I Planned My Own Funeral

Peggy Walker Barnes
Simply Living with Peggy Walker Barnes

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” ~ Benjamin Franklin ~

I am 56 years old and I have planned my own funeral. I do not have any disease – which I know of, I currently am not expecting anything to happen to me anytime soon – I hope, and I am not overly obsessed with death – I don’t think anyway.  I just happen to be a planner!

I actually planned my funeral at the age of 40. I had several friends die that year, leaving young children, shell shocked husbands and friends behind. I knew then that I wanted to ease the burden of whomever I left behind should something unexpectedly happen to me.

I love my husband and I know he loves me. I do know him well enough to know that decisions about my funeral would be so hard for him to make, so I decided to take the stress off him and take out all the second guessing.

There are a lot of details involved in death and the people left behind are the ones making those decisions. In the middle of grief and confusion, clarity has to suddenly appear. I want to make as many of those decisions prior to death and go ahead and communicate the information prior to my demise.

Yes, I planned my own funeral. Not because I am a control freak, which I have on many occasions been accused of being, but because I want those left behind to not have to think too hard and to be able to get through the days of sending me on to the other side, enjoying each other – instead of poring over details.

Have you prepared for the unexpected? Do you have things in order should something happen to you? As unpleasant as it may seem, what a gift you can give to those left behind.

By Contributing Author: Peggy Walker Barnes also known as The De-Clutter Bug