Rested Resident

I saw a story where someone bought their own coffin and another dug their own grave- both full of health, not dying soon, they seemed. But they did this so that in the event they died, their family would not undergo a financial crisis. Have you ever wondered how it will be when you die? “It is God who takes”, a friend once told me they do not like that quote of scripture, even when they leave, and they would not appreciate it as a slogan for their ceremony. Yet we shall all have to depart. Some of us find it a taboo to speak about the afterlife or make preparations of the leaving ceremony while still alive. Let me interest you in a tour of the rested residences. For just a brief moment, think about it, not how it is going to happen but how it will be when it happens. For example, who might cry or miss you the most? Which funeral home ill handle your corpse? Who will come near your lifeless figure to pay their last respect or give you the last dress up? So many questions- yet we may not have clear answers even if we prepared to the last dot. Many people get their wishes granted when they stop breathing. Some people want to use your demise to make money while others use the opportunity to misuse your money. Funerals are perceived as celebrations to remember the soul that has left but also to celebrate life for those alive. It never occurs to us that we might be next although we have experienced near death misses at times but the fullness of life helps us forget the thought by interacting with our dear ones or going on with our daily routines.

There is a meme going round saying, “When I die, I will haunt some people. I have a list’. It sounds funny, being the haunter but when roles are reversed you do not want to be haunted. Some unsettled spirits have been said to roam around giving restless days or nights to those who wronged them or those they cannot release. In many funeral sermons we are reminded to evaluate our lives even as we mourn for those who are gone, to make things right with the people around us and our maker before the undertaker comes calling, which we seldom do.  Death does not only select the sick but it has happened to the most healthy, the rich and poor, both the young and old, hungry or satisfied also men or women. Even some doctors have failed to predict a precise time of its occurring, but it still comes to the suspecting or less expecting.

There are some insurance products in the market offering the prospect amounts of claim money that would be paid to their next of kin once they are gone. Some of the packages spell out the kin of ceremony that can be accorded to the deceased or the family members affected. If you are going to live your life to the fullest, give the fullest to those around you. We may not know the date, time or moment but that season will come whether you prepare or not. If you can talk to those close to you let them know where you wish for your final resting place to be or how to handle your body. Some would prefer cremation others do not mind being paraded for viewing, some want private ceremonies while others will attract gatherings. Public or private events will not make a difference, the end is inevitable.