Put the fun back in funeral

So in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey he says to begin with an end in mind as the second habit. Covey writes about imagining your funeral and what you want people in different aspects of your life to say about you. This may be the most extreme version of reverse engineering. Then I guess you live your life accordingly. Try not to fuck anyone over and do good. Tip well and help where needed.

I think of this often especially since I’m out living my father by two years. In fact of out lived a number of friends and family due only to luck. It’ll happen eventually but when I go I want to put the fun in my funeral. So here’s what I want.

A kegger or open bar at the wake and if I’m open casket put a party hat on me. I know it’s considered tacky but I’m encouraging selfies with my corpse. Maybe sit me up Weekend at Bernie’s style. If that’s too expensive maybe a cremation but I want my ashes in little glass bottles to be shared as souvenirs. I’m just spit balling here having a laugh. Of course you can’t have a funeral without music. Here’s a suggested playlist.

The Jack in the Box music so people my thing I’ll pop out of the box.

“Another One Bites the Dust” – Queen

“If I Ever Leave this World Alive”- Flogging Molly

“Harder Than You Know”- Public Enemy

“Float On” – Modest Mouse

“Let’s Go Crazy”- Prince

“You’re Dead”- Norma Tanega (What We Do in the Shadows Theme)

“Highway to Hell” AC/DC

In other words I don’t want tears when I go. I want people to be uncomfortable because I made them laugh at my funeral. Oh yea I don’t want a religious ceremony. I’ve gone to Catholic ceremonies where you’re an extra in the life of Jesus. Doesn’t he already have Easter and Christmas? If praying helps you mourn fantastic but laughter always works for me.

Hopefully this is fifty years or so from now and I still have my wits and bowel control. In the meantime, keep living.