My Funeral

Dear Reader,

While death is not an easy topic to talk about, I found that over the years I have decided I didn’t want a traditional funeral. Rather, I want one that’s fun and maybe even someway uplifting – for a somber occasion. I’ve told my wife on occasion what sort of funeral I’d like. And now, I think I’ll share that vision with you. Maybe you’ll want something similar.

Dress Bright and Fun

So for my funeral, I don’t want people wearing black. If they show up that way, it’s okay, but I want to pretty much do the opposite of what a traditional funeral is, or so I think. I’d like for everyone to wear colorful things – red shirts, khaki pants, pink hats, blue suede shoes if you feel like it. Whatever bright and colorful you can wear (without looking like a clown), go on and wear it. Everyday clothes are just fine. Just show up in a bikini. I’m just saying.

The Prelude

The pre-festivities can be as somber as it needs to be, but I would like to set the tone going into the actual ceremony. In this part, I would probably leave it up to my loved ones to decide. Give notice to people who might be coming that this would not be your traditional funeral. That the emphasis would be on the “fun” in the word. I’d like to set the best possible tone upfront.

You could even hire a DJ and/or a comedian to be at the ceremony. If I can see what’s going on, I might need a laugh or two. After all, I just died. lol Probably will be in some post-death therapy class, so I’ll need a break from it. Just don’t have tell jokes at my funeral. Just kidding.

The Ceremony

I’d like the ceremony to go somewhat in the traditional way – with a eulogy, but maybe hit more funny moments than sad ones. The idea behind my funeral is a celebration – one for people who’ve loved me, and even those who hated me. Because if I’m gone, you should be able to celebrate one way or the other.

You can mourn and cry if you must, but let’s try to make this as happy as an occasion as it can be. I do believe I’ll be going to a better place – not just to be with God, but do more work than I ever did, in this lifetime. I just don’t believe we’ll be sitting in a room up there singing “Kum ba hah” all day long. There is (I believe) more after this life than what we can imagine. So why not celebrate the end of one journey and the start of another?

There’s probably a lot more that I’d like to have in the ceremony, but this is the gist of it.

The Wrap Up

Now, here’s where I want the real fun to start. If everything has to be somber, then this must be a big happy send-off.

I want a band to play music. Upbeat, party-ish. “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang has to be played at some point. And you have to have some great food. Make it similar to a wake that you’d find in the south at a black church. Lots of chicken, burgers, potato salad, baked beans, etc. No one should be leaving the wake hungry – unless you’re vegetarian or vegan. If that’s the case, then bring your own food.

For my wake, basically, I want it to be a joyful end to my funeral. You’ve paid your respects, shared some stories, maybe shed a few tears. I just want everyone to leave as happy as I would want to be if I were to attend my own funeral.

Summary/Conclusion

I feel that my funeral will serve as my last statement that I have in this life, so I want to end on a high note.  If you could do that for me, then there’s not much left I’d want from thereon. Just the hope that my friends and loved ones would know that I’ve loved and cared for them as much as I possibly could. And the funeral is a tribute not so much to me, but to you all.

You took my wishes to heart and made my funeral as on point to what I had hoped for. For that, this would be my last “thank you.” I could ever give.

Hopefully, the time of my passing will be a long time from the date of this post, being the 26th of March, 2021. Maybe long enough that I can amend a few ideas in a later post. We’ll see.

Until next time, thanks for reading.