Making the best of a bad day!

[Bigmallly]

My sincerest apologies if this post causes any distress to grapes who have already lost their spouse.
As you may have read, a colleague of mine died last week & it was his funeral today. I'm not very good at these events so decided not to attend, plus I was working. As it was taking place in the hospital church I did stand outside when it was time for him to come out. The doors were all ready open as it was full to the rafters, at the end of the service I heard the theme from Damnbusters.......ok, I thought, what's next?...........only a bladdy quartet of jazz musicians leading the congregation.............it was pure magical, just like something from New Orleans.................... an experience I will never forget. It was just typical of the man............Thanks Harry, you made everyone smile even on your leaving day.
I just wondered if anyone has experience a similar leaving day as it was a first for me. Or maybe you have similar plans for yourself.
Thanks for your time in reading this.

[Moo's Mum]

I've never experienced anything like that BM, but how wonderful that he was given such a fantastic send off! I know losing someone is awful and so sad, but I think we should try and celebrate their lives.
When my time comes I only want tears of laughter......

[veggiechicken]

Its the only way to go out, BM, by leaving everyone with a smile on their face. I've been to, and arranged several "theatrical" funerals and I remember each one with affection and happiness. At my husband's request we had "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" from the Life of Brian as the closing piece at his funeral and we all walked away laughing and had a party!
You should celebrate the life of a loved one, not spend the day in misery.
And I apologise to anyone who may think this is trite, but this is me and I'll never change!

[lottie dolly]

I tolled mine a few years ago,NOBODY is to wear black,and the so called wake,is to be a fancy dress party,dico,the lot,and enjoy themselfes,because that is me,

[WendyC]

Many years ago my husband's great aunt Eva died. She was know for being difficult and when she went into a nursing home a family member commented that she had got what she had always wanted - staff! However at the funeral the vicar had a slip of the tongue and called her Auntie Evil. All my husband can remember was a ripple of giggles going round the church and his brother's shoulders shaking in front of him as he tried not to laugh. Certainly lightened the moment!

[Glutton4...]

Several years ago, my Sister and her (then) partner, went to the 'Humanist' funeral of an elderly relative on her partner's side. He was not in the least bit religious, and had arranged everything for his own funeral. He was buried in a recycled/recyclable coffin, in a woodland, in a plot he himself had chosen and paid for. He had insisted on a 'no black clothing' day, and those that attended, said it was the best, most moving, and most magical funeral they had ever been to.

Sounds good to me!

[VirginVegGrower]

Harry our neighbour passed away recently. He had the dam busters theme too. Beats that chronic Abide With Me.

[Jeanied]

We had 'Auld Lang Syne' for my Daddy - not a dry eye / seat in the house.

[chris]

When I pop me cloggs, I'd like a cardboard coffin, to be buried and a tree planted on top of me!

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have left instructions thay my body is to be disposed of with as little ceremony and cost as possible. I see the cadaver purely as waste material.

As to a wake now there's different. I have had a wonderful life, lived through some great times and been happily married to a wonderful lady for over 40 years. So theres plenty to celebrate. I have therefore left a goodly sum of money for a party. Any road free grub and alcohol might be the only way to ensure an attendance.

Potty

[cardiffsteve]

Just chuck me in the sea after all my usable parts have been harvested.

[Feral007]

My father just died and I didn't go to the funeral. Would have been a 20 hour round trip and I just don't do funerals! I figured he'd understand even if the rest of the family

I got the kids together and we went thru all my photos and laughed and chatted about Dad, and then about life when they were younger. Planning on planting some grapevines and eating the grapes in his memory if we beat the birds to them. And I'm going to take out one of those $25 Kiva loans for him. We'll choose a guy somewhere who needs a loan for the things that Dad would have been interested in.

I love the thoughts of a New Orleans style send off, and also The Life of Brian.

I'm giving my bits what are worth anything to people. And then I want to be cremated and my ashes flung out on the mountain behind us so I can race up and down in spirit with the horses who've had their spirits released up there. I did say to my daughter, just remember to see which way the wind is blowing first!

I love the thought of Aunty Evil! That's the thing with funerals, everyone says nothing but nice things. I know - but a little realism would be more my style. I think I'll have a box where people can leave what they want to say about me in note form. That way they can say what they really think and get it off their chest if they need to

[chris]

I have left instructions thay my body is to be disposed of with as little ceremony and cost as possible. I see the cadaver purely as waste material.

As to a wake now there's different. I have had a wonderful life, lived through some great times and been happily married to a wonderful lady for over 40 years. So theres plenty to celebrate. I have therefore left a goodly sum of money for a party. Any road free grub and alcohol might be the only way to ensure an attendance.

Potty

Sounds good, can you send me one of those save the date cards so I remember to turn up please?

[dominic10]

A motor bike enthusiast died suddenly and enexpectedly in his 40s - his coffin was escorted on a specially adapted bike and most of the congregation wore their leathers. His wife only said she wished she hadn't shouted at him when he built a bike on the kitchen table. When On the Road Again and Stairway to Heaven was played there wasn't a dry eye in sight.

[jackie j]

When my Mum died we looked at the cost of coffins. I hate to say a cardboard one was dearer than the cheapest wooden one.
On leaving the church we had chosen 'Simply the best' cos she was the best Mum we could have wished for.