I want to be buried without pants

Dear Pastor,

I used to be a bit worried about my future, but since I gave my life to Jesus Christ, I have no fear of it.

My life here on earth is just for a short time, and I am just living in this earthly tabernacle and awaiting my heavenly body. I can't wait to exit this earthly tabernacle, and sometimes my soul feels so trapped in this body and wants to exit it.

I have already planned for a simple funeral, when I should leave this body and be with God. I have already asked my friend to place me in a simple, old-time coffin designed as a cross fitted with glass at the top. I want to be buried in a shirt with a tie and no pants. The pants should be given to the poor. The money collected in the church should be given to the poor in Half-Way Tree, because Bethel Baptist will be the church where the funeral will be held. I would also want to do a video with me preaching the sermon.

My soul will be in Heaven under the altar.

P.H.

Dear P. H.,

I have, for these many years, enjoyed writing this column. I take my work seriously.

But there are times when I have to laugh. When I read this letter, I laughed. Why would a man make such strange requests? You don't want your undertaker or those who are responsible for your funeral to put pants on your body, but you request that they should dress you in a shirt and tie. You say that your pants should be given to the poor.

I hope that you will go to the Bethel Baptist Church and tell the pastor how the offering should be disbursed. Evidently, you don't care to know that the church has bills to pay. Every funeral that is conducted in a church, the church incurs a certain amount of expenses. Somebody has to clean the church and get it ready for the service, and toiletries have to be bought. After the funeral, the church has to be cleaned again. The organist or pianist has to be paid. But you don't mention these things; you just want the money to be given to the poor in Half-Way Tree.

Why do you want to preach at your own funeral? Your letter is rather humorous. I suggest that you discuss your request with those who are in charge of the Bethel Baptist Church and hear how they react. I wish you well, dear sir.

Pastor