Have any of you written up your funeral plans? What did they include?

Question

I wrote mine up last night and I just wonder what I've left out. What do yours include?

Answer 1

They'll open up the casket, thinking that my body will be in there... but it won't be.

My body will come down on wires covered in a white sheet.

Two smoke machines will be fired up, then confetti, strobe lights, and rave music.

It will be the most awesome funeral ever.

Answer 2

Yes, I do have it written up in my will. But you know if I die any time soon, I know I am going to get screwed out of my funeral.

I have in my will that I want a Viking ship funeral. By that I mean I want a full out Asatru funeral, complete with prayers to the Norse Gods and Goddesses. I specifically state I do not want any Christian prayers said or any preaching. I also have in there that I'd like everyone to get drunk setting around a bonfire on a beach. I have even left money for all this.

Now, the bad thing is, is I just *know* if I were to die tomorrow my family would make sure I would get a crummy Christian funeral in a church complete with all preaching about were unbelievers go and no one will even so much take a shot of whiskey in my honor. I know this because I have had people falt out tell me that is what they are going to do regardless of my wishes.

Answer 3

I wrote up funerary plans for myself when I was 17 as part of a project for a Death & Dying class taught at my (Catholic) High School. (Incidently, this class counted for a senior theology credit and was taught by the same teacher as the sex-ed class from my freshman year.) I had to write up all the details and price everything. I picked out a casket, priced a burial plot, and picked out all the scriptural readings (still then a practicing Lutheran). I wanted to be buried in what was then my favorite dress (which, of course, would not fit me now.)

I took another course on Death & Dying in college (Sociology department). I considered re-writing them then, but got overwhelmed with the work for the couse (and my other courses.) Your question has reminded me that I should probably go back and write up new plans. I'm 23 and my beliefs have very much changed since I wrote up the plans. I would probably delete some of the scriptural references. However, I still want my loved ones to do what they need to have comfort. The funerary service is more for them than for me.

Amusing addition... In the high school class, we took a tour of a local funeral home. It happened to be the one that my family uses so I was very familiar with the space and being there didn't creep me out. It was in the morning, so they fed us donuts. I was the only one who knew that the donuts were placed on the table in the same place where the caskets are placed during funerals. I told a few of my friends, but not everyone because I didn't want to ruin their breakfast. :-)

Answer 4

When the hubby and I worked out our wills (had to, have kids now), we also wrote out our funeral wishes. We listed that we want every usable tissue/organ donated to whomever can use it and then we want to be cremated. We would prefer to be buried unpreserved but the law won't allow that so instead of poisoning the ground we want to be burned. We left instructions for how we wanted our kids cared for and that they are to attend the funeral regardless of their age because it is important for them. Other than that, we don't care about the funeral or what is done with the ashes, those things are to comfort the living and it is their choice.
You may want to list any preferences for religion, flowers, songs, lighting, poems etc. Hope that helps.

Answer 5

No funeral plans, I don't really care much except that my friends and family should regale my antics and think happily on times together not future lost.

I have made it known I don't want to wind up in a cemetery. I'd rather be cremated and have a nice stone bench and a rock garden or sculpture dedicated in my memory.

Answer 6

It has never been written down, but I want to be cremated and have my ashes illegally scattered in the St. Lawrence River, while those attending are drinking bottled Canadian beer.

As far as my possessions go, I would like for my family to have anything of sentimental value, but the rest should be donated to charity.

Answer 7

Mine includes my will (basically, my mom decides who gets everything of mine).

The disposal of my remains is as follows: My corpse is to be cremated. My cremains are to be placed in a paper sack and given to a trusted friend. He will select a random latitude and longitude in my home state, and bury my ashes at that spot, and never reveal the location to anyone.

I also ask that all friends and family destroy any and all documents or momentos with my name or likeness on them, and ask them to do everything they can to ensure I am utterly forgotten from history.

Answer 8

I never wrote anything up, but my husband and the rest of my family understand that my only wish is to be buried at sea. I don't care about anything else, I just really feel that's where my body/ashes should be placed.

Answer 9

Will be doing up my will this summer. Not sure if funeral plans go in a will or not.

Answer 10

Mine is for immediate cremation with no ceremony, no vase, no trappings. Less than $1400.00. The rest of money left is for bills.