Why don’t we talk more about death?

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II for 70 years, will be remembered this coming Saturday, April 17, at Windsor Palace. He missed his 100th birthday by a scant two months, but realizing his death was inevitable, he took part in planning his funeral.

Prince Philip’s coffin will be driven from the State Entrance of the Castle to th West Steps of St. George’s Chapel on a specially modified Land Rover he helped design himself.

The Duke, who championed British design and engineering throughout his lifetime, is understood to have had a hand in commissioning two of the vehicles some years ago. While one will be used in his funeral procession, a second is available as a backup.

The coffin, draped in the Duke’s personal standard and with flowers, his Naval Cap and sword placed on top, will be carried from the State Entrance to the Land Rover by pallbearers from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards at 2.40 p.m.

At 2.45 p.m., Prince Charles and other members of the family will walk in procession behind the coffin along a route lined with socially distanced servicemen and women from across the Armed Forces.

At the West Steps, a bearer party from the Royal Marines will carry the coffin up to the doors of the Chapel as a Royal Naval pipe band plays, ahead of the minute’s silence. The intimate service (because of COVID-19, only 30 have been invited) will be conducted by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Dean of Windsor David Conner.

Prince Philip’s various insignia, including his Field Marshal’s baton and wings, will also be on display on cushions on the altar of the Chapel during the service.

At the end of the ceremony, the Duke’s coffin will be buried in the Royal Vault beneath the Chapel.

From all appearances, Prince Phillip had a lot to say when his funeral was planned. But, what about you? Have you thought about what you want at your funeral…or where you want it held, the music, anything you want to have read from the Bible, the Torah or the Koran? What about the food and beverages you want friends and families to enjoy?

Most of the time, families have no idea what their loved one wants for their final gathering, so they settled, instead for a very impersonal, plain vanilla service. It will probably include a reading of the 23rd Psalm, the group singing (ho-hum) “Amazing Grace” and a well-worn, reiteration of the clergy’s eulogy he wrote 10 years ago… probably so uninspiring nobody will remember. What you may or may not know is this: just because you plan your service doesn’t mean you’re going to die any sooner. And, after suffering through a pandemic and many of us losing family members who were perfectly healthy one minute and gasping their last breaths the next, the concept of funeral planning is not so far-fetched.

First and foremost, planning your service costs ted vaccin losing in a December runoff to Drew Springer, R-Muenster. Paxton drawing potential high-profile opponents Two candidates with famous surnames are planning to run against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2022, according to several media outlets. Paxton, under indictment since 2015 on securities fraud charges, is also battling a whistleblower lawsuit filed by former employees accusing him of bribery and improper dealings with an Austin investor. He denies wrongdoing in both cases. Democrat Joe Jaworski, a former Galveston mayor and a grandson of Watergate prosecutor Leon Jaworski, announced his plans to run last summer. And last week, George P. Bush, state land commissioner and grandson of President George H.W. Bush, told a talk-radio host that he is considering challenging Paxton next year in the Republican primary. Paxton has indicated he will run for a third term. Abbott demands shutdown of San Antonio minor facility The governor’s latest salvo against the federally nothing. It’s as simple as writing down what you want and giving your plan to your partner, an older child or someone you can count on. It’s always easier – after you’re gone – to know what you wanted.

Secondly, funeral directors want to work with a family to make the funeral reflect the life of a loved one. If you know a live band you want, the director can make those arrangements. If you’re a baseball fan, a funeral director can find a baseball diamond and will serve hotdogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks. If you liked to camp, the director can help plan a camp-out and can hold the service at sunrise. All you have to do is ask.

Back in the 1800s and until the mid-20th century, death was a constant intruder. Many women and their babies died in childbirth, children died of diseases we no longer worry about and the human life span was much shorter. Yes, people talked about death a lot because it was routine, a regular part of life. Now society acts like death is as much a taboo subject in polite conversation as religion and politics.

Now when someone dies, we don't know what to say, we stealthily leave a vase of flowers or a cake on the porch without ringing the doorbell. Clergy, rather than going directly to the family, await the call from the funeral home.

I am planning to watch at least part of Prince Phillip’s funeral. I was home sick with the mumps in 1952 when his wife Elizabeth II was crowned queen. I watched Princess Anne grow up, have seen the weddings, the break-ups and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren come along. I don’t consider myself a Royals Watcher – just a distant member of the family. RIP, HRH.