I am planning my funeral.
I know EXACTLY what I want.
The least expensive coffin on the market.
Do NOT waste precious dollars on a fancy box
that is just going in the ground.
I was frugal in life, I have a reputation to protect.
Bury me in a size 8.
Maybe something with lace, or sequins.
Or even better, lace AND sequins.
I know you’ll have to cut it open
and drape it over me,
but DO PLEASE bury me in a size 8.
Save your money, don’t send flowers.
Instead, have a meal with someone you love.
Feel free to have tacos, chocolate cake
and sweet tea to remember me by.
And here is the best part,
I want THESE words said.
I want my kids to say,
“My mom was a woman of
integrity.
integrity.
She lived at home, like
she lived in public.”
she lived in public.”
I want my husband to say
“She treated me with dignity and respect,
and made me want to be my best self.
Rachel made me proud to be a man.”
I want my neighbors to say,
“She shared her veggies and
flowers with us,
flowers with us,
and our kids
always had a safe place
always had a safe place
to play over at her house.
She sure loved our kids.
Mrs. Coltharp, she really loved her
church.
church.
She invited me to come
every time we talked.”
every time we talked.”
I want my friends to say,
“Rachel always told me the
truth.
truth.
It wasn’t always what I
wanted to hear,
wanted to hear,
and I didn’t always agree with her,
but she always had my best
at heart.”
at heart.”
I want my bank account to say
“She always paid her
tithe,
tithe,
and gave generously to the Kingdom.”
I want orphaned/abandoned children to say
“She shared with
us when we were alone,
us when we were alone,
cold, hurting and hungry.”
I want my Bible to say,
“She slap WORE ME OUT”.
I want my computer, cell phone, debit card, check book and
mailbox to say “She served Christ first with me, herself second.”
mailbox to say “She served Christ first with me, herself second.”
I want my house to say,
“I heard her pray every day,
and watched her disciple her children
right here within my
walls.
walls.
She made me a holy place.”
And I want it all to be true.
So, like I said, I’m planning my funeral.
Every day.
Every time I plan a meal. Every time I open my web browser. Every time I whip out my debit card. Every time I pay my tithe. Every time I open my door to a
neighbor, a friend, or a child.
neighbor, a friend, or a child.
Every time I reach for my Bible.
Every time I choke back my sarcastic
reply, choosing a gracious word instead.
Every time I stifle my irritation and serve with humility, as unto the Lord, and not men.
reply, choosing a gracious word instead.
Every time I stifle my irritation and serve with humility, as unto the Lord, and not men.
For when my voice has ceased to speak,
my words will echo in
the hearts of my children.
the hearts of my children.
When my
prayers have ceased to be breathed,
prayers have ceased to be breathed,
they will still fan the flames
in the souls
of my loved ones.
of my loved ones.
When my fingers stiffen
and are folded
and are folded
into eternal stillness,
my life will still touch those I leave
behind.
behind.
I’ll be
gone.
gone.
But I’ll still be here.
I’m planning my funeral.
Are you?
This is awesome! I filled in for a Sunday School teacher once and wanted to have an impact on the six or seven teens in that class. So I asked them to write their obituaries. This was an amazing exercise for us all. We leave a legacy whether we like it or not. Thank you for sharing Sister Coltharp.
What a great idea! I think I'll use that with my own kids.
I enjoyed your blog. I never thought about planning my own funeral but i have friends just like you who are already planning their funeral. It sounds morbid but i guess it is a great idea as it reduce your family's burden. I love what you wrote about what you want your kids and your friends to say about you. Good luck on your planning.
– MarzulloFuneralChapel.com
Thank you Emma.
Wow. I think I'll turn this computer off and start planning myself! Thank you again, my friend, for making me think! What a great read.
Thank you Precious Pebble. You are such a sweet soul.
So thankful to have you as my wife and for such noble aspirations. I do not know anyone who diligently strives to embody the goals that you have shared on a daily basis more than you. I am encouraged, as well as challenged, understanding that my partnership with you in these aspirations will provide needed synergy for both of us to achieve these goals together.
Oh Honey Pie, what a delight you are! Didn't know you read these.
Good post! Thanks for sharing this information I appreciate it. God bless!
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