A Letter From Our Founder

As a pastor's wife of 35 years, I witness first hand the additional and needless heartache families suffer at the time of death when a plan has not been in place for arrangements.

Expenses are incurred, at times exorbitant, guided by funeral home directors playing on the emotions of hurting loved ones. Family relationships are strained as individuals strive to steer the rudderless ship.

" I think that this is the way she would have wanted it,"


...is the only compass directing the course, another sad reminder of the current void.

However, I also witness another kind of event, one where individuals humbly acknowledge their own mortality and lovingly develop a plan.

They determine whether they want to be buried, cremated or their organs donated. They choose service options and carefully set a budget. They set aside money to cover expenses and notified at least one other person about their preparations. They record favorite life verses or quotes, their spiritual beliefs and songs that had meant a lot to them. In short, they prepare their own farewell, a personal and thoughtful goodbye to those they love.

How do these two scenarios play out at the time of a funeral or memorial service?

The former is a somber affair which exudes the sense of loss. Closure is difficult, because family may always wonder if they did things right. On the other hand, a service which includes the deceased actual wishes, although still tender, becomes a comforting celebration of his life and an initiation of accepting its end.

The ripple effect of these two types of events on the larger community is dramatic. One either divides and alienates friends and family or enriches and affirms.

Out of this passion for what should and can be MyGoodbye.com was birthed: A simple and cost effective way to restore life to the death process by providing pre-planning and at need resources. Our goal is to serve families with compassionate, consumer friendly and community enriching direction for end of life needs.

Here to serve you,

Shirley Walker