I guess when I turned 65 last September I started to get letters, actual letters on lovely stationery (and signed with a rubber stamped signature), from funeral homes and crematoriums. I had no idea there were so many crematoriums around here. Kinda creepy. We have everything written down and our lawyer has all of it along with our wills. From the "arrangements" to the music (no sad or hymns thank you). There's nothing else that needs done. Seeing as I am an organ dinir, there won't be much left of me to deal with!

As for the AARP, I remember getting those. I was averaging one a week. Each week's AARP packet, it was thicker than a letter, told me that, as a member, I would have premium offers like discounts for hotels, rental cars, and many other offers. Each packet offered a different freebie that they will send when they receive your paid membership. The freebies will have "AARP" emblazoned on them somewhere. I remember them offering a nylon duffle bag, a Jitterbug flip phone (you had to buy the service), an insulated trunk organizer, and a stadium blanket. You pay $15 - $20 for a membership, for a free gift that isn't worth what the membership costs. I contacted them through the phone number they showed. I asked the person who answered to please stop sending the letters. And... I kept getting them. Then they stopped for a month and they started again. I decided to write them an email. (My husband has kept a copy of it!)

"I have read through the information in the packet you sent me, but I'm not interested in being one of your voting block members. Also, for a non-profit, you ask your members for a lot of donations. I am also uninterested in being a constant stream of funds for your many projects you feel would be advantageous to the over 50 crowd. Thank you."

The email was ignored as I never received an answer to it. I had enough. I sent a change of address to General Delivery at a post office Chesapeake, not a post office in Virginia Beach. It took another month, but they stopped! I don't know if it was the COA or my email had finally got through to someone, all I know is they stopped. Hopefully, it will be easier to stop the letters from the funeral homes & crematoriums.