October 30 is the 10th annual Create a Great Funeral Day. I register the holiday each year to make it official. Now it seems a company has issued a press release changing the name of the holiday to Create a Great Funeral Plan Day—and saying you can create a funeral in 5 minutes! Having taught courses in designing your own funeral or memorial service, I know how time-consuming it is, partly because of the thought and care involved.
The reason I did not name the holiday as this company has renamed it is because "funeral plan" means to many people decisions about matters other than the event itself, such as cremation or burial, payment provisions, etc. My holiday is to remind people of the benefits of designing the actual ritual or party or funeral or service or whatever they choose. It has little to do with the other details.
The first paragraph of the press release:
Unfortunately this release has been picked up several places. I hope people don't get the idea that making decisions about a funeral is a quick process. It is not a drive-through undertaking.
Note: I do like people spreading the word about the holiday and its above-stated purpose. Please use the correct name though.
Hi Sephanie:
I write the blog where the above posting originated. My apologies for goofing on the name. I have changed the reference on my blog, and did give you credit for starting Create a Great Funeral Day from the get-go -- although the Witches Brew site didn't pick that part up.
I write The Family Plot Blog: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die. The original post was October 15 at http://thefamilyplot.wordpress.com/
Congratulations on your good work getting people to think about planning their funerals! It is much needed.
Posted by: Gail Rubin | October 22, 2009 at 11:18 AM