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Tuesday, April 5, 2016

D is for Death and Dirge

My theme for this year's A- Z Blogfest is DEATH (who I hope is like DEATH in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series): "...tall, thin (skeletal, as a matter of fact), and ALWAYS SPEAKS IN CAPITAL LETTERS. Generally shows up when you're dead, or just when he thinks you ought to be." Today we have D for Death and Dirge.

A Dirge is a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite. I already know I want the bagpipes to play Amazing Grace at my funeral. That's all.

As for death, well, that's the big what if at the end of the road. It's like this door we're all going to go through. Most people don't really know what's on the other side (and really, who wants to step through a door to who knows what? If there was a safety manual I'll wager stepping into the unknown would be on the list of things not to do). Some people think they know (I suspect there's a lot of people in this category), and a few know. Maybe. But there's no way to prove it since no one comes back to tell. Quite the dilemma.


Have you given thought to what sort of music you would want at your funeral?


Excerpt from Mort, by Terry Pratchett, in which DEATH takes on an apprentice...

DEATH: WELL, BOY, DO YOU SINCERELY WANT TO LEARN THE UTTERMOST SECRETS OF TIME AND SPACE?

Mort: Yes, sir. I think so, sir."

DEATH: GOOD. THE STABLES ARE AROUND THE BACK. THE SHOVEL HANGS JUST INSIDE THE DOOR. 


14 comments:

  1. I don't want any Durge at my funeral. Far too depressing for the poor people having to listen to it. Grief is tough enough to cope with so I'd like some upbeat, silly music to help my loved ones :)
    I am loving these posts. Thank you.

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  2. Nothing sad. Rock out to Rush and Dream Theater for me, folks. I'm in Heaven having a great time - you guys should be as well.
    Although bagpipes playing Amazing Grace would be really cool, Marcy.

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  3. Bagpipes always make me cry - regardless of the tune or occasion.
    I have no idea what is to come after death. Perhaps the last great adventure.

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  4. If one believes in Jesus, he came back from death but unfortunately didn't reveal much about it to his acquaintances.

    I have absolutely no idea as to what music, if any, I would want at my funeral. As long as my family don't go around spending way too much money on a wooden box, I'll be fine :)

    Open Minded Mormon A-Z

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  5. There are plenty of people who have died and come back. Their stories are all remarkably similar. I think that's as close to "proof" as we'll get.

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  6. Great excerpt at the end. Gave me a chuckle. As for music at my funeral, I've no idea. A friend of mine told me he wanted Gene Watson's "Farewell Party" played for his and, not much later, he did. I still miss that neighbor.
    Awakening Dreams and Conquering Nightmares with a Pen
    I’m really enjoying my little focus on music this month. Be well!

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  7. Bagpipes are the ultimate bittersweet farewell. I can't not cry when they play at a funeral.

    Susan Says

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  8. I've never thought about what music might be played at my funeral. Love bagpipes, though.

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  9. Interesting theme. My friend enjoys this topic as well, so we visit cemeteries regularly. She also has interesting Pinterest boards, like Death Masks and such. Found you through the A to Z Challenge. www.dianeweidenbenner.com

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  10. Well, I once went to a funeral where we sang Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. At the decedent's request. She told us before her death she wanted that, so...

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  11. An interesting topic for A to Z. I used to have my funeral planned out (that's when I was told I was dying.) Now I just want everyone to enjoy the day (I will).
    Im blogging for the A to Z Challenge from Fill the cracks and Moondustwriter's Blog. Happy A to Zing!

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  12. I want my death celebrated with a viking funeral (my body and the boxes of all my cats' ashes on a ship, which will be set on fire), plus a full orchestra playing Tschaikovsky's 1812 Overture. With real cannons.

    "Dirge" always makes me think of the stories my mother used to tell me of the the "wailers"--where she grew up in Ireland, there would be a group of *professional* wailers who would follow the funeral procession from the church to the graveyard. Wailing.

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  13. "Hurt" by Johnny Cash and "Mad World" by Gary Jules!

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  14. I never thought about it. I'll have to give it a think.

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