As a regular blogger for these past ten years, I have made it my mission to blog about matters that I care about, often sharing my own perspectives. While facing death may be a taboo subject in certain polite circles, it is one subject I care and thought much about, and so dear reader should you. If I were a betting man, and given systems are beginning to shut down in many areas of my life, I would not give good odds for my being around much longer, but how long, especially in the light of better than I peers passing into their eternal destiny, no one can say for certain. It is well then that I prepare for that eventuality. As with paying taxes, we all have to die, so it is best to face the inevitable, and do so as best we can.

My eyes were opened to the need to prepare when a little while back I attended the funeral of an old friend, who had lived a productive life, dying a few weeks short of her one hundredth birthday. It happened that the undertakers responsible were the same ones my family have used over the years. After the service, my wife and I, having discussed the subject in times past, decided to visit the same funeral directors to arrange our own funerals for when the times should come. Before buying the plan that met our requirements, we had to answer all sorts of questions concerning the sort of funeral we would like to have, down to minute details like how much to pay the minister and how many copies and format used for order of service.

I suppose, in recent years that I have been doing several things to prepare for the time I die. Naturally, I have made my will, keeping it simple and mindful that I can take nothing with me. One thing I did was to visit most of the places that have meant something to me in past times (while I would like to, I don’t expect to do a seriously long sea cruise). Another was to “tidy my affairs”, such as completing what could be my final tax return. Yet another was to write a book (Priests of the Bible) to cover many of the thoughts that have been on my mind that I would like to pass on to any who care to read. While at it, I have tried to make my peace with people who have wronged me or who I have wronged, and continue to do my best to pass on a decent legacy for those who come after me, especially in the light of today’s craziness. Most important is to settle all accounts with God and with His help go about living the sort of life that He requires of me and that pleases Him. I also think of the wisdom that we are still here because God has things for us to do, so it is best get on with doing them, giving thanks for each day spared!

Regarding the funeral, having attended many services (and even conducted a few myself), especially in my later years, and mindful that however sad is the loss that after a short period of mourning few are likely to give the deceased much further thought and life simply goes on. In my plan, I decided on a short private burial, followed by a memorial service at my church, followed by a decent wake (best held conveniently at the church so regrettably without the champagne on me). I think of the bad calls I have made in life (along with some good ones) but am grateful for my family and friends for sticking with me and that God is ever gracious and has blessed me in so many ways. Going back to the funeral that triggered these thoughts, I end with a suggested draft order of service for those responsible, using as a template that for the dear lady who died (above) and the sort of message (below) those crazy folk who carry sandwich boards might share but which is ever so important.