Planning My Own Funeral
When someone asks you how much you love them, you might not usually lead with, “I love you so much, I am preparing my own funeral.”
Sure, I get it. Funerals aren’t typically considered fodder for the type of love-proving dialogue we usually engage in. But you’d be wrong to miss the opportunity here. Let me explain:
Upon your death, your friends and family will be DEEPLY grieving. They will likely be overwhelmed, in a raw emotional state that can make it hard to process decisions quickly. By planning your funeral in advance, you spare them from having to make difficult choices while they’re in a vulnerable state. When loved ones are unsure of your preferences—whether it’s about burial versus cremation, religious versus non-religious services, or even small details like music or readings—it can lead to unfathomable amounts of additional stress. They may feel anxious about whether they are making the “right” decisions or honoring your wishes properly. By pre-planning, you give them clear guidance, which can provide a sense of certainty and comfort during a difficult time. When logistical decisions are taken care of, families and friends have more space to come together to mourn, support each other, and share memories. They can focus on what truly matters: celebrating your life and finding comfort in each other’s presence, rather than being distracted by a multitude of practical tasks. It spares your family and/or your circle of support the additional emotional and mental strain of decision-making in their time of loss, allowing them to focus on the process of their grief.
I’ll talk a little bit more about the specifics that I have planned for my own funeral in a future post. Honestly, I’m kinda sad I’m gonna miss it cuz it’s gonna be f****ng LIT (did someone say NEON DANCE PARTY?).
If you feel like you’d like guidance or simply someone to accompany you as you plan your own funeral, I’d love to hear from you! Planning funerals is my JAM. I don’t know if that makes me weird or not, but if it does then I don’t want to be normal.