Table of Contents
Preface: Death Becomes Me
Why I Started Planning My Funeral at 40 7
Introduction: Your Day, Your Way
The Party of Your Life 11
Instructions: Getting the Funeral You Want and Deserve
How to Use This Book 14
section I Pre-Planiiing Essentials
Chapter 1 Putting the "F-U-N" Back in Funeral
The Benefits of Self-Planning 20
Chapter 2 It Takes a Village
Your Funeral Posse 30
section ii The Party of Your Life
Chapter 3 It's My Party, and I'll Die if I Want To
Themes and Dreams 44
Chapter 4 C'mon Baby Light My Pyre
Riveting Remembrance Rituals 53
Chapter 5 Let Format Follow FUNction
Events and Itineraries 65
Chapter 6 All the World s a Stage
Your Celebration Location 77
Chapter 7 Dance This Mess Around
Your Funeral Soundtrack 85
Chapter 8 There You Go
Your Funeral Mission Statement 94
Chapter 9 Who's Hot, Who's Not
The Guest List 102
Chapter 10 Menus, Massage, and Mojitos
Care and Feeding of Guests 112
Chapter ii Bye-Bye Bling
Your Funeral Gift Bags 122
Chapter 12 Sideshows and Show-Stoppers
Good Drama vs. Bad Drama 130
section IV The Service of Your Life
Chapter 13 Services for All Sorts
GodorMod 136
Chapter 14 The Dramatic Potential of You
Setting the Stage 145
Chapter 15 Who Runs the Show?
Selecting an Officiate 152
Chapter 16 Mass Appeal
An Observances Outline 159
section V The Promotion of Your Life
Chapter 17 Getting the Word Out
Your Funeral ID Card and End-of-Life Announcements 174
Chapter 18 yourfuneral.com
Your Official Funeral Website 184
section vi The End of Your Life
Chapter 19 Separation of Body and Party
Establishing Your Celebration Timeline 198
Chapter 20 To View, Or Not to View
How Do You Say Goodbye? 210
Chapter 21 Take Back Your Death
Home Deaths and Funerals 216
Chapter 22 Plan B
When There Is No Body 226
section vii Post-Planning Extras
Chapter 23 Financing the Fun
Need-to-Know Shopping Info 234
Chapter 24 Why Wait?
The Dry Run Funeral 241
appendix: Do Before I Die
Your Quickie Party Checklist 249
Acknowledgments 252
Resources 254
