This is a letter to the people who hold me dear, if faced with my death. I am writing this in November, 2021. I don’t know when I will die. Hopefully, it may not be too soon. What if I do end up dying soon? That is what I am trying to address here. A protocol for my own death.

tldr: I am dead. Move on as fast as you can. Life is always meant for the living.

What to do with my body

I initially thought of instructing that my body be burned. I don’t have any problem with burial either. I like the concept of letting “the flora and fauna feed on my body as I have fed on them all my life” (those are Neil Degrasse Tyson’s words, not mine)

The fact of the matter is, I don’t have a claim on my body after I am dead. The only thing I ask is that no religious ceremonies/traditions be followed while burning or cremating. Burn, bury, or donate me or my parts as you wish. Just get it over with soon enough, and move on with your lives.

Want to do something extra?

If you really feel like doing something extra in my honor, this is what I would like: Have a drink of whatever you like. Actually not whatever you like. Let’s make it what I like (this is to honor me after all, right?).

You can choose from these three (or all three if you’re crazy enough😀️):

• The strongest coffee you can make, with no sugar. Eat some marble cake while you’re at it.

• Ice-cold beer served in a 1-litre glass jug. Have some spicy chicken to go with it.

• Old Monk Rum! This is what I would really like you to have. Old Monk with ice and water(that’s right. No coke!). Have some fried nettoli(sardine) along with it😘️

What to do with my belongings

I don’t really know.

You can keep anything you want. Burn the rest.

Final thoughts

You may feel a lack of sensitivity in my words till now, but that is not my intent.

Life is for the living. The dead are, after all, dead. There may not be any meaning to this life, but even then life is the greatest of all phenomenons, the greatest gift of all. Don’t waste any moment. Live life to the fullest. As free as you can.

I am grateful that I have met you, my people. I have truly enjoyed this ride. Now you may carry on without me. Don’t you shed a tear. Carry me in your thoughts, and honor me with your smiles. I have lived, to the best of my ability. I wish you a wonderful life ahead.

Love.