A Chocolate Funeral Party

I was doing some holiday shopping last weekend, and came up with a fun funeral idea. Why not have a chocolate funeral party?

Here's how it happened:  Last weekend I was strolling through Fremont, ostensibly shopping for others but really searching for the perfect necklace for myself, when my boyfriend suggested that we sample some chocolate at our neighborhood chocolate factory, Theo's Chocolate.  Of course, I was game.

The minute we set foot in the store, I started racing from display to display, stuffing myself full of at least a bar-sized amount of tiny chocolate bits. Some with nuts, some with salt, some dark, some very dark, some organic. I was giddy. Once I slowed down and realized I had plenty of time to sample everything, I started paying attention to the bluegrass duo playing in the corner of the store...and to my surprise, I really liked the music.

Normally, that's not my kind of sound (I'm more into punk and classic rock), but the longer we lingered, the more I enjoyed it. There was a man playing mandolin and a women playing upright bass, and they were good! I was charmed.

We ended up hanging around for quite a while, sampling chocolate, sipping the free coffee, and listening to Pickled Okra. After a few songs, I thought "I've got to hire them for a party; they're fun." I took one of their business cards, and started making mental notes about the fabulous party I'd have to have to showcase them.

Then, as we were leaving the store, I turned to my boyfriend and said, "wouldn't this be a great setting for a funeral party?"

Lesson: you never know where inspiration will hit you. If it's "real fun" for you, your guests will probably like it, too. (Note: the chocolate pictured here is just a stock image; it's not from Theo's.)

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Your Emails

Thanks to those folks who have emailed me to share your funeral plans and tell me about fun funerals you've attended. Here are a few songs to add to the funeral tunes master list, from Jane in NY, age 67:

•  "Here, There and Everywhere" by The Beatles
•  "Turn, Turn, Turn" (The Byrds cover version)
•   "Imagine" by John Lennon
•   "Leaving on a Jet Plane" (Peter, Paul and Mary cover version)

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My First Review

Here's the first review of The Party of Your Life from the American Chronicle:

"If someone has died, we know it isn't fun. But, when a loved one isn't dying or has just died, that is the best time to read the new book "The Party of Your Life." It is a fun read, especially if you're working in the funeral industry or planning your own funeral for down the road.

Why shouldn't you plan an uplifting fun funeral for yourself?

In her new book, "The Party of Your Life: Get the Funeral You Want by Planning It Yourself," author Erika Dillman has a variety of ideas from farewell music to funeral parties. It is true that more families are bypassing the traditional funeral service for a more personal location or a party that feels like a celebration of life. Your funeral should be memorable and it should reflect your spirit in life." Click to continue reading review.

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Another Testimonial for The Party of Your Life

 “As a celebrant I deal with creating meaningful funeral ceremonies for families, but after reading The Party of Your Life I realized how limited my ideas have been. Erika Dillman really opened up my eyes to a much more expanded way of looking at funerals. She has written a witty and humorous book on a topic that some people find fearful and morbid, and she conveys vital information in an easy-to-digest manner that includes humorous real-world examples.”
—Donna Belk, celebrant, home funeral guide, and
board member of the National Home Funeral Alliance,
www.donnabelk.com

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My Funeral Tunes

For the entertainment portion of my end-of-life service, I think I'll just have iTrevor perform. He is my fav!!! Check out this video. What a riot .

 

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My Disco Chamber

So, I've always wanted a disco chamber at my funeral, and now I've found a photo of the ideal venue!  Here are just a few of the songs I'll have my funeral DJ play at my disco:

• Waterloo (Abba)
• Y.M.C.A (Village People)
• Boogie Shoes (K.C. & the Sunshine Band)
• Night Fever (Bee Gees)
• Shake Your Groove Thing (Peaches & Herb)
• Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry)
• Let's Go Crazy (Prince)
• Where the Streets Have No Name (Pet Shop Boys)
• and  Barry White, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Freda Payne, Pointer Sisters...

And I want to hire Bert from Project Runway to design fabulous gowns for the women on my funeral team.  

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Morticians Putting the "F-U-N" Back in Funeral with Topless Calendar

Firemen do it, policemen do it, and now, so do morticians and funeral directors.  I'm talking about posing for some seriously shirtless photos to raise money for charity.  This is old news, but still fun to hear about. 

Back in 2007 a group of morticians and funeral directors got together for a photo shoot to make the Men of Mortuaries calendar to benefit KAMM CARES, a non-profit organization that helps individuals with breast cancer.  The Men haven't made a calendar since 2008, but their website is still up if you want to check it out!

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The Party of Your Life went on sale today!

The Party of Your Life went on sale today, and it's already marked down on Amazon.  So, now's the time to do some pre-holiday holiday shopping.  I'm sure all the adults on your gift list are dying for a copy.

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My Funeral Soundtrack

I've already assembled my funeral soundtrack, which I like to call, "my fTunes." It includes songs from the Clash, the B-52's, Nina Simone, Bowie, and more.  When I get around to it, I'll upload it to an iTunes iMix so everyone can enjoy it.  

Until then, why don't you jot down some songs for your final playlist!

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My First Testimonial

Here's my first testimonial for The Party of Your Life:

In The Party of Your Life, Erika Dillman provides a humorous and sometimes satirical insight into the modern-day funeral industry. She clearly informs the reader of the arrangements and personal reflections necessary to create a heartfelt and fun-filled final farewell. Her sharp and witty humor reminds us that death is a sure thing in this lifetime, and the more one prepares and shares their wishes, the more we honor our beloved dead in their final farewell.

—Nora Cedarwind Young, certified death midwife, green burial educator and hospice chaplain, www.thresholdsoflife.org

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