The idea came to me while reading about death and studying spiritual teachings about what happens when we die.
Many spiritual teachings stress the lack of meaning in the physical body.
A common theme among religions and spiritual teachings is that death is not the end.
Beyond that basic theme, there are wide differences about what actually does happen to our spirit, or mind, or soul after death.
Many believe that our treatment of the body after death is significant.
I respect that view.
However, many of us believe that the body can be quickly returned to dust via cremation with no consequences for the spirit or soul or essence.
For me, there is no special meaning or spiritual significance to dressing up a body and gazing at a lifeless form.
I know many who consider themselves atheists and it is especially awkward to hear priests and ministers discuss the life of a deceased atheist in religious terms at a funeral ceremony.
Often they project ideas onto the deceased that simply were not true for them.
This is certainly kind and well-intentioned, but is it really necessary? I personally have a deep belief in God, but not a God who has any interest in my funeral.
I prefer to go quietly, and opt for a speedy cremation.
That would be followed a day or two later by an open house where my family invites friends and relatives to visit and share whatever they wish to share.
The open house can last all day with no formal service or prayers or bowed heads.
Gather to mark my passing from the world and release the memory of me to the universe.
The point is to make it a quiet gathering informal and low-key.
Cry if you are moved to tears and laugh if you know how much I loved jokes and irony.
Tell a joke in my honor.
I do not mean it to sound irreverent or crude.
For me, death is not an occasion for church ceremony or long-winded testimonies.
It's an occasion for a knowing smile, a time to recognize that I did not give death any significance.
There is a separation that can be painful.
I would suggest that no service or memorial helps relieve that pain, This is not about money, but we are talking about leaving this world without spending thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to say good-bye.
Cremation runs somewhere between $500 and $1000.
That includes a temporary urn.
My ashes can be scattered right from the temporary urn into the nearest river.
After that, the only cost will be refreshments for an open house.
There is one other issue I encountered in thinking about the modest funeral.
That is the online life.
There is something unsettling about receiving e-mails and tweets after you're gone, not to mention online accounts that need to be closed.
Not surprisingly, there are some very good services available to handle your digital life after death.
Entrustet.
com is one such service and there are many others..
Play a favorite song or two at an open house and tell one of my favorite jokes if you can remember one.
That's more than enough of a memorial for me.
Example? Did you hear about the poor guy who had his whole left side blown off? He's all right now.