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No, I have no particular timeframe in mind, no imminent expectation of needing to implement my funeral plans. This is simply a topic I've pondered ever since nearly dying almost 5 1/2 years ago and long-outliving the wildest possible expectations of maybe 3 or 4 years, as the long, most ludicrous possible outcome.
I would argue that funeral planning is a topic all of us might do well to consider. Life is 100% fatal, after all. There's a good chance you will have a funeral someday. Wouldn't it be great, as is true of making a will, your own plans and ideas could be honored, your loved ones relieved of the weight of decision-making?
I'm sure I'll add more ideas as I clarify them, but the one list I've been mentally creating for years is one I want to get started today:
For my children, I want the song Give You Faith by Laura Story, from her new album Open Hands, played.
For my husband, Your Hands by J. J. Heller, is my message to leave him. Likely also a Steven Curtis Chapman song, but I haven't decided which one yet. (Suggestions?)
For my grieving friends and family, I want Blessed Be the Name played or sung.
As a congregation, I want several hymns sung. I've jotted down several, so I'll add them as I remember or find my notes, but I'll Fly Away is one for sure.
Also, a hymn that saw me through our miscarriage and infertility years, It is Well With My Soul.
This is just a start, but help me with my list please. What do you want played/sung at your funeral and why? What should I consider adding to my list?
I want to focus for a moment on just one of these artists, Laura Story. Perhaps you know the name from her popular song (another of my favorites) Blessings or Mighty To Save. Something I didn't know about this GRAMMY winner is that she has recently written a new book and bible study curriculum I want to get my hands on, When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted To Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without.
If you would like to enter for a chance to win a copy of Laura's brand new CD, Open Hands, please leave a comment answering my above question about what song you would want played at your funeral and why. Be sure to comment with a valid form of contact! I'll draw a winner Monday morning, so please enter soon and share widely. (For each share of this link via your blog, social media, even emailing to friends, leave me another comment in order to gain another entry!)
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
6 comments:
I would want Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace, I've been set free, as sung by the BYU's group Noteworthy to be played.
Wow, Jenni --- it's so hard to choose songs from all the ones I love. I have so many swirling through my mind. "My Life is in Your Hands" and "The God of Every Story" come to mind. I'm definitely going to take more time to think over this.
Laura Story has such a beautiful testimony still in the making of God's faithfulness and love in her and her family's life. One more that came to mind just now is "Trust His Heart" by Babbie Mason...But if I were to keep thinking on this my list wouldn't stop!
God bless you,Jenni.
-- Gina Weeks from Facebook. :)
This is actually an easy one for me, as I've already planned my funeral. I'd love for my friends, the gospel music trio "The Stephens", to sing two of their songs that are my favorites. My best friend will be singing two hymns. A song that a friend wrote just for me will be played, as she won't be able to travel to sing it herself. And my sister will sing Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home." However, we've recorded me singing part of that song and will add that to her singing.
How Firm a Foundation is my favorite hymn and my go to source of comfort. Don Francisco has a version I like, but I prefer it live, with an organ.
Good question. "For All the Saints" for either the processional or recessional. "I Am the Bread of Life" for the Communion hymn. "I Believe in God the Father, I Believe in Christ the Son..." for a sung version of the Apostles' Creed. "Amazing Grace" using the tune of "The House of the Rising Sun". Since it will be a full-blown Anglican service, there will also be a Gospel hymn and offertory. So maybe "Lift High the Cross" and "Borning Cry", too. We actually just finished an adult ed class about end-of-life issues from a Christian perspective, and planning your funeral was one of the topics.
Thanks Sarah, Gina, Tanya Leigh, Sue!
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