Planning A Funeral For Yourself

This past year I decided to plan my own funeral. Okay, I know it sounds a little morbid but I am doing it for a few reasons. The main reason is because, I don't want my family to be burdened with the incredible stress of having to figure out what I would want. By me planning my funeral ahead of time, they will know what I want so there is no question about it.

To me, planning my own funeral arrangements comes naturally. I like to be in charge and let people know what I want and let's face it, death is just a natural phase of life. Why not plan it?

My second reason for planning my funeral is because I want to take as much stress off of my family as possible. If they know what I want it should make it much easier for them and hopefully alleviate a lot of extra stress.

My husband thinks it is really creepy that I would want to plan a funeral for myself but I don't care. We are just different people. As a matter a fact, he refuses to tell me what his wishes are. I've asked him if he would like a traditional Jewish funeral and be buried or would he prefer to be cremated like me. My husband, "the comic" always has the same answer for me, "Just put me in a wood chipper". I don't think he is funny at all.

So in other words, if he goes first I get to be stressed out trying to figure out what he would have wanted. So I guess the kids and I will cross that bridge if and when we do.

It is sort of unfair to those left behind who don't know what someones final wishes are, which brings me back to my reason for doing this. I don't want my family to be stressed out in not knowing my needs.

• I want my family to have a Birthday Cake for my funeral. I know they will be sad and miss me and mourn my death, but I want them to feel like it is a celebration. I will be reborn on the other side and I want them to know it is okay to party a little bit. If they want, they can make my favorite cake (dark chocolate with cream cheese Icing).
• I also want to be cremated. Not just because cremation is more cost effective, but I just don't like the idea of my body being in a box under the earth. I guess I shouldn't care because I will no longer be in my body. But if I had a choice, I would choose cremation. It is up to my husband and kids to do with my ashes what they want. They can bury them or put them in my flower garden or keep them in an urn. It is up to them.
  
• Don't do the big religious service in a church or at a funeral parlor. Just invite my friends over for Birthday cake and have an intimate get together at home. If people want to say a few words they can. Each person deals with grief their own way. I don't want there to be any pressure on anyone.
• And of course My husband and I have planned ahead and each have a life insurance policy as well.

It's like this, if you want it done the way you want, do it yourself. And I don't mean that to sound harsh but it you want it done a certain way, you may as well do it yourself.

I also think that by planning my own funeral or memorial service, I am letting my family know that I am still here with them in spirit and I will never leave them.