Planning Your Own

[NWFlyer 2]

... post-death activities, that is.

Unfortunately, I've attended too many memorial services in the last few weeks (and more in the years before that). You get a chance to compare and contrast. And you start to think "Well, what if it's my time? What do I want mine to be like?" And it goes beyond that ... where would I want to be buried? Do I even want any of my body buried or do I just want it all cremated and scattered? Does my opinion matter or is it really up to my loved ones to decide what to do with what's left of me?

And then you wonder ... "Am I the only person who does shit like this?"

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[newbloomer 0]

From my own experience and from others that I have known, we always want to do what they would have wanted. Trying to guess sucks! Knowing that somebody you care about would approve of what you are doing makes it easier.

"not all grief is bad grief, just ask Charlie Brown"

[Squeak 17]

lots of people do it.
many people leave instructions in their wills for how they would like to be mourned or celebrated.

I want a party, no funeral service, lots of loud music, and then what ever the surgical transplant team hasn't claimm burn the rest in a big arse bonfire

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[2fat2fly 0]

My wife has everything written in a folder. I would if I could decide-I don't think that it's too morbid.

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried

[NWFlyer 2]

Yeah... on my list of "things to do" is to put together a practical "if I die" folder that contains all the stuff that will be a logistical pain the ass for who ever has to clean up my affairs (account info, passwords, etc., basically all the stuff someone will need to clean up my financial/personal affairs). But lately I've been thinking more about some of the "how do I want to be remembered" side of it as well.

There's part of me that says this isn't about me anymore but there's that other part that says hell yeah it's about you ... make it so no one in the audience thinks "she would NOT have liked this!"

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Muenkel 0]

Since I am single and have no children, that task would end up in the hands of my parents and/or siblings. I made it clear that I want my organs donated. I want to be buried rather than cremated. I have a life insurance policy so I won't leave any financial burden on anyone. I trust my family to give me a Catholic funeral and burial. That's all I can do, the rest is up to them. Oh, my will is also up to date and several family members have a copy of it.

_________________________________________
Chris

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

Not morbid at all. My parents have my living will, all of my account #s, safety box info at the bank, selected as my beneficiaries, and power of attorney to make decisions on my behalf. They also have duplicate keys to everything.

That's been in place for a few years.

_________________________________________

[drdive 0]

I love skydiving.
I love boating in the Puget Sound
I love scuba, and have hundreds of dives in Cozumel.

LadyDyver knows - cremate me, have an ash dive, throw some at Matia Island, and in Cozumel, and drink lots of beer and laugh a lot!!

Doc

"We saved your gear. Now you can sell it when you get out of the hospital and upsize!!" "K-Dub"

"

[NWFlyer 2]

Yeah, the whole end-of-life planning is a good thing, and the number of memorial services I've had to attend lately has spurred me to actually FINISH that folder and arrange for a safe deposit box to keep it.

But the way to celebrate my life is something I hadn't thought about before or about whether I would/should have a say in it.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[dropdeded 0]

I witness unexpected death quite regularly and it has prompted me to set some things up. Hopefully my crap wont be too difficult for my loved ones to handle.

------------------------------------------
The Dude Abides.
-

[DSE 5]

Mine was picked out long before skydiving.
Clothes I'd like to be burned in, crematorium, etc
Scatter my ashes over the rez/Grand Canyon.
Memorial service can't be planned, because that's for my loved ones to do, but I've made some suggestions that might make their job easier.

Having had to plan a few of these, it seemed best to me to organize as much as I can so that they can grieve rather than be frustrated with my final moments. It also sets the tone for how I hope to be remembered.
If nothing else, it was a good exercise during a few long flights.
Since I have a locker at the DZ, there is a copy in my locker, my attorney has a copy, and a business partner has a copy...someone'll figure it out.

[airtwardo 7]

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My wife has everything written in a folder. I would if I could decide-I don't think that it's too morbid.

Might wanna toss all the porno ya got stashed in the attic too!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

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Yeah, the whole end-of-life planning is a good thing, and the number of memorial services I've had to attend lately has spurred me to actually FINISH that folder and arrange for a safe deposit box to keep it.

But the way to celebrate my life is something I hadn't thought about before or about whether I would/should have a say in it.

My parents know my wishes in that regard as well and although they aren't pleased with my decision about an ashdive over Mobile Bay or Dauphin Island or Gulf Shores (because that is my true home), they accept it. They would much rather prefer that I have a space next to theirs on the burial lot with the rest of the family. Since I spent 21 years in Colorado, I also stated in my living will that if an ashdive was desired there, that I authorize an ashdive at MileHi were I began AFF.

_________________________________________

[NWFlyer 2]

AFAIK my parents don't have a place picked out for me ... but if they want to take a part of me and bury me somewhere nearby, that's all good. But I want my ashes to be in as many different places as possible... since my heart is with good friends in as many different places now. Take me on as many trips as possible.

One of the biggest honors I ever had was the chance to take a friend's ashes with me on my road trip in 2005, not long after I'd gotten my A license. Took him back to a couple places he'd been before, and to one place he'd never had the chance to go. I want others to do the same for me.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[BillyVance 34]

Having just been to one memorial, I am reminded again that I have got to get my paperwork in place and the foundation set up for whatever plans that would be made when it's my time to go. I'm 40 fucking years old, have a little girl and I'm being a shithead for not having done all this already...

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[RALFFERS 0]

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"Am I the only person who does shit like this?"

Yes, you are

Kidding, kidding...

There was a time period in my life where I attended around 7 funerals in 3 years, the last of which was my fathers. Although I shed a tear at my dad's, by the time his came I was so numb that it's almost as if I had developed an "on/off switch" with regard to my emotions, probably as a way of coping; mind you I had just turned 15 at the time (if that had anything to do with anything.) At the same time, yes, I did think how it would be when it was my time, but more-so, accepting the reality that it will be my time 1 day was what really made me think very deeply; having to come to terms with your mortality as a 15 year-old kid is a odd feeling, In answer to your question though (before I get all philosophical), I would hope my family carries out my wishes of being cremated and spilled over some beautiful part of the earth, such as the ocean or mountains. I don't want anybody to ever stand over my grave sad and mourning, instead I'd like anyone to focus upon their memories of my life; hopefully I accomplish my goal of impacting peoples lives for the good to be for them to want to take such trips down memory lane.

Pardon me if I go on a bit of a tangent here, but the last month has really made me think hard about how lucky I am to still be here....there were a lot of things I can recall that i shouldn't have lived through, yet, I did, and know full well I have no right for such a privilege.

I know I'm a 2 tandem wonder (for now), but being a part of these forums has made a better person. It's really hard to read some of the posts on here sometimes, but it has strengthened me; gave me compassion for friend and stranger alike-a compasion I didn't have before coming here. I can only hope (and I know it will) that remaining here and going onn to be a full-time jumper only structures and builds my character for no other purpose than to have a positive effect on those around me.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread...I really did try to stay on subject Just wanted to share some of my thoughts. Hopes some of this makes some sense.

Dialogue/commentary between Divot, Twardo & myself -

"from your first Oshkosh when the three of us were riding to or from one of

[NWFlyer 2]

OK, i just finished "the letter." It's mostly practical stuff, a little mushy personal stuff, and a little bit about how I might like to be remembered. It's being sealed up and sent to my parents tomorrow (with a cover letter saying "open this if I'm dead or otherwise incapacitated").

It's not perfect but it's a heck of a lot more information than they have now.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Muenkel 0]

Krisanne,

Please do your parents a favor and call them to tell them it's coming and why.

_________________________________________
Chris

[shermanator 4]

not morbid.. morbid is what i want...

i want my body positioned in very odd way, just before riger mortis kicks in.

then for barrial, I want my bottem half cremated and ash dive.. top half burried.

CLICK HERE! new blog posted 9/21/08
CSA #720

[NWFlyer 2]

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Krisanne,

Please do your parents a favor and call them to tell them it's coming and why.

I will, don't worry. The note that I've enclosed also explains it. It includes the line "I hope you never have to open this letter."

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[jtval 0]

Why make em wait?

What if they wait and in some shitty circumstance they have to open it. What if they have questions?


Is there really anything in the letter that you would say only if you're dead? I'd bet they'd wanna hear it from you while youre alive.


I've been putting off my will simply because I dont own shit.

My life ins will take care of the expense but I really need to get on it so they don't have to figure out how to dispose of my belongings.


anyone want the contents of my bowel?

My photos

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[Esquilax 0]

Meh, I'm gonna be cremated, and then given to the Navy to pitch overboard. (I'm a vet)

Ostriches and rheas are the only birds that urinate and defecate separately. They read Parachutist while doing #2.

[jtval 0]

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(I'm a vet)

What does fixings pets have to do with the Navy?


I could honestly care less what they do with my shell.
if they can harvest organs let em. If they wanna try to use my skin for top soil let em.

if they wanna use my skull for a planter...let em.

the only thing I see to do is to do the cheapest way to dispose of the shell. Cremation is currently that way. AFAIK.

so maybe some of you jackholes will take me for one last jump.

My photos

My Videos

[DFWAJG 4]

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not morbid.. morbid is what i want...

i want my body positioned in very odd way, just before riger mortis kicks in.

then for barrial, I want my bottem half cremated and ash dive.. top half burried.

For Shermanator

[gonzalesna 0]

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not morbid.. morbid is what i want...

i want my body positioned in very odd way, just before riger mortis kicks in.

then for barrial, I want my bottem half cremated and ash dive.. top half burried.

For Shermanator

Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie.