Craig Dunford missed his friend’s funeral and promised himself he’d be more faithful in checking the obituary page every day. Little did he know that reading about the dead would give him the tools to really begin living.

It all started when he came across a first-person obituary, written by a 30-year-old wife, mother, and friend who felt she was taken too soon. It was brimming with humor, pathos, and well, Life. He decided he would try to write what was important to him, and found himself having to live up to his own obituary!

Over the years Craig has collected many self-written obituaries from young to old, rich to poor, and from all walks of life. These life stories are filled sympathy, wit, intelligence and history. He updates his obituary regularly and has decided to have the last word on all aspects of his departure.

Have you always wanted the last word? Write your own obituary and you can achieve that goal. Want a green funeral? You can be buried in a biodegradable clamshell. Were you the jewel of someone’s life? Turn yourself into a blue diamond. Craig will tell you how. Are you afraid nobody will come to your big event? Hire a professional mourner. Not enough friends to carry you to your final resting place? Throw pall bearer cocktail parties and you can pick and choose those who will carry you home over martinis and cheese.

This resource guide provokes thought and action. It teaches but doesn’t preach. There are few more eye-opening activities than defining what is important to one’s self than writing your own obituary.