DR Cillaliz, when my father died, someone offered to stay at the house during the funeral. She said that people will read the obits and then break in when they know the house is empty during the funeral. Maybe you might offer to housesit, if you don't plan on attending the funeral and related services.
Mrs. W, one of 6 children who grew up in my tiny house (built in '23) married and moved to the house next door. We had a family across the street who had 3 sons who were scumbag white trash. One was an alcoholic, one was a crack addict and the third had some other drug problem. He also raped his sister and she had a child by him. They were always in and out of jail and stole things from most of my neighbors, and broke into my house twice.
Mrs. W was always nice to the crack addict, Eddie, and let him do yard work for her. (This is how they would usually case your house, which is why it's important to have someone you trust do your yardwork!) After she died, a lot of family was coming in and out of the house to prepare for the funeral. Eddie snuck in amidst all the people, went down to her basement and unlocked the window. Then, while the funeral was going on (we were at the funeral, too) Eddie broke in and stole her tv and other things he could sell/pawn. Fortunately, the guy who bought the TV tried to pawn it and the serial number registered as stolen (somehow this has never happened when i've been robbed!) and when questioned, the guy who had bought the TV told the police where he'd gotten it and Eddie did a little more jail time.
So, that's a great idea to house sit, and you can tell them that this happened to the neighbor of someone you know.
