Speaking of pushing daisies, have any of you planned your funeral? I mean, whether you are 21 or 91, you're gonna die. I want to go out in style. Any ideas for the perfect funeral? Unfortunately, I may need to be planning my Mother's soon, and she always refused to express her wishes (with her, it was always "IF I die").
I know that I want a strings group playing some great classical music. I wouldn't mind a "Second Line," but that'd be hard to get in Georgia, and I don't think people here would get it. I have contacts with a bagpipe group that I want to play "Amazing Grace." I want a predominantly black choir to do the Stones "You Can't always Get What You Want" and the Beatles' "Let It Be" (if the church will give us the approval to play secular music). I want to be buried at Westview Cemetary in the set of 4 lots near my Daddy, my brother, and a kajillion other members of my father's family. I want there to be a big party with lots of great food and drink. And I want my husband (assuming he is still alive) not to have anything to do with another woman for a year (or I'll haunt him).
Oh, and I want to be wearing orange and blue and have the Gator fight song played. Basically, I want a musical extravaganza that brings together my disparate interests.
Have you ever thought about what you want to happen just before you "Push Daisies"?
Replies
43SoWal Insider
My favorite part of funerals (funerals are the creepiest thing ever IMO) and memorial services are the old photos and stories of people's lives.I've never attended a creepy funeral.
SoWal Expert
It's all a personal preference - I'm not a fan of dead bodies in general, even more so when people in line near me for the viewing are pointing out the signs of trauma the mortician wasn't able to conceal.
SoWal Insider
It's all a personal preference - I'm not a fan of dead bodies in general, even more so when people in line near me for the viewing are pointing out the signs of trauma the mortician wasn't able to conceal.Do families still choose an open casket? The last few funerals I've attended over the last 10 years didn't have open viewing. I agree, the viewing is absurd. It's not done much in this area of the country, thankfully.
SoWal Expert
Oh, they still do it here in the South. Just went to a funeral Friday where we all passed by the deceased open casket. I chose not to have it open when my mom died 18 years ago. I knew she would come back to haunt me....I mean, how good can you possible look??
beats on hoodAuthor
He did get several members of the Louisville Orchestra brass section playing "When the Saints Go Marching In" at the end of the service, and they really jazzed it up funeral-style. Everybody had tappin' toes. It was awesome.That's really cool!
My favorite part of funerals (funerals are the creepiest thing ever IMO) and memorial services are the old photos and stories of people's lives.Thanks for reminding me about the photos.
I've never attended a creepy funeral.Funerals creep me out big time. Makes me feel like I have "dead germs" on me. And the smell of the flowers ... that's why I am really not fond of fresh-cut flowers. Reminds me of funerals.
Talk about being creeped out, when my grandmother died in 1990, we all flew out to Tyler for the funeral. It's pretty boring sitting around a funeral home for several days greeting relatives you haven't seen for years. My brother got bored and started checking out the coffin room. He was trying them all out, and when I walked in, he had my five-year-old daughter in one, too. Creeped me out big time. He thought it was funny. Can you imagine you much that creeped me out?
Do families still choose an open casket? The last few funerals I've attended over the last 10 years didn't have open viewing. I agree, the viewing is absurd. It's not done much in this area of the country, thankfully.It is a Southern thing. Most people I know do open casket at the funeral home, but once the body gets the church service, I haven't seen open casket in years. What really creeps me out is when people start hugging and kissing the dead body.
What really scares me is that all of my husband's life, he has been discriminated against due to his height and can't find shoes and clothes to fit in normal stores (everything is special order or custom made for him). When he croaks, will there be a coffin that can fit a 6'8" body, or will they just twist his legs to fit into a normal-sized coffin?
SoWal Expert
That's really cool!
Thanks for reminding me about the photos.
Funerals creep me out big time. Makes me feel like I have "dead germs" on me. And the smell of the flowers ... that's why I am really not fond of fresh-cut flowers. Reminds me of funerals.
Talk about being creeped out, when my grandmother died in 1990, we all flew out to Tyler for the funeral. It's pretty boring sitting around a funeral home for several days greeting relatives you haven't seen for years. My brother got bored and started checking out the coffin room. He was trying them all out, and when I walked in, he had my five-year-old daughter in one, too. Creeped me out big time. He thought it was funny. Can you imagine you much that creeped me out?
It is a Southern thing. Most people I know do open casket at the funeral home, but once the body gets the church service, I haven't seen open casket in years. What really creeps me out is when people start hugging and kissing the dead body.
What really scares me is that all of my husband's life, he has been discriminated against due to his height and can't find shoes and clothes to fit in normal stores (everything is special order or custom made for him). When he croaks, will there be a coffin that can fit a 6'8" body, or will they just twist his legs to fit into a normal-sized coffin?
Oh BR....God luv ya!
Meow
Oh BR....God luv ya!
margarita brocolia
This seemed like a fitting way for this BTO Illinois farmer to go to his final resting place.
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Beach Fanatic
This seemed like a fitting way for this BTO Illinois farmer to go to his final resting place.
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My Dad will love this...he's made it crystal clear that he'd "like to go out" on the farm, boots-up, under a hay wagon & this would really complete his vision! He always gave the kids hayrack rides at Thanksgiving too!
A few years ago my folks invited me to take an afternoon drive with them...out to the cemetary to look over headstones...with the express purpose of getting me to understand their mutual likes/dislikes in "memorial marker fashion trends" and ultimately create a custom design for them. It was a delightfully illuminating
(and humorous) experience. They tease me extensively about now being qualified to add "tombstone designer" to my design resume...
Beach Fanatic
That's sweet that he wants to recycle you.
It's more environmentally friendly than being stuffed like I wanted MANgo to do with me.
Taxidermy....now there's a 
idea my Sis & I hadn't thought of! 
Sis & I discussed having our remains sprinkled (like oregano) over a big pan of lasagna to be served at the after part-A.
Mother gagged (but we "dismissed" her reaction since she has such a low gag threshold!)
SoWal Expert
Sis & I discussed having our remains sprinkled (like oregano) over a big pan of lasagna to be served at the after part-A.
Mother gagged (but we "dismissed" her reaction since she has such a low gag threshold!)
:funn:Y'all are bad. :funn:Beach Fanatic
We ARE...we really Are
SoWal Expert
We ARE...we really Are
SoWal Expert
They must make XL and Tall coffins, just never thought about it! :funn:
It's not fun to think about, but it's one of those conversations you have to have/things you need to do. A biggie is letting people know if you want to be an organ donor.
It's not fun to think about, but it's one of those conversations you have to have/things you need to do. A biggie is letting people know if you want to be an organ donor.
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
Both my father and step-mom have made provisions for, and pre-planned for their bodies to be donated to the Universty of Florida for medical studies. They are both thrilled about their decisions. No funeral or memorial service for them. They want us kids to go to Key West to Margaritaville and have a party and throw their ashes of the point. I plan on doing just that. I told them to leave me enough money in the estate to throw a HUGE party, ya'll want come?
As for me. No memorial. Cremate me, and throw me in the Gulf of Mexico, that is where I belong.
As for me. No memorial. Cremate me, and throw me in the Gulf of Mexico, that is where I belong.
SoWal Expert
Both my father and step-mom have made provisions for, and pre-planned for their bodies to be donated to the Universty of Florida for medical studies. They are both thrilled about their decisions. No funeral or memorial service for them. They want us kids to go to Key West to Margaritaville and have a party and throw their ashes of the point. I plan on doing just that. I told them to leave me enough money in the estate to throw a HUGE party, ya'll want come?
As for me. No memorial. Cremate me, and throw me in the Gulf of Mexico, that is where I belong.
I'm with you, Darlene!
SoWal Insider
Both my father and step-mom have made provisions for, and pre-planned for their bodies to be donated to the Universty of Florida for medical studies. They are both thrilled about their decisions. No funeral or memorial service for them. They want us kids to go to Key West to Margaritaville and have a party and throw their ashes of the point. I plan on doing just that. I told them to leave me enough money in the estate to throw a HUGE party, ya'll want come?
As for me. No memorial. Cremate me, and throw me in the Gulf of Mexico, that is where I belong.
That's Awesome! Something we should all possibly consider.
beats on hoodAuthor
Interesting idea, Darlene.
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