By Mick Holien
I have often considered since we prepare living will and make most other death-type arrangements in advance maybe it makes some sense that we do likewise with our obituary.
Now it is not exactly an original idea since some years back I read where someone started a business doing just that – He called it the Obituary Store – and I have considered doing g something like that for years.
And new technology prompts me to believe that rather than just an audio obit, subtle video of a late-in-life interview would be quite beneficial and my son points out with the clarity and resolution in modern cellular phone one wouldn’t even need a camera and tripod.
Usually what happens after a loved one’s death there generally is a family member who has it more together or maybe has some writing expertise and thus the job, like it or not, falls to them.
In most cases friends are quite anxious to read it yet family members often dread putting it together at the start of the mourning process.
So rather than having just another thing to worry about completing, why not have it prepared well in advance and maybe even placing it with your variety of wishes.
I was prompted to consider this after a call from as prominent Missoulian last week who is in his eighties and has asked me several times to write a biography that he could leave behind and let’s face it neither of us is getting any younger.
Those of us who are not fortunate enough to have a nuclear family probably have some part of their life that hasn’t been shared with the kids or maybe there is a new wife in the picture who has little knowledge of your early life.
My idea of after death obits would include the prompt interviewing of family members and would include guarantee of a timely turnaround.
Over the years I have interviewed many family members after a tragic occurrence took the life of a loved one, expertise that would be beneficial in this possible endeavor.
I am the curious type, have asked questions for a living for years and people have a tendency to open up to me often sharing things they haven’t told anyone.
While not sure I am looking for another job, I’ll let you know how it goes – Are you more than curious?
One thing about it, it will be interesting – Just sayin’
By Mick Holien
I have often considered since we prepare living will and make most other death-type arrangements in advance maybe it makes some sense that we do likewise with our obituary.
Now it is not exactly an original idea since some years back I read where someone started a business doing just that – He called it the Obituary Store – and I have considered doing g something like that for years.
And new technology prompts me to believe that rather than just an audio obit, subtle video of a late-in-life interview would be quite beneficial and my son points out with the clarity and resolution in modern cellular phone one wouldn’t even need a camera and tripod.
Usually what happens after a loved one’s death there generally is a family member who has it more together or maybe has some writing expertise and thus the job, like it or not, falls to them.
In most cases friends are quite anxious to read it yet family members often dread putting it together at the start of the mourning process.
So rather than having just another thing to worry about completing, why not have it prepared well in advance and maybe even placing it with your variety of wishes.
I was prompted to consider this after a call from as prominent Missoulian last week who is in his eighties and has asked me several times to write a biography that he could leave behind and let’s face it neither of us is getting any younger.
Those of us who are not fortunate enough to have a nuclear family probably have some part of their life that hasn’t been shared with the kids or maybe there is a new wife in the picture who has little knowledge of your early life.
My idea of after death obits would include the prompt interviewing of family members and would include guarantee of a timely turnaround.
Over the years I have interviewed many family members after a tragic occurrence took the life of a loved one, expertise that would be beneficial in this possible endeavor.
I am the curious type, have asked questions for a living for years and people have a tendency to open up to me often sharing things they haven’t told anyone.
While not sure I am looking for another job, I’ll let you know how it goes – Are you more than curious?
One thing about it, it will be interesting – Just sayin’
