My Own Living Funeral...

In the context of the way most funerals are in American culture - it seems that a living funeral might involve close friends and of course, family. In some actual funerals, common acquaintances are even invited - such as co-workers. A funeral can draw a large gathering as a single person often touches the lives of many others. Similar things can be said about a baby being born - it is celebrated, and it appears that in general life and death are appreciated and celebrated (for lack of a better word). However, in this culture - contrast to the way Morrie (Tuesdays with Morrie) had come to view his own impending death - the idea of death is usually a fearful one. As simple as it possibly is, death is feared for its unknown.

I considered the list of people that I might invite for a while. I wrote down some names, starting with my parents which were followed with just a few people who I consider my closest friends. After this, I couldn't really think of anyone else that I would want to attend an event like this if I had one. I believe I'm lucky enough to say that a I have a good number of friends - people who would attend a living funeral in a heartbeat if they were asked - but I don't think I'd like to host a large living funeral if at all. I know that the idea of a large regular funeral seems awkward to me. Death is an inevitable part of life. As we live and breathe, death comes naturally. As I said before, people are scared of it because it is mysterious. I don't believe anyone that says they know what death is like. Personally, I lean towards the scientific explanations, but that's just me.

I'm getting off topic ~ ~
On the idea of a living funeral - I think that if, for a dying person's own comfort, they want to see a certain amalgam of people, it is a nice idea. When I think of what my own would be like, I'd want to leave my so-so friends out of it (sorry), and hopefully, see the people whom I'm sure care about me for one reason or another. Again, my parents and a small group of friends. People who's lives I know that I've touched in a big enough way, so far as I know, and vice versa. I'd probably want to give my farewells to the rest of them however.

On another note, big parties for ones OWN self, even once in a lifetime ones wouldn't make me feel good. As was happening with Morrie, aside from the funeral - people who loved him came to him on their own time!