Hatrack River Forum: Who will Speak for You?

This is topic Who will Speak for You? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :

If you can have any famous person speak for your death, who would it be? I'm going to leave out family and friends, for they are of course the obvious choices. Assume for now that this famous person would know your life as well as anyone and would be qualified to speak at your funeral. You can select OSC I guess, but this would be a short thread if that were allowed. [Smile]

My pick would be David Sedaris. His ability to blend solemnity and humor, as well as his intrinsically funny speaking voice will undoubtedly make my funeral a riot to attend. [Smile]

Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :

Conan O'Brien and Eddie Izzard. I can't pick just one.

Posted by bunbun (Member # 6814) on :

Eric Idle, Mike Palin, or John Cleese.

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

Bunbun, you're my other new hero! [Wink]

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

May I just assume my friends and family are all going to end up famous, so I can pick one of them?

I would not honestly expect this, because it's hard to Speak for an immediate family member, but I think Dana is the most incredible Speaker I've ever heard. It never quite occured to me before that that was what she was doing at our Grandmother's funeral, but it was. Reverend Salem, who had been Grandma's pastor for over 60 years, gave the homily, but Dana Spoke.

She talked to as many relatives as she could first, so she Spoke not just from the perspective of a grandchild, but of the entire family. The rest of us wept.

I know when she does funeral services in her role as a minister she is giving a sermon, not a eulogy, so her role is to comfort and care for the living, not "just" to Speak the life of the dead, but from what she has told me of her efforts I'm sure she is trying to do both. She is always sad when she does a funeral for someone she doesn't know, who's relatives don't show up in time to talk to her and allow her to do a meaningful, personal sermon. The most regret I've ever heard her express about her vocation was when she said "It was a pretty generic funeral." She obviously believes everyone deserves better.

So I say it not just because she knows me so well, not just because I love her, but because her passion, eloquence, and empathy in this matter are completely unbelievable. She would make you laugh, she would make you cry, and she would make you know me better than you did before... and there is no one I would rather have Speak for me.

[ February 20, 2005, 01:45 PM: Message edited by: ElJay ]

Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :

Thank you, ElJay, for these Sunday morning waterworks. That was beautiful.
When my brother spoke at his grandmother's funeral(he is my stepbrother), he was given exactly five minutes, not a second more, by the priest.
One of my father's best friends is a Catholic priest, and he married us. He was amazing, and I would want him at the end, too, so I hope he stays healthy.
Famous quote from the wedding: "I have known Elizabeth since the day she was born, but this is the first time I saw her in a dress."

Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :

I hope no one will have to explain me when I die. Well, somewhere between that and I don't think anyone could explain me when I die. But I guess if the underlying question is who is a celebrity that I think understands me, probably Harold Ramis (who directed "Groundhog Day"). In addition to me really liking that movie, I identified most with his character in the "Ghostbusters" triumvirate.

P.S. I forgot to add that I really hope to outlive Harold Ramis. I don't know how old he is, but... well, whatever. Another thought is that I hope my future children-in-law are clamoring for the chance to get to speak for me.

[ February 20, 2005, 09:41 AM: Message edited by: mothertree ]

Posted by Occasional (Member # 5860) on :

I would never, ever have anyone famous speak for me. They don't even come close to the way I understand the World. In fact, I detest most famous people no matter how much I might like their work.

Ok, I will grovel to the idea and say former President Ronald Reagan. He had a way with words, and I feel he holds the closest to my views. Just for the record, although I largely support G.W.Bush as President, I don't think he is a good speaker and at times too brash for my more private personality. That is if we are picking living famous people.

[ February 20, 2005, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: Occasional ]

Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :

"I have always secretly hoped that some beautiful, tearful woman will sing 'You're the Best Thing that Ever Happened to Me.'"

[Big Grin]

In all seriousness, though, I don't think I want to be Spoken for (though spoken for might not be so bad, from what I hear [Wink]

). I think what I want, if there is to be some sort of memorial service for me... well, no speeches. Just music. If I compose anything appropriate in my lifetime, then that. If I don't, then someone could perform some of my favourite pieces.

I find that when it comes to death words are simply inadequate. Only music is transcendant enough.

Posted by narrativium (Member # 3230) on :

Shlomo. Because by the time I die, he will be the supreme ruler of the world. And he's my cousin, too!

Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :

I bet if Jesus showed up to give the eulogy that would not only impress the hell out of my snooty sister but would also win me some serious brownie points upstairs.

Posted by foundling (Member # 6348) on :

And, if Jesus spoke for you, everybody would HAVE to cry at your funeral. Even those snotty teenage cousins smoking pot in the back room.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

I think Steve Drake would be a good choice. *smiles at sndrake*

Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :

I don't know who would be voicing it, but it would definitely be a sock puppet.

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

Narr: Shlomo is your cousin? Did I know that?

Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :

[Laugh]

Da_Goat

[ February 21, 2005, 03:14 AM: Message edited by: Mr.Funny ]

Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :

"And, if Jesus spoke for you, everybody would HAVE to cry at your funeral. Even those snotty teenage cousins smoking pot in the back room."

Yeah, but what if he revealed all those uncalled for inner thoughts you have that you would be horrified to have revealed.

"She always hated your chicken soup, and that hair? You call that a color?"

Etc.

Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :

I'd like a tribute that highlighted the absurd as well as the good of my existence. I'm thinking Andy Rooney would fit the bill quite well.