Woman Hosts Her Own Funeral at 80 to Avoid 'Fear of Missing Out'
Shelvy Neal celebrated her birthday by inviting loved ones to a pre-funeral gathering, wanting to be present for the tributes.
A Georgia woman, Shelvy Neal, celebrated her 80th birthday by hosting her own funeral, driven by a desire to experience the tributes and commemorations she would miss in person. Dubbed a 'FOMO funeral' for her fear of missing out, the event was held over the weekend in Macon-Bibb County.
Neal, who lives in central Georgia, decided to organize the unusual celebration after her husband, Gary, passed away in March. She shared that the idea came to her with the thought, "You know, I'd love to be at my own funeral," a sentiment her daughter supported.
The funeral took place at a property that Neal and her husband had owned for approximately 25 years before selling it to a funeral home in 2020. This location provided a familiar setting for the unique event.
Neal approached the event with a sense of humor and control, wearing a sash that read 'Back by popular demand.' A cake at the celebration featured the inscription, 'She refuses to miss anything… especially her own funeral.' The guest of honor was also the guest speaker, and she gave her family and friends the opportunity to share words in remembrance. Neal playfully stated that if anyone chose to say negative things, she would be present to "and I might cut the mic. I'm gonna control my own funeral."
Approximately 100 people attended the combined birthday and funeral celebration. Attendees shared moments from the event on social media, describing it as "awesome" and "a funeral like no other."
Neal expressed her hope that the event would be easier on her family in the long run and emphasized her desire for the occasion to be fun, noting that "funeral is F-U-N. And I like fun." Looking ahead, Neal stated that when her actual time comes, she prefers a simple service rather than a traditional funeral.