It's your funeral! Plan the celebration of a lifetime--before it's too late

In this surprisingly fun handbook, humorist Benjamin (Funerals to Die For) instructs readers in both simple and novel ways to prepare for death. She begins with a consideration of what to do with humanly remains, whether that means an environmentally friendly coral reef burial or turning one's ashes into a vinyl record. Benjamin then considers how one's obituary, funeral, and legacy are all ripe for personal touches. For example, choosing the music to be played at one's funeral is a great way to allow one's individuality to shine. Among the lighthearted instruction and intriguing anecdotes (such as the rise of "rent-a-mourners" in the U.K.) stands the notion that planning one's own funeral is an act of love to those left behind. As such, readers are prompted to write down specific wishes and thoughts, including instructions for spreading ashes and what to do with digital assets such as email and social media accounts. Though some prompts are silly, such as "My Haunting Game Plan," the suggestions for making grieving easier for loved ones will be welcome to any reader. This illuminating, brisk guide breathes vibrant life into a topic many would rather avoid. (Aug.)

A light but practical guide to planning a funeral (for oneself or a loved one) by humorist Benjamin (Funerals To Die For: The Craziest, Creepiest, and Most Bizarre Funeral Traditions and Practices Ever). The book is rooted in Benjamin's research on funereal practices throughout the ages (including eco-friendly burials, minting cremains into an object like a vinyl record, and hiring mourners to fill out a funeral service), but it's mainly functional. Benjamin has information about the myriad options available for each component of a funeral and offers unintimidating worksheets and templates to help readers plan or pre-plan the event. This useful read contains helpful anecdotes to help readers look at the big picture of funeral planning and take care of details ahead of time. VERDICT Benjamin's humorous tone makes the dark subject matter more palatable; her book pairs well with Caitlin Doughty's Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory. Given the popularity of the "death-positive" movement, this title is recommended for any library's nonfiction collection, especially where "Death Cafe" programming is offered.--Thomas Beheler, Arlington P.L., VA

An Introduction to Your End According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average funeral today costs over $10,000. That's such a ridiculous amount of money that if you weren't already dead, the shock of it might kill you. It's enough to make you understand if your relatives chose to just dump your body in a field under cover of darkness. Yet, despite the expense, few people plan their funerals ahead of time. This is a disaster waiting to happen. What other event of such magnitude do people drop Benjamins galore on with no arrangements in place? Weddings, vacations, births of children, car purchases: most of us prepare for months, if not years, for such milestones. But none of those are sure to be a one-off. You could have any number of marriages. Dozens of vacations. Dozens of cars. Dozens of . . . children, God help you. With a funeral, you pretty much get one shot to nail it. But this defining moment of your existence (or nonexistence, as it were), the one chance for your friends and family to come together and remember who you were, what they loved about you, and how you left your mark on the world, is an afterthought. No, worse--it's an anti-thought, something many people avoid thinking about completely. This isn't healthy. You are going to be worm food one day, and it's time to deal with it. Which brings us to Nicolas Cage. Everyone loves Nicolas Cage. His films have made five billion dollars. He's got an Oscar. He named his son after Superman. Yes, he blew his fortune acquiring such esoteric items as a dinosaur skull, a pet octopus, and not one but two castles, but what's important is that in the middle of his spending spree, he realized he could not take any of it with him. One of Cage's many purchases was a nine-foot-tall pyramid tomb in a famous New Orleans cemetery. It's gleaming white and engraved with the Latin phrase OMNIA AB UNO (Everything from One). Still only in his mid-forties, he'd decided to take charge of his own afterlife in the most Nicolas Cage manner possible. No way was he letting his busload of ex-wives bury him under a simple tombstone. He looked death in the face and said, "I was Ghost Rider. Did you see that movie? It was absolutely murdered by the critics. Which I think was unfair because--anyway, my point is, you do not scare me." You need to be at least as rational as Nicolas Cage when it comes to planning your funeral. That is a very low bar. If the star of the direct-to-DVD film Vengeance: A Love Story has put his affairs in order, it's time to get serious. But not too serious. Because planning the biggest event of your afterlife should be a blast. A fun- eral, if you will. Within the pages of this book, you have the chance to make sure your send-off is exactly what you want it to be, whether that's a drunken bacchanalia or a sober, somber reflection on just how great you were. The decisions to make are many, as are the pitfalls to avoid. Every stage of the legacy-planning process will be considered, from selecting a burial outfit and accessories to choosing a funeral theme. Guided-journal elements and worksheets will not only help you think outside the coffin, but ensure that your wishes are recorded--which will be a massive help to your loved ones. Just imagine: your mourners screw up your send-off because they have to throw together a five-figure event in a couple of days while sobbing uncontrollably. Having a plan will both ensure that you get the funeral of your dreams and take the burden of major decisions off them. If all of this sounds too sad or scary to contemplate, it's okay. You're not alone. Take comfort in knowing that the best way to conquer your fears and anxiety about death is to face it head-on. Although you can't choose the time or manner of your demise, at least you can make sure you have a say in what happens after. By working out the details in advance, you won't have to cross your fingers that your spirit will find a way to communicate your funeral wishes through a psychic. And doesn't that make you feel just a little bit better? Planning your own funeral is an act of love, an important aspect of positive mental health, and--thanks to this book--it's going to be a heck of a lot of fun. Excerpted from It's Your Funeral!: Plan the Celebration of a LifetimeBefore It's Too Late by Kathy Benjamin All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.