Planning A Funeral For Yourself
I am Planning My Own Funeral
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.
What do you think about Planning your own Funeral?
Do you know anyone who has planned their own funeral?
My Husband Thinks Pre Planning a Funeral is Creepy
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.
My Final Wishes!
Please Celebrate My Life!
- 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.
I Don't Want Someone Else To Plan My Funeral
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.
Recommended Reading
If you are perhaps thinking about planning your own funeral, like I did, then you may find the Book, When the Sun Goes Down: A Serendipitous Guide to Planning Your own Funeral helpful.
When the Sun goes Down: A Serendipitous Guide to Planning Your Own Funeral
Cremation Lockets
- Cremation Lockets
One way for families to memorialize a loved one is by wearing a cremation locket. Cremation lockets that hold ashes, gives the mourner a way to memorialize their loved one.
Do you want to plan your own Funeral?
If so, What do your want? I would love to read your ideas in the comments section.
Comments
As a former cemetery administrator and grief counselor I saw firsthand the absolute relief experienced by families of "pre-planners"! As a result, I authored a 17-page funeral plan workbook to serve as an end-of-life organizational tool. The workbook has 6 sections of checklists to work through. Record vital information necessary at a time of death, cemetery and funeral home arrangements, family history, medical & financial information, location of insurance policies, passwords for security, special requests for music, settings, theme and lots more. I also included an outline to write your own obituary. Available online www.funeralplanworkbook.com Order today and start planning your own funeral/memorial service.
- AUTHOR
Thanks for the comments Hello,hello and Kids-toy-box.
I dont think it is morbid--just good to plan ahead and have the type of send off you would prefer rather than leaving it up to family to decide once you are dead.I havnt made any plans but have made those importnat to me aware that I would like to be cremated rather than buried. Thanks for raising awaress on this often taboo topic for discussion.
It is a great idea and your wrote a brilliant hub about it.
- AUTHOR
@Daniela, Thank you. It was nice of your parents to plan that for you.
@LindaJM, I love Wipe Out! Awesome. I like the dancing idea.
Great plans! I haven't planned my funeral, but I chose a song: Wipe Out, by the Surfaris. I want everyone up dancing. I like the birthday cake idea. That's somewhat more dignified.
My mum and dad took me one day to choose spot for them once they gone,so we organized whole lot for them! I think they did right thing so I will to, and I think this is great idea Wendy! Great Hub!
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