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What I Want People To Say About Me When I’m Gone
Inevitable Part of Life

Funerals
It seems like a morbid, fatalistic thought, I know, but I gave given thought to my funeral. Having attended the funerals for my father, my aunt and my father-in-law, and the wake that followed, I know how people can talk about the things they remember most about the person who has passed. Material things are not what people usually talk about at a funeral. They usually talk about what kind of family person they were, how many friends and loved ones he/she is leaving behind and whether or not he or she will be missed. The things you remember about someone who has passed is usually time spent with them and the relationship you had with them.
One day not too long ago, my children were joking with me about what they would be saying about me at my funeral. They had many embarrassing stories and ribbed me about things they knew I didn’t want said about me. We all laughed and had a good time. Later I got to thinking: what would I like people to really say about me when I’m gone? Maybe I should say what would I NOT like people to say about me when I’m gone.
Last Rest

I don’t want people to say I was selfish.
Sure I have selfish moments, like anyone, but I try to think of others before myself. Still I know I don’t always succeed. I think I would like to hear that people close to me thought of me as selfless.
Who hasn’t had times when you are asked to do something outside your comfort zone? Like Bilbo Baggins, I say adventures make one late for supper, and that’s not comfortable. I would rather not leave my comfy bed and stay a week with a sick family member, or drive hundreds of miles to be at the hospital for a friend, but those are things we should be willing to do for the people we love. I hope I have ignored my discomfort levels and done things for people enough to be thought of kindly when I pass.
Warm Family

I don’t want people to say I was cold.
Like being selfish, I know I haven’t always been the warmest or friendliest person, but I certainly have tried to be. I have had a few friends that really can try a person’s patience and some folks have asked me why I put up with this person or that person. I think it is because I want people to put up with me. If I show grace wherever I go, maybe I will be worthy of some back when I am older and less than friendly.
Dean Martin
Your Funeral
Do you expect some bad things to be said about you at your funeral?
Sayings about death
If we have been pleased with life, we should not be displeased with death, since it comes from the hand of the same master.
Michelangelo
Our care should not be to have lived long as to have lived enough.
Seneca
Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there.
What you choose to do with them is up to you.
Richard Bach
Hateful

I don’t want people to say that I was hateful.
When I love, I love deeply and faithfully, even people who prove they are unworthy of that devotion. I have very few really close friends, but those who are know I care about them. I have had my pet issues, but I think I have tried to separate the person from the issue or belief system. I know a few bigots, some in my own family. I really hate bigotry and racism, but I don’t want to be someone who hates the person that is acting that way. I hope I have been someone who is loving, even to the unlovely.
Taps

More Sayings about Death
Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.
Eskimo legend
Say not in grief: "He is no more", but live in thankfulness that he was.
Hebrew Proverb
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
Soren Kierkegaard
I look at life as a gift of God. Now that he wants it back, I have no right to complain.
Joyce Cary
When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.
Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.
Cherokee Expression
Death--the last sleep? No, the final awakening.
Walter Scott
Time and money

I don’t want people to say I was stingy.
Sure I have been frugal; ask my children. But stingy is someone who won’t share even when they have it to share. I hope people see me as someone who is likely to give and give generously if it is at all earthly possible. I’ve had some selfish, stingy moments when I think of how hard I’ve worked for what I’ve got, but those are short moments and I try never to indulge them. I want to be a generous, giving person always.
Where we all eventually go.

More Sayings About Death
The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
George S. Patton, Jr.
That which does not kill me makes me stronger.
Friedrich Nietzsche
It requires more courage to suffer than to die.
Napoleon Bonaparte
People living deeply have no fear of death.
Anais Nin
My Great Aunt Paulou's Memorial
Company

Approachable

I don’t want people to say I was unapproachable.
This one is one of the hardest for me. I do like to be somewhat of a hermit and tend to close myself off, especially when I am being creative and artistic. But when I’m needed I try to be available. My husband said today that I masked it well when he called me for the 10th time to come help him, interrupting me from a creative project I was in the middle of. He said he didn’t notice that I was slightly annoyed. He’s sweet to me and probably chooses not to notice if I’m irritated. I hope no one ever notices if I am slightly annoyed. Creativity is one thing, but relationships are what last.
Grief
I don’t want people to say I was a gossip.
I have had a few fiascoes when I failed to keep my big mouth shut when small ears were listening. I know there are many times when it is appropriate to talk about a concern, but I have fallen prey to talking out of turn about things and people that didn’t concern me and I am ashamed of those times. I hope as I get older that I have been better and keeping a watch before my mouth. It is my sincere hope that my failures are not what people remember most, but those times when I have been faithful and trustworthy with secrets.
What do you think?
I figure if I manage to keep people from saying or even thinking any of these things about me, then I have lived a good life. I will be very happy.
What do you think?

Final comments here
Interesting hub .
I don't really care what people would say about me after I am dead. I don't really care what they say about me while I am still alive so no point in worrying what they say after my death. Of course if I make enough money I will leave all my money and wealth only to those people who would never talk ill about me, ever, after I am gone. One foul word about me and all the money I gave them will have to be returned with interest, that will be the first line in my will :D . If you get my money you have to observe some rules!!!!
Some things only time can heal, but boy can it take a long time! I wish you the best.
Very interesting! Based on your poll it looks like most of us expect positive things to be said about us. Hopefully that is true! It should mean we're making a good impact on the world :)
You are welcome :)
I have also been the black sheep, Paintdrips. I think we have some things in common. You're doing great being yourself. I sometimes worry about what people say or think of me, but I'm getting better. All I can do is keep doing my best, not for them, for me :)
You are an amazing writer. I enjoy your Hubs a lot :) Dawn
Hello PaintDrips,
I loved this Hub from you! This was so original. You know, I never have thought about what people will say about me when I'm gone; but This hub really grabbed me and kept my attention. I loved the Dean Martin song also.
Thanks! DawnM
Hi Denise. Thank you for your valued visit. I like your hub very much, it's meaningful and heartfelt. I took the vote and found myself in the orange part of the pie chart. Like most of us I try to do my best far all.
Graham.
This an excellent hub, not about death, but about life. How should we live so that only nice things are said about us at our funeral. More importantly, maybe people will say nice things to us while we are still alive. And we will say nice things to them. I liked your quotes since I am a collector of quotes and various subjects.
Very interesting reading. I haven't thought much about this subject until now.
As for your poll about "Do you expect some bad things to be said about you at your funeral?" I couldn't answer as I really don't know.
I know my grandchildren will be saying very nice things (I think).
I will be coming back to this article and reading it again, little short of time at the moment.
Hope you have a Happy Prosperous 2015.
This is something I have given thought to as well, having recently experienced the death of my beloved mother-in-law. She was well-known and loved by many. Personally, I am aware of what I consider to be her faults, but these were not mentioned at her funeral. The fallout of her estate afterwards was quite revealing, however, as she had financial issues that were kept hidden and are now having to be dealt with. It has given me cause to consider my own actions, and what I am doing with my life. I don't want people to be surprised when they are settling my estate after I am gone!
Dear PAINTDRIPS,
This is an interesting hub.After watching Fault in Our Stars, I started to think on what would people say about me when I'm lifeless already. Will I organize my own pre-necrological services?Definitely, this is a good idea so that we can still treasure the words from our love ones. But, no one knows our due date.
My view about this is to live life the way we wanted to be remembered.
Thanks for coming up and sharing this interesting piece.
Have a joyful day,
Sweetpikez
Dear PAINTDRIPS,
This is an interesting piece. After watching Fault in Our Stars, I started to think what would people say about me when I'm lifeless already. Will I organize a pre
I want someone whose looking in the casket to say, "Wait a minute! I think he is breathing." (Yeah, I know - an old joke.)
Live your life to the standards you set forth and don't worry about what someone may or may not say after you are gone.
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