Thinking about death

What grave goods would I include in my own grave? And what do I think my close friends and family include?

     I found thinking about these questions a little challenging, as I’ve never been to a funeral and never given my own death or funeral much thought. Especially since our society doesn’t practice the ritual of including grave goods as much as many others did in the past. We may make sure to include an object or two that we know is very important to that person and that they wouldn’t want to be without, but don’t include all of the persons most important belongings, animal sacrifices or food offerings. We usually hold onto the deceased’s belongings to grieve over or to keep a part of them with us.

    I would want to be buried in brightly colored semi formal clothing such as a summer dress or my favorite top with black pants. I would be wearing jewelry that was important to me, the ring my sister got me (she has an identical one) and the Plumeria flower earrings my mom got me from Hawaii, every time I put them on it reminds me of the family trip we made there together over last christmas. I’d also want to be buried with some of my possessions and thing I love, photos of my family, (so they knew who I belonged to and loved), books, my cookbook, and coffee (can never have too much). I would also want thing associated with my pets, such as a lock of hair, my riding equipment because I love to ride horses and have been doing so since I was 3 years old. Including all of my pets is important because they keep me balanced and happy. Many of these would say a lot about the kind of person I was and what I enjoyed during the times I lived, but people who didn’t know me may not be able to figure out why some of these items would be so important to me.

    I think my close family and friends would know that I wanted these kinds of things to stay with me. I don’t think there would be too much of a difference in what they would place with me apart from the odd thing, such as flowers or the teddy bear I’ve had for a very long time. I think these items would send the same message or it would be more obvious that I was a daughter based on more sentimental items and their meanings.