Originally Posted by
rnorris
I share the sentiments of many others here and offer you my condolences as well.
I don't know if this is your first parental death, but you're discovering one of its immediate consequences is the sheer volume of practical matters that need to be addressed. I'm car light rather that car free, but I know my rate of car trips at least tripled in the weeks following each death- picking up people at airport, funeral arrangements, trips to attorneys, etc.- so give yourself a lot of slack and use the car as you need to to handle this. It's an aberration in your lifestyle, not a permanent change, and things will calm down in time.
Everyone handles these passages differently. In the case of my siblings and I, it was handy to have our parents' cars around for a few weeks, but further along they just became reminders of their deaths and we were glad to have them gone. If it turns out the same for you, the car's attraction may fade in time.
That's pretty much the way it's been going for me too. My dad made things as simple as possible with a pre-paid funeral and a living will, but there are still many details to be handled and errands to be run. Legally, I don't think I can sell the car just yet, but we should have that taken care of soon. My goal is to have the car sold within a month.
You sure do spend time in some crappy places when you have a car. Like Speedways, where the aroma of rancid hot dogs mingles with the fresh gasoline splashed on your clean pants. Like car washes, where you suddenly learn that the driver's window doesn't seal tightly when you're sprayed in the face with "Bugoff" prewash super detergent.