My brother's funeral was that way, but then the asshole who did My mother's turned it into a fucking sermon. I was ready to smash his face, despite the fact he was My cousin. They were less than 4 months apart and I was NOT in a good frame of mind.

Mine would be like that, except that nobody would show up.

I could care less what happens after I'm gone but told my wife and daughter if they want anything then my daughter will plan it. She and I think about alike on that sort of thing. It bothers me a bit that any kind of gathering would be something I wouldn't have approved of. I would hope it would be something similar to what you relate.

Sounds like a great memorial for an even greater person

Sounds like a Unitarian memorial service.

This is amazing.

I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.

Good to hear.

Who organized and officiated this memorial?

That's lovely to hear.

I've actually been to a couple where it was the priest who conducted the service in that manner, and yes, it is quite refreshing. The ones that stuck in my craw were the fearmongers using our shared mortality as a scare tactic to exhort the bereaved to get right with Jebus.

I will be cremated without using formaldehyde. Already taken care of. I also bought a biodegradable urn from a company for about $130 and it comes with seedlings of the tree of your choice, perfect for my organic ashes, in my case I chose a native florida evergreen tree, the sand pine (Pinus clausa). My last will indicates that a very brief secular ceremony is given, theme, even in death I chose to give life.

I haven't yet given thought to memorial for myself. More likely I'll need to participate in one for my wife. But it is the season of life where there is no family generation alive between me and the abyss so clearly the end will come soon. I'm not sure if I want to spend any of the time remaining worrying about a party I won't be able myself to attend. This is the time to savor what's left. Perhaps I'll let the living tend to their own.

Praise Jesus for the miracle of a secular memorial!

My condolences for the loss of your friend. I lost a very good friend a couple of months ago. He was an actor. Even had a few lines on in the T.V shows MASH and Laverne and Shirley. Still can't believe he's gone.