In 2003, Harry Ewell, a long time ice cream vendor, decided to have his old ice cream truck lead the procession at his funeral. Then at the end of the procession the truck passed out pop sickles to everyone.
However, Harry Ewell isn't the only person making unusual arrangements. As baby boomers across the country begin making preparations for their funerals, there seems to be more options opening up for consumers. Hmm...this is the first time I thought of myself as a consumer at my own funeral but I guess I am.
At any rate, there seems to be an up and coming trend of funeral planners. Now understand, that these people are more like wedding planners than funeral home directors. How do I know? The quote from the
New York Times says it all to me.
David E. Monn says he has discovered the biggest threat to a well-orchestrated event: the long speech...
"I have a pet peeve," he says. "No more than three minutes. It doesn't matter how much you loved someone, after you've heard someone drone on for five minutes you're annoyed."
Well, I agree that long speeches, especially ones that aren't written down and off the cuff, are often very annoying. It's a peeve of my own, just like outside weddings in June that last for an hour. Still, if a loved one wants to get up and say something at a funeral that happens to be longer than 3 minutes, I don't think your being annoyed should be compared to the hurt and mourning that person is going through.
So, on a lighter note - what kind of creative arrangements do you want at your funeral?
Just think about that long flight across the country from LA to NY. You can't afford first class and coach is crowded. You find your seat and there you are with a mother and her 2 year old son crying louder than the roar of the engines. The head phones just aren't loud enough.
