As some of you know, I lost a beloved Aunt to ALS last week. The memorial is being held this Sunday, and people are travelling in from the four corners of the globe to attend.
The memorial itself will be very tasteful - the usual readings, beautiful music, and quiet time for remembrance. This part I heartily support.
HOWEVER. My uncle (my aunt’s widower) decided that the best way to honor his wife’s memory would be to throw a HUGE party. He got caterers, a band to play their favorite music, a tent, a dance floor, an open bar…the whole works. And again, I heartily support this. My aunt would have wanted it this way - she loved to get her whole family together and dance, eat good food, and make merry. It’s not at all disrespectful. She would have loved it.
HOWEVER (PART DEUX). Uncle John has also decided that this big party will be a costume party.
<boggle>
What on earth does one wear to a costume funeral party? I’m trying to think of some way to come as “shocked and appalled”, but I don’t quite have the creativity.
Help!!!
Anna
PS In fact, my aunt probably would have thought the idea is hilarious, and fully supported it as well. I think it may just be me having an issue.
You could come as something that represents your aunt’s interests; for example, if she loved gardening, come as a gardener with tool apron, big floppy hat, rubber boots . . .
Go as someone going to a funeral. Just wear whatever you’d normally wear to a funeral, but add a hat with a black veil and put streaks of mascara all over your face.
Otherwise, what were your aunt’s interests? A favorite character/actor might be appropriate; even if she had a corny joke she told over and over, you could go as a character from the joke, and tell it every chance you got.
I think that is a wonderful idea to celebrate someones life in such a happy way instead of the usual somber, sad way.
Dress up as something happy and cute. But comfortable, that way if you cry or need to lay down it’ll be allright. Good luck
How about you go as a superhero/heroine? Exotic, inspiring, yet not too “ghoulish” for the other mourners.
But I must say…if you think that this is the kind of thing your aunt would have gotten a kick out of, then by all means GO for it! She’d want you to be able to have as good a time as you can at a time like this.
Man, I love that idea. That’s awesome. I think I’d like a variation, though, a classic masquerade with elaborate costumes, wine, finery, the whole nine yards.
Here’s what you do. Get a model of a military ship. Put it on your head. Wander around carrying a globe. When someone asks what you are, intone somberly “I am become Death, Destroyer of Worlds.”
Similar to DanielWithrows suggestion, choose a favourite memory of your aunt, something you did together that really sticks in your memory, and then dress in theme with that, then when people ask why you are dressed like that you can tell them, "Well, this one time Auntie and I … " or “We used to go to the zoo all the time, she liked the tigers best, that’s why I am dressed this way”.
Or go as a flapper, flapper costumes are always cool.
