My Funeral Planner

I once attended a program some years ago and at the end there was a raffle draw. One of the grand prizes is a memorial plan. The audience laughed, especially when the host said the winner has to claim the non-transferrable prize within a year :)

The deadline given is of course laughable, but the idea of having a memorial plan or to be more large-scale, a funeral planner, is not.

We always say that death comes like a thief in the night, we don't know the time nor the day when the Lord will say our time on earth is up. When that time comes, being ready spiritually is winning 3/4 of the battle. But the other 1/4 is being ready with all the other necessary stuff emanating from death.

Fr. Larry Tan from Don Bosco is the author of the booklet My Homebound Planner. It has some To Do lists and also has lots of practical guides on one's funeral (no matter how morbid a thought it can be). There is a part where one can prepare his living will and a list of personal documents as well as legal, financial and educational-related documents. "My Last Will" is a page where one can put into words all the sentiments he/she feels. "My Loose ends" page contains the lists of one's debts, collectibles, borrowed items and things others borrowed. A page is even reserved for one's letter to the Lord.

I bought the booklet from Fr. Larry when he said mass at the office a few months ago. My father saw the booklet in my room a few days after and as soon as he read the title, he quickly gave me a call and inquired about it, admitting he found the booklet disconcerting. After assuring him that I'm not dying yet, he finally conceded that being prepared also in that aspect is practical.

I remember when my mother died almost 10 years ago. Im convinced she was ready both spiritually and otherwise. She knew that when she dies, we will look for her memorial plan and wise as she is, she also put there a letter to us with all the detailed instructions for her funeral, she even included the phone number of the funeral parlor and the name of the person we will contact.

Honestly, I found it overwhelming to fill out the booklet. There were some questions I am not prepared to be asked. But if it is hard for me, how much more it will be for my family who will be left behind.

So casting those morbid and overwhelming thoughts aside, I know I should start filling it out soon...