Anything you like (take 2)

It is always a difficult subject – you’re right. Maybe if we spoke about it more often it would become easier.

I’ve spoken to my kids about what I want (the cheapest of everything (I’m not going to care, I won’t be there to admire my £3000.00 coffin!) and no flowers – if people can’t buy me flowers when I’m alive, why would I want them when I’m dead!) and they’ve agreed to abide by my wishes.

The cost of funerals is a total rip off and undertakers know it’s not a time when people aren’t generally going to barter.

Like Kenty, I lost a parent when I was young and the other died a couple of years ago, but adversely, it makes it easier for me to speak about. Not sure they like it though….few like to be reminded of their own or a loved one’s mortality.

The problem is, we get to an age where you have more years behind you than ahead…..

2 members liked this post.

kent f OBE, Arc en

Hi Kenty, when my father died 12 mths ago it was very traumatic and upsetting as you can imagine. On the day of his funeral the family were all getting into the funeral cars, we had done a list of who sits where etc. Anyway my sister in law spat her dummy out because she wasn’t in the first car , she didn’t say anything on the day but pulled my mother up a few weeks later having a whinge! my mother kept this to herself  but somehow I found out by one of her friends. I don’t think the sis in law will ever be upsetting her again! without going into detail.

A few days later my mother asked me and my sister to help her arrange her funeral and pay for it in full as she wants no fighting etc on her funeral day. We went the undertakers were in between tea and biscuits she picked out her coffin, the colour of her shroud and how many cars, she even gave them a written acknowledgement to put in the local paper informing people of her death. This story does have a funny ending. A few weeks later she asked us to take her to the cemetery she wanted to see her plot where she will be  buried haha – on arrival I called into the cemetery lodge and asked what area is the plot in etc. The man got out a big book and asked what date did she pass away?? I couldn’t reply for laughing and crying at the same time – we were still grieving for my father. When I composed my self I said ” she’s not dead yet, she’s outside in the car” At least it gave everyone a good laugh lol. They told us she doesn’t have a plot yet only an area in the cemetery where she will be going. She told the man she wanted to put some flowers on her plot before she goes in it!!

Todays she’s 80 years old, gets out 5 days a week, comes on holiday with us, she’s surrounded by all her grandkids , we never have a dull moment with her. She fusses over us constantly- which I think keeps her going. She’s in her 6th year of being cancer free after being diagnosed with bowel cancer 6 half years ago. That hole in the ground can piss off for a long time yet!! lol

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Arc en, Bemused Bystander, kent f OBE