Garrett Michael Matthias, a 5 year old boy from Iowa (pictured above) who was battling a rare form of cancer, wrote his own obituary. His parents asked him questions, and the answers populated a touching obituary displayed online at Hamilton’s Funeral and After Life Services. Some of his thoughts included words he couldn’t even pronounce:
“My name is: Garrett Michael Boofias
My birthday is: I am 5 years old
My favorite superhero is: Batman…and Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk and Cyborg
My favorite people are:
• Mommy, Daddy, my sister ‘Delcina’ (Delphina),
• Batman!!
Burned or Buried: I want to be burned (like when Thor’s Mommy died) and made into a tree so I can live in it when I’m a gorilla
Big or Small Funeral: Funerals are sad: I want 5 bouncy houses (because I’m 5), Batman, and snow cones”
While it is certainly an unusual and highly sad occurrence for a five year old and his parents to have to plan for a funeral and other end-of-life wishes, it is important for everyone to do.
Before my father passed, he had written his own obituary to ensure that he acknowledged all the individuals he wanted to and to save my sister and I the burden of another difficult task during our time of need. It is one of the reasons why we include sample obituaries and a place for you to write your own obituary in our Future File system. It’s one of the many items that it is prudent to think through as you plan and prepare loved ones for dealing with emergencies, aging issues or death (whether expected or unexpected).
Everything you do for your loved ones is a burden they don’t have to bear during their greatest time of need. We don’t like to think about it, but it is the greatest gift you can give your loved ones.
