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Have You Thought About Your Own
Funeral?
By Linda A. Perry
Funeral! You say the word and people either cringe or
break down in tears or say, shhhh. No one likes to talk
about funerals. Even at funerals people talk about other
things, about family, about who got bigger and how long
they have not seen each other. Once in a while someone
mentions the person who has died. Some funeral memorial
ceremonies or wakes are like small parties. Others are
like wailing contests full of sobbing people, people
clutching each other and hugging and crying. Most times,
the crying is for the people who are still alive. They
are the ones who miss the person who has passed on, and
they are the ones who experience the pain, the loss --
if the deceased was liked or loved. Once in a while you
will see a happy funeral ceremony. Happy? Yes, happy is
the word, even more so, joyful. Those who are joyful at
a funeral are those who truly know and believe in Heaven
and know their loved ones went to Heaven the very
instant that they died from this world.
So, funerals are generally the un-talked about item.
Everyone is afraid of it. Even I, an experience writer,
hesitated writing this article. You know the
superstitions and all and then I realized, hey, wait, I
am not superstitious at all. So here is the article.
What would my own funeral be like? (Well, hopefully that
will not happen for quite some time, for many, many
years as I plan to have many more happy and joyful years
on earth. And though I am not in complete control of my
destiny or fate, I will do my best humanly possible to
stay alive, well and healthy. So, now that is out in the
open, I will discuss the actual funeral and memorial
services as I would like to have it.
When I die, I want my closest relatives and friends to
be happy for me, yes to be joyful for me. Because at the
moment of my death, my wings are taking me skyward
faster than you can blink your eyes. And so, since I
plan to be joyful and happy, I would hope that everyone
else would also. (Ha ha, I suppose some of the strangers
or other acquaintances might be happy just because I
will stop writing here, but still, hey happy is a good
thing).
I have a dress all ready. I can see the shocked looks
already on your faces as I said the word dress, but hey,
I have one favorite dress. Haha, just kidding. A pair of
jeans and a shirt will be just fine. After all, I need
to be comfortable correct? Actually sometimes I think
about the prospect of cremation. I have been to two
cremation events, one a wake and one a memorial --weeks
after a wake. And I kind of like the way these were
handled. No one staring at you or needing to or having
to stare at the body. (After all, I will be in Heaven,
remember?). And with one of the ceremonies, there were
photographs all around the room, photos of the happy
times, fun times and all the lifetimes in between. These
events were interesting, thorough and thoughtful and
good memorials to those people who had passed away.
So, got the dress down, and possibly photographs all
around. I think that idea is cool. And now, what about
music? I would love to have the music of these songs, I
Hope You Dance, It Is Well, and of course Amazing Grace,
but last but not least, as the memorial begins and is
over at the end, I would love to play that song called,
I'll Fly Away. That is a most beautiful song and quite
appropriate and applicable for a funeral.
Yes, I know you are just getting into this article now
so it is time that I end the article and ask you to read
the rest of it in the next article posted about the same
topic. I will pick up here where I left off. And I hope
you leave some comments there also.
Published author, creator of genuine, unique television
shows that air on Time Warner and on Cablevision in New
York City. A warm-hearted individual who gives a voice
to those who have been silent all along. This author
produces television shows about almost all topics that
help people in their lives. Many of the shows are
entertainment; some are information and resources and
still others are festivals, fiestas, and community
events that bring all people together in one place in
the city or in the country. |
