Resources            Books | Web Sites | Identity Theft |

Carraque Widows has handpicked some resources that we found useful on our healing journey. If you know of any resources you think might be valuable to our membership, .

Books
Books - Adults

Finding Your Way After Your Spouse Dies by Marta Felber     View on Amazon.com

Financial Strategies for Today's Widow: Coping with the Economic Challenges of Losing a Spouse by David Latko     View on Amazon.com

I'm Grieving as Fast as I Can: How Young Widows and Widowers Can Cope and Heal by Linda Feinberg     View on Amazon.com

Books – Young Children (under 7)

Water Bugs & Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children by Doris Stickney     View on Amazon.com

Everett Anderson's Goodbye by Lucille Clifton     View on Amazon.com

Books for Older Children (7 and older)

Sad Isn't Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss by Michaelene Mundy and R. W. Alley     View on Amazon.com

Help Me Say Goodbye: Activities for Helping Kids Cope When a Special Person Dies by Janis Silverman (art therapy)     View on Amazon.com

Sunflowers and Rainbows for Tia: Saying goodbye to Daddy by Alesia K. Alexander and Clarissa Love     View on Amazon.com

Web Sites
Grief Consuling Websites

About.com Palliative Care Blog
When death happens, the surviving spouse, now a widow or widower, faces many challenges in coming to terms with a life without their friend and partner. This blog offers helpful resources for coping with the loss of a spouse. Visit site

Dating After The Death Of Your Spouse, Article Alley
It's extremely traumatic to have lost a spouse and it may take quite some time to heal the emotional wounds before you may be interested in dating someone new. Visit site

Depression-guide.com
A discussion on the confusing range of emotions that may be experienced after a loss. Visit site

Information and Services Web Sites

How Social Security Can Help You When A Family Member Dies
An Electronic Fact Sheet. Visit site

Memorial Web Sites

Last Memories
Create an online memorial website with photo albums, candles, memories, condolences, memorial video and memorial book. Visit site

Identity Theft

It is really sad that during this bereaved time in our lives, we have to worry about some heartless being assuming our spouses identity. To prevent any fraudulent activity that may occur, it is very important that you notify the Big “Three” Credit Bureaus of your spouse’s passing. Here are the steps that I took to protect my husband’s good name, my credit and my sons’ futures:

1. Made 3 copies of the Death Certificate

2. Wrote a short letter to each of the credit reporting agencies explaining Louis had passed and I wanted to protect him from identity theft.

Sample Letter
Dear Sir or Madam:

It is with great sorrow that I report, that my husband, (name) passed away on (date). I am writing this letter to insure he does not become a victim of identity theft. The last four digits of his SSN is ****. I have included a copy of his death certificate for your records. If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at (contact number).

Respectfully,
Name

3. Mailed letters to each of the agencies via certified mail.

Here are the addresses the credit bureaus:

Experian
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE 68521
www.experian.com

Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
www.equifax.com

TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
www.transunion.com

I know the grief is more than you can bear, but it is very important to do this and protect yourselves as well as your spouse.

Disclaimer:    Carraque Widows does not endorse or operate as an agent or representative of any legal, professional or clinical service. We take no responsibility for the accuracy of any advice or information communicated through our forums.