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It's Your Funeral
By Sedruola Maruska
I have never met a writer who did not want to tell the
ending of his story? I have never met a composer who
deliberately left his symphony unfinished. However, I
have met people who live their best lives and create a
legacy, only to allow someone else to conclude their
story. Isn't it like an unfinished symphony or
incomplete book? How can someone else justly summarize
your efforts, feelings and message better than you? They
can't.
Funeral Pre-planning is one of the most overlooked
opportunities in life. Many people choose not to think
of their funeral because they feel, in some way, it will
expedite their demise. Nothing could be further from the
truth. Pre-planning does not mean you intend or want to
pass tomorrow, it means you would like to give the final
message when the time comes. It means you care enough
about those left with the responsibility of your remains
to give them a clear idea of your desires. It means you
care enough about the life you are living, and those you
are touching to say goodbye in your own words, style and
voice.
Pre-planning a funeral does not have to be an exercise
in morbidity. When you planned your wedding, your
graduation party, or your 40th birthday party, you took
the time because you thought it was important to do it
your way. Your fingerprints were everywhere and all your
guests could see it was your celebration. Why not take
that same enthusiasm in planning your funeral or
memorial service?
The way people honor legacy is changing. It is no longer
a time of mourning, but a time to celebrate a life well
lived and the lives touched. Thinking about what you
would like to say, or how you would like to say it when
you are not there to personally deliver the message can
be a stepping stone to creating a more meaningful life
today. What do you love to do? What is your favorite
color? What one thing in your mind stands out as your
crowning achievement? All these things and so much more
could go into your funeral plan in a clear,
well-organized way. But only you can truly do that work.
The first two things to consider when pre-planning your
funeral service:
1) Who am I?
2) What do I want to say?
Once you have the answers to those questions, begin
building your plan. Begin living up to your self
expectations so when the time comes to deliver your
finale, it will be in line with what you know and strive
to be true for you. It's your funeral, you should plan
it.
Sedruola Maruska is an eco-friendly Event Designer and
Coordinatior specializing in Funeral Event Planning. You
can find her on the web at Sedruola Maruska Event Design
& Coordination [http://www.sedruolamaruska.com]
For information on the funeral industry visit the
National Funeral Directors Association for helpful
resources. |
