5 Ways You Can Put The Fun In Your Own Funeral
It is not uncommon to plan your own funeral long before you die. It makes sense because it lets you tell your loved ones exactly what you want, and you can pay in advance so your family doesn't have to come up with the money themselves. Some people even go above and beyond the normal funeral arrangements and plan some unusual and personal ways to be remembered by family and friends. Here are some things you can plan in advance for your own funeral.
Take It With You
Many people choose to be buried with a beloved possession. You can add a statement to you will that clearly spells out what you want in your casket with you when you are six feet under. People ask to be buried with all kinds of things. Here are a few.
- ashes of a deceased pet
- a wedding gown, veil or suit
- a preferred beer or wine
- a car, motorcycle or other vehicle
Hire a Band
People often want to make sure that their funerals are a celebration of a life rather than mourning a death. With that in mind, you can book entertainment for your funeral. Hire a marching band to play "When the Saints Go Marching In" or have dancers put on a show. Occasionally the departed will even have strippers at the funeral. You'll want to check with your church or funeral home before planning on that.
Send in the Clowns
Another way to make a positive statement during a difficult time for your loved ones is to make sure that everyone is laughing. One service in Ireland actually offers funeral clowns for hire. If you have a lot of space, throw in a fire eater and trapeze artists and turn your funeral into a fabulous circus.
Throw a Party
As long as you are planning a memorial service, you can take the opportunity to turn the occasion into a party. Rent a space where friends and family can enjoy an activity you love.
- Plan a memorial bowling tournament at your local bowling alley.
- Spring for dinner at a restaurant you love.
- Throw a dance at a local hall featuring your favorite music.
- Arrange to buy a round of drinks at a bar you frequent.
- Send close family members on a memorial cruise or vacation.
Help those who love you remember what you enjoyed in life by arranging to have them try it out for themselves.
Strike a Pose
One recent trend in funerals is to prop the body up in a position that shows the person doing something they enjoyed in life. You can take this a step further and actually write down what you would like to look like at your memorial.
Bodies have been posed riding in a kayak, enjoying a beer, watching sports and on a motorcycle. You can have yourself set up at your memorial service playing the piano, knitting, reading your favorite book or even cooking a special recipe.
Be sure to write down how you'd like to be dressed down to jewelry and shoes. Also provide a picture of yourself with makeup applied the way you want it. You can even go as far as posing for a photo that details what you want at the service.
Your funeral can be more than a time for loved ones to mourn your loss and say goodbye. It can also be a special statement that you make about who you were and how you want to be remembered. You can plan the details of your memorial service or funeral and give those plans to a place or the funeral home of your choice. That way you can leave this world with as much flair as you lived in it.