope being buried in a blue dress sufficed...