My Funeral

I’ve attended many funerals over the years—some for family members and some for friends. Some so heartbreakingly sad that I could barely keep myself together and some that seemed more like a high school reunion. Some completely expected and some so surreal that I kept asking myself what I was doing there. That all being said, I can tell you this much, some funerals are just better than others. 

It’s all about the eulogy as far as I'm concerned. The funerals that are the best are the ones where a friend or family member delivers a highly charged eulogy. Since I’ve delivered a heart-felt eulogy a time or two I can tell you from experience that a eulogy can make or break a funeral. A funeral without a eulogy is like a really good book that has a crappy, predictable, boring ending.

My hope of course, is that when my time comes, someone, (anyone), will be inspired to stand up and say some kind (or funny) words about me. I want my funeral to be one of the better ones. So good in fact that people walk away saying, “Wow, that was really a nice funeral.” Who knows, maybe one of my daughters or granddaughters will talk about what a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother I was. Maybe a friend will reminisce about a special time we spent together or a humorous secret we shared. Perhaps there is someone out there who will tell how I inspired them to greatness—even semi-greatness would do. Maybe an unknown will tell how I changed their life in a dramatic way and was inspired to come forth.

At the risk of sounding like I’m writing my own eulogy, I want people to remember me as a kind, honest, loyal, and faithful person who was always willing to do for others. I want to be remembered for my grace and grit, my fortitude and forthrightness, and my ability to listen to others. I want people to remember my fun-loving side and my willingness to learn new things and take chances. I don’t want my funeral to be a time of gloom sadness. I want people to celebrate the wonderful life that I have been so blessed to live with words of praise. I want a good old-fashioned funeral that is highlighted with an emotional-packed eulogy. Don’t forget, I’ll be watching and listening.