Marcy's Story

This is Marcy’s story – the remarkable experience she had of experiencing her own funeral in the flesh.

Family and friends gathered to celebrate Marcy’s 60th birthday at her dear friend Deena's beach house in Oceanside, California. It was a weekend of barefoot beach walks, decadent food and conversations that lingered until dawn.

But in the midst of Marcy’s milestone celebration, something extraordinary happened. Marcy witnessed her own funeral of sorts, a ceremony celebrating her life as though she were an observer at her own service.

Marcy sat among her dearest women friends and family and listened to the sentiments of each person as they placed a stone in a ceramic bowl. Each stone had a special word written on it, one each person chose to sum up Marcy – her gifts, her talents, her heart. The words on the rocks were lean and succinct, potent like poetry. Spirit. Caring. Fun. Nurturing … And everybody put their name on the back of their stone so Marcy would remember who chose which word. She loved the storytelling that unfolded, the reason each picked a particular word.

“It made me feel embraced and supported and loved,” Marcy said. “When you’re in a big family, you’re always a little bit insecure about your place in it. I had no idea people felt that way about me.”

Marcy’s thoughts bring to light Brene Brown’s best advice. The author and researcher says: “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.”

Today Marcy keeps her container of stones on her family room table and when she glances at them, she smiles.

“The rock ceremony was empowering,” she said. “When I take the risk of being who I truly am, I attract the right people to me --those who love and support my genuine self. My heart is full of love and gratitude. I believe that everyone should witness at least one funeral in their lifetime."