Create a great funeral day – October 30th

This page contains affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something, I receive a commission for the sale. This does not cost you anything. But if you do use my links, I appreciate your support.

This is an actual holiday.

This holiday was started in 1999 as a way to get people talking about that dreaded subject.

The topic has come up recently in our household because my parents just did their wills. Like it or not, we are all going to leave this life. Even though it is uncomfortable to think about, let alone talk about, we should have a dialogue (at least) of what our wishes and expectations are. I will be the first to admit that I am procrastinating about putting those things in writing.

While it may seem crass to some, we have found the best way to discuss this topic is through humor.

This is an example of one of those conversations (my words are in blue, my son’s are in green):

“You should appreciate me while I’m still around. I won’t always be here, you know.” This is what I am telling my teenage son who is sounding a tad ungrateful at the moment.

“I do appreciate you and you’re not going anywhere anytime soon.” Just like a teenager – thinks he knows it all.

“How do you know? We could be raptured tomorrow.” It is my ultimate wish to be raptured with my loved ones rather than die.

“If we are raptured tomorrow, I will be going with you.” Good point. One that I am extremely happy he made. “But it is more likely that you are going to just die.” Thanks. Burst my balloon why don’t you.

“That’s true. I could die tomorrow.” Let’s hope not. God, are you listening?

“You are going to die on a gloomy Thursday.” Huh? Where did he come up with that?

“A gloomy Thursday?” I am wrapping my head around the fact that my son is obviously a fortune teller.

“Yep. And today is Monday so we don’t need to worry.” A very confident fortune teller.

Okay, so I had to let that conversation marinate for awhile. Here’s the next one:

“Well, it’s Thursday. Should I expect the worst?” Again, let’s hope not.

“Mom, it’s not gloomy. I said you would go on a gloomy Thursday.” It’s all about the details, isn’t it?

“I’ve got news for you son. Whatever day I pass on will be a gloomy day for you.” Touché. Took me all day to think up that.

A smile was all I got in response. We totally get each other.

This was the latest conversation we had.

“At my funeral, I want video game music played and everyone celebrating.” Well, he is a Christian so he knows where he is going. (Thank you Jesus)

“Video game music? What if I don’t like that kind of music?” I was just being stubborn, I actually like some of the orchestral video game music that he has shared with me.

“It’s my funeral so you will just have to deal with it.” Gotta love a guy who knows what he wants.

“But you will be dead so it won’t matter to you.”

“That’s true, but if you don’t do it my way I may have to come back and haunt you.” Okay, I think we just jumped out of Christianity here.

“Okay, video game music it is. But if you get to have that then I get to have the music I want.”

“Fine, as long as it isn’t ‘Amazing Grace’ on the bagpipes.” So true. That makes even the toughest person crack.

“No no no. I don’t want that much crying.”

“Well, what music do you want?”

“I want one song played. ‘I Can Only Imagine’ by MercyMe.”

“No.”

“On the bagpipes.”

“Now you’re just being mean.”

-Loraine Nunley