I went to a funeral last week, the funeral of someone I'd known all my life, a wonderfully upbeat, positive, vibrant woman. As we left the crematorium my sister turned to me and said that if she should go before me, she wanted the song 'always look on the bright side of life' from Monty Python's Life of Brian film.
No one likes to think of their own demise and maybe there is something slightly macabre about stipulating what you'd like at your funeral, but, then again if it means being sure no-one brings crysanthemums (I HATE crysanthemums), it's worth doing.
After all we painstakingly plan those big number birthday celebrations, Christmas get togethers, christenings, weddings, anniversaries, so why not our funerals? It is a bit gloomy and perhaps I'm just a control freak, but I'd like my departure to be personal to me.
So sis, rest assured, if you should depart before me, I'll make sure everyone belts out Monty Python's finale song for you. There will also be whoopie cushions on every seat, the vicar will do back flips down the aisle and, if you peer very closely, the floral displays might look just that little bit suggestive......
And sis, I'd like you to return the favour, so here's mine. Lots of music, everything from Muse to Holst, masses of red roses, big black hats, (I've always loved a bit of drama) and laughter.
I've always been proud of my Irish heritage and there's an Irish way of saying goodbye that seems perfect to me. Everyone gathers somewhere that was special (in my case it's the sea, so off to the beach) and remembers the departed in their own way, they might sing, recite a poem, just say a few words, it doesn't really matter.
How lovely is that? So that's what I'd like although please, I do have just one little request, much as I love her, could my best friend not be allowed to sing as I've done Sing Star with her on New Year's Eve and she's tone deaf......
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