Death & You: The best-case scenario
 

*TRIGGER WARNING: if the topic of death makes you anxious, seriously ill, or compels you to harm yourself in any way, please exit this thread immediately*

For the sake of discussion, let's assume that we're all going to die moderately peacefully. While this doesn't always happen, and some people are unfortunately taken by unforeseen circumstances (e.g.; accidents, murder), for the purpose of this thread, we'll focus on the best-case scenario for death.

Let's say that your death is peaceful. You've had a terminal illness for a long time, and your body has given up the fight. Or you're just an elderly vessel having traveled too many miles. Death is imminent. Nobody alive today can escape the ultimate end of life. You will die someday, and it's foolish to believe for one second that you won't.

If you're uncomfortable with the discussion of death, this is your final warning.

Otherwise, here's a few thought-provoking questions. (Be creative!!)

• If you were able to choose a manner of death, which would you prefer?
  
• Are there any albums/songs you wish to hear on your deathbed, or you'd prefer to be played at your funeral in your honor?
  
• If you had a notebook at your side on your deathbed, what would you write in it?
  
• Would you consider a pre or post-mortem photograph an appropriate move for the documentation of your life and death? (21st century people seem to be a little squeamish about this sort of thing.)
  
• If you had the chance to verbally communicate some final words with certain people in your life, who would they be? What would you tell them?
  
• If you had the opportunity to craft a Last Will and Testament type of document, what would the most important aspect be?

Note: This is not to be turned into any sort of religious debate, but if your religion is important to you and vital to this discussion, feel free to share without fear of judgment. :)

The best case scenario would be if a nuclear warhead detonated directly above be in two fecking seconds.

one thousand one, one thousand two... damn

That'd be quick and painless. Sounds just alright, and everyone goes with you, so you don't have to worry about leaving some sort of legacy.

Damn, dude.

I contemplate my death every day. Like a samurai. Not that I want to die but I know it's coming anytime and, for me, thinking about it makes it easier for me to live happily.

To answer your questions: no death preference, no music, no journaling, no loved ones, no final communications. Just goodbye. The thought of my death is what makes my life interesting because everything I love only matters while I'm alive.

In other words, the only thing you want to leave behind for those who are soon to follow are the memories you shared with them in life? I like that; it's simple. It's pretty. Ultimately, those people will follow, and the memories and memento-mori or whatever shit left from anyone will die with them, so I definitely see where you're coming from there.

I also agree that accepting your mortality makes life a lot easier. Not necessarily more meaningful or anything like that, but easier. For instance, you can think you really fucked something up on a particular day, but you know deep down it's nothing more than a momentary worry.

Yeah I suppose that gets at the root of it. There may be some things that I would want people to know that I never told them while I was alive so I guess a last testament would be good for that.

And yeah you're right on with the idea of momentary worry. I mean we all might die at any moment, and that makes the small-picture things even smaller.

I'll go down swinging, one way or the other. Or an overdose. Or a self-destructive accident of some kind. Frankly, a peaceful death isn't for me. I want it to hurt, I want it to be a ****ing event people witness and remember for better and/or worse.

No preference on music played at my deathbed/funeral. I'm dead, far as I'm concerned it don't matter.

Notebook... hmmmm... well, not so much a notebook. One of these days I'll get around to starting a band and get up to some crazy **** on the road. That'll be my notebook, the songs.

Don't care about photos/videos of me after I'm dead.

Definitely would confront my family about some things. Definitely would apologize for some things. If I could find my dad I'd call him out on being a piece of **** and probably punch him.

I don't own anything valuable. I would want my dog to go to good hands, though. I'm sure my family would be able to take her in though so she'd be set.

Not sure. Maybe being on a plane as it goes down and I know it's going to crash and I'm going to die.

You may enjoy this...


Bloodrock - D.O.A. - YouTube

Or, maybe not. :D

I like the idea of an elaborate framing with my death. Shoot myself in the head but bash myself with a bat a few times first and write on my leg "so-and-so is trying to kill me" in sharpie.

"I'd like to die like my father died... My father died ****ing. My father was 57 when he died. The woman was 18. My father came and went at the same time."
- Richard Pryor

I like the idea of it ending that way. It seems like the perfect way to complete the circle of life. :laughing:

Meh, I don't like the OP. I have always felt like I would die in some kind of tragic way in an accident of some sort.

I would kind of upset if I ended up dying in such a peaceful way like you described in the OP.

I don't mind painful deaths or drowning but the only one that I would definitely hate the most would probably be burning alive.

This is what I would say too for whatever reason. Ive had thoughts of me being on a plane and knowing its going to crash into the ocean. And while everyone on board is freaking out I just put my headphones on, close my eyes, and listen to either Oceanic by Isis or Horse Stories by Dirty Three as the plane goes down..

As long as it comes after a long life, is as pain-free as possible, and is as non-traumatic as possible for my loved ones, I'm ok with whatever.

Naked bloody and screaming, I hear if you live your life just right you can leave the same way.

I think dying peacefully sounds brilliant. I want to die in my sleep. People will cringe at this but I want With Or Without You by U2 played at my funeral.

-Quick and as painless as possible. In my sleep perhaps?

-Soo many songs I love, definitely something with the tone of Dust in the Wind (rational non-religious approach to death). No funerals, it is for my ears only.

-Nothing. My existence doesn't matter.

-No, I am not that self-important.

-Not sure if I would rather be alone or with the people I love, and I don't want or plan on having kids so this one is tricky.

-Last Will: Throw me naked in the woods to rot away into nature. We are not above the system.

I don't care how I die, I just want it to happen already. I was really counting on having cancer by now but it would appear I have to make something of my life after all.

Woe is me... what a lame thing mortality is. At least we have music to pretend its any sort of relevant for a short while.

If you were able to choose a manner of death, which would you prefer?

In a natural mental state. I don't wanna be drugged or asleep. I want to experience the moment I slip away.

Are there any albums/songs you wish to hear on your deathbed, or you'd prefer to be played at your funeral in your honor?

No. I'll be dead. They can play what they want.

If you had a notebook at your side on your deathbed, what would you write in it?

Nothing.

Would you consider a pre or post-mortem photograph an appropriate move for the documentation of your life and death? (21st century people seem to be a little squeamish about this sort of thing.)

No.

If you had the chance to verbally communicate some final words with certain people in your life, who would they be? What would you tell them?

Life's been good.

If you had the opportunity to craft a Last Will and Testament type of document, what would the most important aspect be?

I'd request everything I own and any money I have be donated to charities. Maybe donate my corpse to science too.