What Do You Want to Happen When You Die?

I really opened a can of worms with this one.

Most of us have given a little thought to how we wish to be disposed of when we die ("disposed of" might be a hard word, but I can't think of a better one). It's a morbid thought, but Momento Mori -- we're all going to die.

I guess most people want the traditional coffin, religious services and maybe a nice get-together with a light lunch for the guests. Some substitute cremation for the coffin, and some substitute a need to party in place of the light lunch. Outside of these things, there are very few variations.

We apparently have the ability here to donate our bodies to Texas Tech University. I don't know much about it, but I'd like to find out more. I think after that it's a 'roast & ghost,' in which you're body is cremated and you're on to your ghosting duties. I've heard of opportunities to be buried in such a way that your remains nourish a tree or become mulch or something. Some of you like the Viking idea of being set on fire at sea, which is a little unpractical.

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Now that we've covered all of these basic and exotic ways to mark your death and deal with your remains, why is it so hard for people to understand that some of us want nothing to happen?  I know I'm not alone here. We've all had that one relative who's said: 'Who cares? When I'm dead, I'm dead, throw me in the dumpsters.'

Without getting knee-deep in my beliefs, I feel it's important for people to not mark the occasion with any kind of ceremony or get-together. With my views on life, I feel people should basically just say, "oh dang, that dude died," then just go on about their day. I don't want a memorial, a fundraiser, a party, or anything else. My fondest wish is for people to just understand that death is part of life and to move on.

I posted these sentiments on my social media and was immediately presented with all kinds of things people want to do that are counter to my wishes, and I can't stop them because I'll be dead. Kinda rude, right?  This brings me to my final thought. We all have birthday celebrations for our "special day." Well, one birthday among many really isn't special. But dying? You only get to do that once, so that's very special.

I guess I should feel honored by this, but it seems a little disrespectful, too.