A quick tip for meeting the family of a decedent at estate wrap-up time, courtesy of Tricks of the Trade:

If you have to interview a grieving family after a death, a good question to ask is: "Did he have a good sense of humor?"

This will almost always shake the family out of their grief, makingit easier for them to talk to you, and bring up an anecdote that reallyshows the character of the dead person.