Ever Thought About Your Own Funeral?

[Sunfish McCaul]

I know this is a bit... gothic...
But I was wondering how many people out there have ever thought about their own memorial service. Y'know... will it be big or small, a celebration or solemn ceremony, how big a part will your beliefs play in the service, and what you want your epitaph to be (if you're getting buried) and all those other neat little details.
I've thought about this from time to time... (I've got a list of songs I want played, for instance). Am I barking mad, or are there others who have considered this at some point in their lives?
I'm opting for "barking mad" at this point, personally.

[Azura's_Heir]

I wouldn't say your mad. Perhaps just a little different. Most people tend to shy away from contemplating their own deaths. I have thought about what I would like done for my own funeral but never really seriously. Mostly because almost any plans I amke now will probably not stay the same by the time I die. (I am hoping to be around for quite a bit longer. But who knows?)

[Mercedes]

No, I've thought of this a few times. I don't really have any specifics, but I'd like a small service, & I'd want to be cremated. Seeing as how I'm no specific religion, I don't see the need for any religious service; it wouldn't fit with me anyway.

[roz]

I don't think it's that strange. It's not the sort of thing that comes up in normal conversation but that doesn't mean that it isn't something we think about.

For example I know what hymns my mother wants played at her funeral. I am not sure how it came up but it did. And I am sure that I have mentioned to her that I want to be cremated...

Roz.

[mevam]

I've thought about mine before, and I'm thinking I'd have a fair bit of a crowd there, mostly consisting of acquaintances and old friends of mine. I think I'd want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown into the ocean, that way I have no risk of ever being brought to life by some crazed cloning scientists in the future. Sounds sci-fi, but you never know.

[Queen of Wise]

I havn't really given it much thought, but I know that sooner or later, its going to happen eventually. As for the secifics of it, I may sound harsh, but as long as my family and loved ones are there, I dont care how fancy it is or if its just a small service.

[Sunfish McCaul]

Some interesting responses...
After I die, I'm thinking of having a barbecue to celebrate my life.

[Morgoth]

One thing I've told the world is that I won't have religion present at my funeral. None of it, absolutely not. The absence of faith at my funeral should reflect my life. They can do what they want otherwise.

[Sweetie]

I don't really want a funeral. I just want to be cremated and dumped somewhere.

[AcrylicDrama]

I agree with Sweetie. I think the whole "funeral" concept is incredibly unnecessary. People are transitory, and everyone dies. I don't think it's important to acknowledge it every time it happens. Does that even make sense...?

[jo schmo]

those who fear death are not ready to live, also as hagrid said "What's comin' will come, an' we'll meet it when it does."

[midnightmoon]

;) ;) I always think about my own funeral. Like what song would you have at your funeral. I would have "Changes" by David Bowie and "Happy Together" by the Turtles. It's not weird to think about your funeral. :cool:

[jo schmo]

my dad wants us to play "spirit in the sky" by some one-hit wonder

[Sunfish McCaul]

Midnightmoon, those are great songs... I like that they're happy. I was thinking about "Hello, Goodbye" for my funeral/memorial service. It goes well with my belief in reincarnation.

[thinkpink38]

Wow, you guys have your funerals planned out, why?! I've never really thought about this, but if I were to do something I would probably make it as relegious as possible. Certainly the presence of the quran (i'm musilm), and I geuss just the proper funeral way. :huh:

[dumbleedore]

I know how I want my funeral- I've known for years. I have a list of songs I want played and I just want a graveside service- no religion, just people talking about me and great music. And a party afterwards.

[SilentEcho]

The only thing I've thought about for my funeral so far is that I want them to play "Amazing Grace" since it's one of my favorite songs in church.

[periwinkle-blue]

In the event of my death and all towards burial procession (if.. I am lucky enough to have something to be buried), I would hope that nothing out of ordinary would happen. That's all. I would be really disturbed if any events during my burial would be something of a outrageous gossip people would whispered about weeks after they've been there. I guess I'm really being weird for this after-death's paranoia.

[Tane]

I don't want to be anywhere near a church, graveyards creep me out and well I don't fancy cremation so really I have not got a clue where or how my funeral will be like. Are sea burials still allowed, that way there could be a huge ocean party or something, well maybe not huge as I will probably have about 2 people I know left when I die I reckon and even then I think that might be expecting too much actually.

[Wab]

Have many plans including having "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" played as the last song.

And after I'm cremated I want some of my ashes put in a Mr Potatohead so I can still go visiting and parties.

[Bouncing_Ferret]

Have many plans including having "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" played as the last song.

Aye, I'm quite keen on that idea as well. I'm not sure, a Monty Python Medley would perhaps be the best for my funeral. Also on my list are 'Ground Control to Major Tom' and 'Ferry Cross the Mersey'. Also, if I was cremated, I'd have my ashes thrown about the Harrods Food Hall! :D

Seriously... As long as I'm buried, or at least end up as topsoil, in England, I'll be happy.

[FLYBUYF1]

If im cremated Ill have 'burn baby burn' playing as the proceeds end and my coffin goes off to the furnace.

if im buried Ill have '***** town' by machine gun felatio played when the coffin is lowered.

Black humour is the best.

[FlyingPhoenix]

If I ever thought about my funeral I did imagine it always on a rainy day, just a few figures there if any one at all. A borring Pastor standing there telling people halftruths and lies about my life and my person, a few prayers and that is, end of story.

Will I ever plan my funeral? Maybe, maybe not its at least not on my to do list.

[Sirk Rolyat]

I dont think anyone will be at mine :upset:

[Scarlet Tears]

Originally posted by FlyBuyF1
If im cremated Ill have 'burn baby burn' playing as the proceeds end and my coffin goes off to the furnace.

:lol: That sounds like something my dad would do!

I've thought about my funeral before, and I've always imagined it as a more traditional one, with the usual gathering of friends and family. I know that I definitely want "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day played. As much as I'd like to have some witty epitaph on my tombstone, I think I'll probably choose to be cremated and have my ashes scattered somewhere special. There is this company called LifeGem that can take carbon from ashes and turn them into a diamond, which I think would be pretty awesome. However, they can only make them yellow or orange, so hopefully by the time I die they will be able to make them red, or perhaps blue.

[Bouncing_Ferret]

As much as I'd like to have some witty epitaph on my tombstone, I think I'll probably choose to be cremated and have my ashes scattered somewhere special.

Yeah, I've got the same problem - I can't think of anything clever enough. I don't want some kid reading my epitaph fifty years after I've died and thinking what an absolute ****** I must have been. If only I could nick Spike Milligan's - 'I told you I was ill'. :D

[Mundungus Fletc]

Personally I don't think of funerals as being for the dead person - they're for the survivors. I'm of an age to have been to lots and I've never forund a cremation a satisfying end. It's especially awful when the curtains close hiding the coffin. (I'm the sort of person who wants to shout 'encore encore.'

Equally distasteful is a minister saying something about someone they've never met - it would be better if they said nothing.

And yes I have thought about my own and left instructions including a direction that after the service all the people there should get utterly legless at my expense

[starxgazer]

Yes, I have thought about my own funeral. I've thought about who would be their, and who wouldn't. Also how big it would be. I've also thought about wheather I'm getting cremated or burried. But, I've only though about it a couple times, and I don't obsess over it. I'd rather think about now, then when I'm dead.

I went to my grandmothers funeral about a week ago, and that got me thinking about it yet again. Well, yeah, I want to get cremated, but I want to be an organ donor. So, I dunno.

[HarryPotter]

I want it to be simple and short... I don't want flowers, but remaining on the memories of people as a good person...

Maybe my epitaph would say... "I'll be right back!" :p

[Kirsten]

my dad wants us to play "spirit in the sky" by some one-hit wonder
Norman Greenbaum or Dr and the Medics. They both had hits with it.

When I bought my flat, I made a will, and drew up instructions for my funeral. I've said I want a humanist service, not a religious one, and I would prefer a woodland burial or other eco-friendly funeral in a biodegradable coffin. I want the cheapest coffin - I don't see the point in spending hundreds or thousands of pounds on a coffin. And I have left instructions for the songs I want played - These Are The Days Of Our Lives by Queen, You've Got A Friend by Carole King, and as people are leaving, Abba's Dancing Queen.

[Freak of nature]

I want simple burial. And elegant black stone above me...and if someone would want to something written on it about me...I want it to be real,even if it was that 'I hated her' or 'just wanted to make sure she's gone'. I can't stand people whos is superficial. But back to the topic. In my burial I want that Abney Park's 'The Root of All Evil' is played. Just like Alice Cooper and Metallica. Maybe my 'friends doesn't like it but it's my burial...right? I want only the closest friends and family to be there. And I like black roses so if someone would be so kind that gets some for me. Just imagine how they would look like with white liles and bloodred roses. Just beautiful. And mahogany coffin...black velvet in it.

[Wab]

Can't remember which one but a great comic book artist was cremated and had his ashes mixed into the inks of a very special limited edition.

[Gandalf]

In my funeral I'd want the "Imperial March" from Star Wars being played in full blast. It's sweet hearing it loud. Then I'd like to have some bagpipers (my favourite musical instrument) to lead my coffin to its burial location. Where I don't know.

I'd never choose cremation. I feel awkward thinking about my body being burned away. And maybe knowing that my father was cremated isn't very nice either. I'd have a proper burial any day. That way I can come back as either a) a Vampire, b) a Zombie or c) being reserected (sp?). Maybe I might do some heroic deed in the future and the future generations would like me back again ??

[Kirsten]

If I ever get married, I want the Imperial March played as I walk down the aisle. But I think the chances of you being a vampire or zombie are pretty slim, seeing as they aren't real.

[KWIT]

I haven't really thought about this much. I don't know whether I want to buried or cremated, and I have no particular theories about what happens after death so I can't base ideas on such beliefs. I'm not sure what I'd want.

However, music wise, I'd be very angry if somebody decided to play a load of songs that they thought 'suited the occasion' but I'd either never heard or hated.

I think I'd like 'Funeral For A Friend' by Elton John. I consider it to be a very powerful piece of music.

Thinking about it, I'd never be able to choice a songlist. It's too hard. Maybe I'd just like somebody to switch on a cd with every song I'd ever liked to play over and over. That would make a long service.

I suppose, when it comes down to it, I don't mind whatever. I tend to believe that ultimately, nothing comes after death. No feelings, no awareness, no being. And if that is the case I can be cremated, buried, donated to medical science.. And I'd be indifferent.

I'd like to imagine that my funeral wouldn't be an empty event. I wouldn't want some priest I'd never met drawling the usual spiel about being a great friend, son and brother who would be sorely missed. Seems incredibly impersonal.. and what's the point in a funeral if it doesn't apply to you?

[Benzo]

I want to die at home, I want to be put in a very simple coffin I would have built myself. I want to be exposed at my place, probably in the big garage and be buried where my chalet is, in the woods with a place for my love beside me. I would like to have my children saying a few christian prayers and my Muslim friends to pray Allah.

That is very old fashion and I think it would be illegal. I will have to check.

[Firebolt_2007]

I've thought about it. You're not mad.:p Death is a part of life and you have to consider it sometime.
I want my service to be a celebration of my life rather than a depressing cry orgy. I want all the people I was closest to to be there. I want them to talk about all the great things we used to do and just nice stories like that. I want the people who loved me to think of my death as an end to my suffering and my old age and that I'm on a higher plain looking down at them. I want to be cremated because in my opinion the ritual of burial is really creepy, kind of gross, and cruel. The body the soul was in needs to be free. I have a list of songs I want played as well. The the actual songs might change by the time i'm an old lady. lol. And I plan to put 3000 dollars away right before I die so my loved ones can have a big wild party in my honor.:p I want people to remember me as very much alive as a spirit and I want to be remembered as how I was during my life on Earth, not in death. Death is only an end to suffering, our loved ones look down on us. I want to people around me to know that.

[marty7]

my husband & I decided to be cremated when the time comes.

[Amadeus]

Hmm.. Is 17 too early to be thinking about funerals? :scared:
Anyway, I do not wish to be buried.. I'd rather be cremated..
I think it will be a traditional Christian funeral...
I wish to die at home while sleeping, rather than at hospital ER with 1000 IVs punched through my arms.
I do not want my funeral to be sobfest... I mean, everyone dies at some point of their life..
I will consent organ donation beforehand so I can be of some help for others.

[Sunfish McCaul]

It's never too early to be thinking about funerals! With overpopulation the way it is, do you realize how hard it'll be to find a good plot eighty years down the road? :D

[Kimmetje]

Scary question, but I did think about it. Probably I'll be burried, I wouldn't want to be burned (you will be burned when your dead even so, but...).

I had a paper on death and in Indonesia they burn people alive as sacrifices to the gods, now I don't want that!

[Ms Weasley]

With overpopulation the way it is, do you realize how hard it'll be to find a good plot eighty years down the road? :rotfl:

I've given it lots of thought. Strangely enough, I get panic attacks when I think about dying (really think about it, not just joke about it), but thinking about my own funeral is strangely... pacifying.
I think it's a pity I won't be there. The one moment when no one even dares to think bad things about you, and you can't be there. That's just wrong.

I definitely want to be buried, and I'll burn enough in hell as it is. When my soul will burn I don't want my body to burn as well. :)

I've got lots of songs I'd like played, but I always seem to forget which ones they are. There was one from Aretha Franklin, and 'Bring him home' from Les Mis. I've already forgotten the rest...

*goes off to iron hands*

In any case, I'd like there to be a church service, but I'd like the priest to do nothing but lead the prayers. I don't know any priest, and there's no priest out there who knows me, so why should they talk about me.

Now, am I morbid to imagine my mother's funeral? (She's 49)

[Wab]

I want to die at home, I want to be put in a very simple coffin I would have built myself. I want to be exposed at my place, probably in the big garage and be buried where my chalet is, in the woods with a place for my love beside me. I would like to have my children saying a few christian prayers and my Muslim friends to pray Allah.

That is very old fashion and I think it would be illegal. I will have to check.

I think most health authorities have a thing about backyard burial.

[Danluver182]

I hate thinking about death. It scared me. It's very uncomforating to think about so usually i just shy away from the subject.lol.

[DragonBlk17]

I hate thinking about death. It scared me. It's very uncomforating to think about so usually i just shy away from the subject.lol.

I stay away from the subject too. If I think about it at night, I can't go to sleep. But what I'm worried about is that someone I love will die soon. I think about that all the time.

[Ares'Fury]

I hope I'm gonna be a good enough soldier to be buried at Arlington. Thats about the only place I'd wanna be buried.

[Annabelle Black]

When I was younger I wanted a big funeral with my family around my casket crying and wailing. I wanted to be placed in a mauselum or, at the very least, have an elaborate, gaudy headstone. Now I just want my family to toss me in the grave as soon as possible. I've instructed my husband to get the cheapest casket possible and not even bother with a headstone. 100 years after I'm gone no one is going to care who I was anyway, why waste the money. I would like my cell phone to be buried with me just in case! :)

[busy91]

Wow there are some morbid topics on this board! :huh:
And I plan to answer every last one.

Of course. As corny as it sounds, I would like them to play Stairway to Heaven at my funeral. It was the first song I ever learned and loved and it is appropriate I think.

I'd say I wouldn't want people to be sad I would want them to celebrate, have a party and such, but I know my mom (who has already lost a child) would be a mess and my kids would be a mess.

So my 'dream' funeral would never happen.

Oh and BTW....burn and scatter, burn and scatter. Don't want to take up any more space on this earth.

[accioinsight7]

I've thought about how I would like my body disposed of, but not really of a ceremony surrounding it.

[Emma]

I've had it planned out with a friend for awhile now.

[Lepus]

I have not only planned my own funeral, but, at the age of 12 my brother and I went on a loooooooooong walk, and planned what we would do when my parent's died... accidently... in a car crash... at the same time. OK it's a bit weird, but my parents have a kick back side insurence plan, so we might as well. We've planned out the funerals, where we would go, what kind of cash we would get, how we spilt the stuff in our house right now, right down to the books!! Let's just say my parent's got a bit scared going to sleep tht night, because we were sort of... let's just say... excited about it? It wasn't that we wanted our parent's to die or anything, but I have this thing where I HAVE to obbsess over something, nomally a guy :p But since I had nothing, one day it was just like "Their going to die one day, and what if it's today?". And then I obbsesed over my funeral which is where I started at.

[ivancarli]

let's stop thinking about that!
when we are dead, we won't be able to chose what we want, the relatives will do whatever they want.
it's sad.....

[Sunfish McCaul]

I've never been scared of death. It's very strange. I don't find the thought sad either. It's definitely hard for those who are left behind, but I think death itself wouldn't be all that bad. One of my relatives who died said it was sort of like floating down a river. I don't want to die of course... I've got plans.
And not just funeral plans either. :D

[Ava]

I had this discussion with my younger sister a while back .She said when she dies, she wants to be cremated and have her ashes scattered on the ocean on a windy day. That way the ashes would get into all of our eyes and we won't forget her. :lol:

Anyway. I'm a simple person with very simple things to make me happy. Even in death I think.
So I just simply want my family and friends to be in my short Christian funeral.
I think peaceful instrumentals would play in the background. It's too hard to imagine playing a happy song when everybody's crying and all, even if you don't want them to. Tears are just normal I guess.
I'd have my family give out my books and art to my friends and the still useful things (clothes and stuff) to donations. No point leaving them around the house anyway. :agree:

[crookshanks1177]

I want to be cremated. I prefer not to have a ceremony but I don't think my family and friends would let that slide. So hopefully they celebrate because I do not want them to be sad. If a song is played I want it to be "Another One Bites the Dust". That may sound bad but for some reason most funerals I had ever left when I get into the car and leave and turn on the radio that song is playing. Coincidence? Maybe. I don't know. But if a song is played at my funeral I want that one played. I wouldn't choose any other.

[HPviolinist85]

I actually had to bury my aunt whom I was very close to this weekend. It was the hardest thing for me to do EVER. It's really weird seeing someone you're so close to and love so much lying in a coffin, and that only makes you think that one day, it's going to be you and you wonder how many people are going to be there, who will send flowers, who will cry, who won't, etc. It's such a scary thought.

[gymmuggle]

i actaully think about my funeral allll the time...daily. I see myself in a pure white coffin...i can see all the people invited standing around. a scary thought, but in my life, its a daily thing to almost die...

[genesis]

I have never thought about my own funeral, but sometimes, my parents talk about their potential funeral. They have already told me what they want. They don't want us to spend a lot of money. They have stated that we should buy the cheapest coffin. In fact, as the years go on, they might prepay some of the items. They have already bought their funeral plots and once showed them to me.

[Rosie Cotton]

To tell you the truth, no. I think that it is a little...macabre...morbid?

I mean it was sort of funny in Tom Sawyer, but I mean I don't really want to think about it.

I do know that I do NOT want to be cremated. I don't know, it just seems a little...irreverant to me? It just seems, wrong. I don't know why, and there are no moral values connected with it or anything, I just don't like the idea.

[Island Jack]

Strangely enough, I have thought about it, have my wills prepared and all. My only special request is that The Who's "The Kids Are All Right" be played if there is a funeral for me. As for my body, I follow my father's advice. Do what you want with it, because that's probably all I'll have to leave anybody. Throw it in a ditch on the side of the road. I probably won't care since I'll be dead."

[GryffndorBeater]

Three words: champagne colored hearse.

[HogwartsChaplain]

Yeah, I'm a pastor, so I think about funerals. Lots of options. Communion. Good music; 4+part harmony. "Abide with Me." Perhaps "Go, My Children, with My Blessing."

For me, the big question is: where would I want to be buried? No decisions on that one yet. Hopefully none needed in the near future.

But this is my 45th birthday, so I'm probably at least half-way to my funeral. :angel:

[thethirdman]

I know how I want my memorial service to be. I want a big shindig full of laughter and stories of all my craziness with a few sappy moments just for good measure. I hope someone fills a casket with ice and uses it to chill beer...preferibly not the one I'm in. But either way I'd laugh...were I not dead and all.

I'd just rather people not focus on my death. I hope to leave people with enough happy memories that they'll have something to take their minds of my death.

[LunaGoldstein]

When I die, I hope people say about me; "That guy sure owed me alot of money"
-Jack Handey, "Deep Thoughts" :rotfl:

I've always liked the idea of inviting the people who tormented me as a kid to view my casket, and then have my body be wired to jolt open my eyes or something.

In all seriousness, I do hope it will be a rememberance of all the good and I'll have had enough warning time before my death to write something funny everyone will read. It would be cool if my death was something weird and tragic/funny, like spontanious comubstion and... I just can't be serious about this at all.

[Norbertha]

I've always liked the idea of inviting the people who tormented me as a kid to view my casket, and then have my body be wired to jolt open my eyes or something.

:rotfl: :rotfl: That's so much more funny that Moaning Myrtle coming back as a ghost to haunt Olive Hornby!

Luna, are you sure your surname isn't Addams? ;)

[Amina]

I have thought about this a bit - I remember having a conversation with my mum about our funerals after my grandad died.

We both agreed that we will forbid black and tears! I don't want people to mourn my passing but, hopefully, celebrate my life. I want to be cremated, and if possible, not a relgious ceremony - though I don't know if that's possible - and my ashes scattered at sea in Bermuda where I grew up. I want to be a part of something in death that I loved in life.

[LunaGoldstein]

:rotfl: :rotfl: That's so much more funny that Moaning Myrtle coming back as a ghost to haunt Olive Hornby!

Luna, are you sure your surname isn't Addams? ;)


HA!:) I wish:-) *checks skin* nah I'm too tan.

[Sunfish McCaul]

I've always liked the idea of inviting the people who tormented me as a kid to view my casket, and then have my body be wired to jolt open my eyes or something.
That is great. Except I'd want my body wired to actually sit up as well.

[ZoeBlaize]

I've had a legal living will since I was ten, and have recently been working on my funeral plans.

I definitely want to be cremated, but I want some of the ashes to be turned into a diamond. I know most (if not all) of my relatives think that would be too morbid to want to wear it, but I still would want it. Can you just imagine your body spending the rest of eternity as an embodiment of beauty? I would want the rest of the ashes scattered in a grove of cherry trees in Kyoto. If that weren't possible, I would want them scattered in the groves in D.C.

In my pre-cremation viewing, I would want there to be soft music from the Roman Catholic Mass to be playing. I'm not Catholic by any stretch of the imagination, but I think it's just the most soothing music in the world. Afterward, I would want lots of happy music and a party-type thing. I'm not the type of person who mopes (though I've got plenty to mope about), so I wouldn't want them to be depressed. I would like my best friend Ferris to play "Time of Your Life", my friend Rachel to play "Pianoman" on the piano, and my friend Beth to sing whatever the hell she wants to sing.

I'm not a very "morbid" person, per se, I just like being prepared.

- Zoe (who is busily making songlists for after the viewing)

[ArtemisiaDax]

Hmm...
Well, my family has a rather odd way of doing death (my grandfather was cremated and all of his friends in this extremely small town had a party at the local bar, drank, and told stories about him. He would have loved it.) My grandmother's sister got a tombstone featuring a finger making an obscene gesture and the words "Those who knew her will see this and laugh; she doesn't care about those who don't."

As for myself, I don't think that I want to be pumped full of embalming fluid (it can cause an explosive buildup of gases as the body decomposes, something that I learned last year in a class I took about death and burial). Take my organs out and donate them, then have the viewing the same day I die, or the day after. I want to wear something simple, and nothing that someone else wants (i.e. jewelry, etc. I'd rather have my stuff enjoyed by other people.)

I'd rather like Sarah McLachlan's recording of "The Prayer of St. Francis" to play; that prayer is one of my favorites. Also, "Into the West," from Return of the King.

I'd also like inscribed somewhere (be it a tombstone or a prayer card, or just read aloud at the funeral) the following quotes:
"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory. Farewell!" (It's from LotR, Appendix A, and has always been perhaps my favorite quote from that book.)
as well as
"To the well-organized mind, death is just the next great adventure."

Perhaps rose petals in the casket, but otherwise, donations to some worthy cause in lieu of flowers.

That's all I can think of. After all, once I'm dead, I can let everyone plan the rest. I'm really not going to care what they do with my body afterwards.

[morgiana]

I don't want a funeral. Cremate me and have a party with the rest of the money you would have spent on a funeral.

[Holly is Short]

I don't want a funeral. Cremate me and have a party with the rest of the money you would have spent on a funeral.


This is kinda morbid but thats what I would want too! :lol:

I don't want people to be upset...just forget about me...I'm dead...:rotfl: Thats sick...