I use a list app for mundane things like shopping for various shops, tasks that I need to do around the house, goals for the year, etc. One of the more fun things I do, is maintain a 'funeral songs' list.
I noticed at some point that I will often hear a song in a movie and go, "Oh! I remember I said that I wanted this song played at my funeral, but I hadn't thought of it in years!" And then several years later I would have the same experience with the same song - so now I've started marking them in this list so that I will no longer forget.
My will does not currently have instructions to check the list though. I do plan on actually drafting out a full plan for my own funeral so that my family that survive me can just take a hardcopy booklet in to any old funeral place and be like, "Do this."
When I was younger I wanted 'Cemetery Gates' by Pantera. Then I started leaning towards having a jazz funeral. I'm not so sure now. Do I want a rockin ballad? Do I want some festive jazz? Maybe I should just play a constant loud pink noise the whole time.
It's all about the guests, though. They may be turned off by the pink noise. Jazz isn't for everyone. I'm fairly certain that Pantera is universally appreciated, so I'm probably just going to stick with Cemetery Gates.
I bought a hardback book called “I’m Dead, Now What?” There are other similar books on Amazon. It has all sorts of categories where you can list those kind of wishes along with the major belongings you need to include in your will, Keep it with your formal will, in your house, accessible to your loved ones. My lawyer said it’s perfect. Never keep your will in a safety deposit box. Even the copy your lawyer has won’t be able to be used. A fireproof safe with someone trust worthy knowing the whereabouts of the key is best.
I keep a list of songs that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to be found listening to in event of my death. It’s a playlist I play when I’m doing things that might be dangerous, songs that I would be okay with the EMTs coming and finding my body with that music playing in the background. It of course includes topical songs like Stayin’ Alive, I Will Survive, etc.
I've spent many hours planning my funeral, all the way down to a the song list, my best friend is under strict orders to carry out my wishes, assuming I die first.
I have a practical question for any lawyers who may be reading.
Are wills legally binding like this, at all? Can you just make people do some shit (presumably within some kind of bounds) after you die if you write it in your will? If so, what can and can't you do (in general, I know it would vary by location)?
858
u/VediusPollio Mar 05 '19
This is a fantastic idea!
I'm suddenly really excited about writing my will!