Flower Theme

by Gail
(Ft. Walton Beach, Fl.)

My mother was an avid gardener. Her beds always bloomed profusely. I ordered small blue vellum envelopes (2x3) and filled them with wild flower seeds and my mothers picture, bith and death dates, and a short poem. It was comforting to think everyone that loved her could throw the seeds in their garden and remember her.

Johnny Cash

by Jan

Here is a video of the tribute for Johnny Cash that was played at his funeral. Johnny's family provided much of the footage. I love this!




Note that the credits were added after the funeral.

My Memorial Plan

I'm preplanning my funeral so as such am not gone yet but thought my plan would be helpful to others.

I'm making a premade dvd with photos of my life and songs I have chosen to represent my life from my own point of view. One of the songs is Elvis Presley's rendition of My Way.

I also will be giving final messages to loved ones, such as telling my kids what I want for their lives through words as well as songs. An example is Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

When the time come,s my body will be dressed in clothes my children pick and my hair will be done in the way they choose so that I look as much like the way they knew me as possible.

My casket is to be set under a tent for two hours for a passbye final goodbye for people needing a final viewing. This is without a service or gathering, just a walk by view and leave.

At a separate time that is convenient for my family they are to have a time where family and friends get together, eat my favorite foods with the dvd playing in the background. I am not through with the DvD yet but plan on it lasting 2 hours. After eating and watching the DvD, my family is to place Goodbye notes in floating water lanterns and release there lanterns together and watch the lanterns and anything left unsaid sail away. I have chosen not to have a service by traditional standards and only want the DvD viewing, and lantern release without songs (other than on dvd), flowers, poems, eulogies, services etc.

crystals song

by sandrahite
(dallas,ga.)

Crystal Hite Mohr, my daughter, wife of Eric and mother of my three grandchildren went to be with her lord and savior on May She died while under going open heart surgery. Alan Jackson'song Sissy's Song was played at her funeral. We now call this Crystals song. I cry everyday for not only myself but for her husband and children.

An Irish Blessing

by Dianne

My Mother just lost her beloved sister-in-law. I sent your Youtube video to her; A Traditional Irish Blessing. It is beautiful and I thank you.
Dianne

Anita Roddick's Green Funeral

by Carol
(London)

Anita Roddick

Anita Roddick, The Body Shop founder kept her environmental focus even at her funeral. She was buried using a “green coffin”, followed by an organic buffet, mourners were greeted with banners bearing exotic swear words…one friend said “Even in death, Anita wanted to go with a green bang…one that was in keeping with her strong moral and ethical beliefs. During the wake a selection of panpiped world music was played…even the cremation was planned with the environment in mind - special filters were employed to cut down on mercury emissions…as Anita would have wanted”

Anita Roddick a powerful business woman who left a strong legacy….who kept on fighting for the environment even in her death…

Grandma

At my mother's funeral, each of the grandchildren spoke. Each talked of one thing that was special to them about their grandmother.

It was very precious.

My Dad

by Sharon Kisselburg Peake
(Salt Lake City, UT)

Orval The Clown

My cute dad passed away in March of 08. He was a daredevil clown who brought joy to so many people across the US and Canada. He was a stunt man and loved to make people smile and laugh. Words are not enough to express the huge hole he has left in so many lives.
He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 1982, but lived on for 26 years. He was truly amazing.
From 1996 until his passing he lived alone and mostly took care of himself. He loved to garden and cook, he had many friends and loved to spend time with his great grand kids.
For his memorial service I created a personal program with some of his clown pictures on it. There was singer and accompaniest who performed "My Way" because my dad always said, he lived his life exactly how he wanted - thus he did it his way. I also found a Bobbi Darin song I felt was quite fitting. "The Curtain Falls"... It starts out, "Off comes the make up, off comes the clowns disguise. The curtain's falling, the music slowly dies. But I hope your smiling as your filing out the door. As they say in this Biz, that's all there is, there isn't any more."
It was the perfect ending song for him.

Digital Photo Frame

by Gloria
(New York)

For my father's funeral, my sister Barbara purchased a digital photo frame and downloaded pictures depicting our father's life over his 89 years. It was placed to the left of the casket where family and friends could reflect on his life. Later, it was set up at the reception displaying pictures of the entire family over the years.




What a great idea, Gloria! Sue

Our Daughter Jenny

When my daughter died we brought a large basket of daffodil bulbs to the service. We gave them out to all who attended, to plant and think of Jenny in the spring when they bloomed.

Many people told me the next spring of how their daffodils were blooming and they were reminded of our Jenny.

My sisters keeper.

by Renee
(Calgary)

While my sister was in her last month of her life, I started a blog to keep people informed. It helped everyone know what was happening.
If you read it, start the blog in march at the first dated entry.
Here is the link My sister's keeper


Hi Renee;
Your blog is wonderful. When my sister died of cancer 20 years ago, I wrote a journal. How far we've come; a blog is so much better as others can share in the journey. (And I too felt a guardian angel in the room) This will also be very helpful for others who are going down this path. Thank you. Your sister had a wonderful spirit.
Sue