Here's one for #WhateverWednesday
Let's talk funeral service. How about my own. I have put a little thought into my funeral service. Obviously we are all gonna die. I'm not afraid of dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens though.
Most who know me know that I often like to put my spin on things. I don't like to do things the traditional way. I feel tradition can often be over saturated. Mind you, I do respect those who prefer those sorts of traditions, stay in the line. Maybe I just ask a lot of questions. I mean, I do consider myself a strong skeptic. I often ponder why we do such things, why does it have to be a certain way? Why do we say bless you when someone sneezes? Why does it have to be a tux and gown? Why do we knock on wood? What's the point of a groundhog?
I personally feel traditions are good when you agree on the sentiment or understand the discipline. I'm one for creating my own sort of tradition. I feel there's more meaning to something if you do it in alignment with your own heart instead of dressing it up comparible to everyone else. For example weddings, why share the same umbrella over your relationship as the majority of everyone else? Is yours not the more special? It's well ok to color outside the lines, yet most haven't realized it. I identify 'tradition' as just the bookmark or general standard, until you have gleamed enough of it to make something all your own.
Now to my funeral. It should be understood that funerals are not for the dead, I mean it should be, their names are on it. No, funerals are for the living. It is a soft landing for realizing and overcoming ones loss. It is a service to reach some sort of closure with the ones you love. The lost loved one is used as the tool, their body, picture and name, but the actual service is for those who hurt and to lament their respects before the coffin closes, before the burial, before the ashes are spread.
I want to be as involved in my service as the attendees. My death should be that of how I have lived. I choose to cling to descriptors such as ..
- Artist : what my senses perceive, I aim to leave my mark. Creativity is a virtue, the ability to design your life. Art is life. Those who hold the pen is the author of their lives.
- Philosopher : always thinking with a Socratic
approach, moving towards answers
- Poet : ability to string words in as linear as my own
self expression
- Warrior : the fight has always been greater within
myself, but I believe in fighting for what's right and believe in fairness and equality, I was named 'justice' after all
- Magician : as open as a book I consider myself, there's still a bit of mystery or wonder remaining
These are only a few titles I identify with. To celebrate that I'd like to orchestrate a ceremony that recognizes these qualities. I see my funeral unlike the main stream, not in a church, suit and casket. My service is intended to be outside. Respects and speeches may be made ahead of time. Attendees may craft and bring letters and keepsakes to send me off with. My daughters Zoravelle and Mayaonca will fashion braids and feathers to attach to a handle of a tomahawk and stick of an arrow. My wife Crystal will dress my body in a white ceremonial blanket and fit any keepsakes brought to be placed around my body and may even paint my face or affix a paper mask. I plan to have my prepared body on a stack of straw and wood platform about 6ft high. Underneath would be kindling for the final performance. After Crystal finishes her part she will join everyone else approximately 50-100ft away from my decorated body. If willing, attendees may say a final word, and read or have their letters read which then those letters will be laid in a bowl. After all is said and moment of silence the bowl of letters will be set afire. I nominate a good friend, Joshua Shull to take the tomahawk with the blade coated in flammable solution and light it over the bowl of letters. As he raises the braided and decorated tomahawk, Wolf howls and other animal cries are encouraged. My best friend JJ Johnson will stand at reserve with a bow and arrow to await as an assist if the tomahawk misses but either way fire a flaming arrow towards the awaited kindling.
By then, The letters made to flames, and the flames have sent me away, guided by the words of my loved ones to the after life.
This is mostly my plan to my own funeral. May have to work out some details, I dunno, maybe pizza hut delivers 20 pizzas afterwards.
(This may be edited later)