22 Words

22 Words

A blog tip I almost guarantee you’ve never heard before: Write a post for when you die.

If you don’t prepare a posthumous post, your site will seem randomly cut off.

Why not choose now your final online words?

Category: Blogging

50 Responses

  1. 1
    rhodri89 says:

    Didn’t think about that, thanks.

    My death post takes much inspiration from the book of Ecclesiastes.

  2. 2
    Myrddin says:

    How does one pre-date that? Or do you put it in your will?

    I can think of a few quotes that I wouldn’t mind having as my last post … Peter Pan, Sidney Carton, Markel in The Brothers Karamazov, Alyosha at the Stone.

    I’ve also thought it would be interesting to video tape a message for people at the funeral.

  3. 3
    Jerry says:

    I have already written my funeral sermon, so I guess that a final blog post is not too far out there.

    It would be as simple as be leaving your password and URL in a sealed envelope along with your will (and my funeral sermon) with instructions that your survivor post the pre-written blog entry.

  4. 4
    Will says:

    While it’s probably a good idea, I’m sure all two readers of my blog will be well aware by other means that I’ve died. You should qualify that for people who actually have strangers that read their blog, but to work that into 22 words….

  5. 5
    Will says:

    Since I change my password so often, I think I’ll do this.

    I’ll write a program that every 108 minutes requires you to enter:

    4 8 15 16 23 42

    if you don’t type that in every 108 minutes, it will automatically post the “farewell blog entry”.

  6. 6
    Dave says:

    do you have any suggestions for a post-rapture blog entry for friends and family that have been left behind? i know there are sites that make you pay for that sort of thing, but if i can figure out how to do it on my own, i would be most grateful.

  7. 7
    cland13 says:

    Here’s my post-rapture entry:

    “Ummm…so I guess I was wrong about that Amillenial thing….maybe you should watch those Left Behind movies after all.”

    Seriously though, I would like to see Abraham’s 22 word blog obituary.

  8. 8

    It says something along the lines of Thanks for reading and I probably won’t be blogging much anymore.

  9. 9
    kari says:

    Will-
    You must be Lost.

    :)

  10. 10

    I’ve been meaning to do that, but how do I publish it just in due time? Interesting tip, by the way.

  11. 11
    Julie says:

    Your post + following comments have brought a very satisfying chuckle this morning. Don’t know if that was anyone’s intention, but thanks!

  12. 12
    Gavin says:

    I, Gavin, hereby declare, that upon my death Abraham Piper shall receive my Tom Brokaw bobblehead.

  13. 13
    Rosanna says:

    Lovely. Just the thought to bring on that holiday cheer. ;)

    My post would say: I’m dead. Look for me in heaven… I’ll be the one singing the loudest. See ya!

  14. 14
    Chris T. says:

    Just to buck the trend here, I might just decide continue blogging after I am dead. Assuming I have wireless access, that is.

  15. 15

    I’ve actually thought about all the unfinished blog posts and other things that I’ll leave behind when I die, but I’ve never thought about preparing a posthumous blog post! I will now, though. BTW, I’m thoroughly enjoying some of the responses. Great post.

  16. 16
    Laurie says:

    Oh Abraham! You’re too young to consider death!
    Then I remember untimely deaths of friends “too young to die”.
    Last words never satisfy.

    (Sorry about the reality downer amidst fun banter.) I do love Rosanna’s last post!

  17. 17
    bryan says:

    Final Post:

    “The End”

  18. 18
    Rob Hulson says:

    Funniest thing I’ve read today, and it’s only 10:45am. I imagine it will last the day. Not sure that you meant it to be funny, but man.

    What about updating your Facebook status?

    “Rob Hulson will no longer respond to anything you write on his wall.”

  19. 19
    dave bish says:

    The knowledge that every post could be my last is a helpful guide ahead of clicking ‘publish’.

  20. 20
    Phoebe says:

    But Laurie, Abraham has been trained to think about the imminence of death. Ever read “Don’t Waste Your Life,” by his papa?

    I think last words can bring an amount of closure, though death is always an unnatural thing that requires us to turn to God.

  21. 21
    Nancy says:

    That’s just “creepy”…When everything is said and done…You just have to say one more thing!

  22. 22
    carissa says:

    i think about death sometimes and i’m only 21. it’s not that creepy, is it?

    i don’t think i’d write a last blog post . . . it’s kind of like life, right? if you lived (wrote) it well, you’ll have already said what you wanted to say and no need for a grand finale. :]

  23. 23
    MrsMK says:

    Thanks, I needed that! hehehe!
    My blogging has felt a bit forced lately….. maybe this will perk me up!

  24. 24
    JoeS says:

    Planning last words sounds difficult. If you speak them and find yourself with more time than expected, do you just stop talking?

  25. 25
    Mary Decker says:

    This was thought-provoking enough to draw me out of lurkdom, and the comments have cracked me up, especially the one about continuing blogging from heaven with wireless!

  26. 26
    ED... says:

    I suspect the last twitter posts will be more informative.

    “Just off to fly a kite on the roof of my house. Nice windy day!”

    “Told my wife to put the yellow pages away. I’m going to have a go at it myself”

    “There’s a thaw coming, so this will be the last day for the ice fishing.”

    “I’m going to give that psycho a piece of my mind!”

    etc etc

  27. 27
  28. 28
    Laurie says:

    Abraham, This IS an excellent tip and one I’ve thought about, not so much about preparing a posthumous post, but being randomly cut off. Creepy, but true. Another great writing assignment!

    Phoebe,I probably digress from Abraham’s post. “Last words” reminded me of the fresh grief a few dear friends are experiencing.
    The imminence of death keeps us anchored to Christ, our Life, and ready to go!
    On one hand we can laugh at death (Oh death where is your sting?)_ On the other hand…Death IS a curse….
    Though last words can bring some amount of closure, even those don’t go far enough to satisfy the grief of loved ones left behind.

    PS I love your name! Our daughter, Tabitha, was almost Phoebe!

  29. 29
    Em says:

    LOL
    You have all put a smile on my face, thanks! (Which after the day I’ve had was quite a relief).

    thanks! :)

  30. 30
    Shannon Archer says:

    I don’t have a blog as of yet but I think I should probably get a will done before I worry about saying goodbye on-line…but the idea does make strange sense.

  31. 31

    Shannon, one may not be more important than the other, but it sure is easier.

  32. 32

    actually i HAVE thought of this. but i thought it was too morbid. i’m glad i’m not the only weird one who thinks about my untimely demise. :)

    i agree. best to keep it humorous.

  33. 33
    Frank Turk says:

    Why not just write every post as if it was going to be your last?

  34. 34
    Chris T. says:

    I think that we should write every comment on blogs as if it was going to be our last as well.

    Goodbye.

  35. 35
    Phoebe says:

    Amen, Laurie. Your proximity to death at this time gives you a different perspective than me, who at the moment has to keep reminded to live in the expectation of heaven, not earthly glory. Good to meet you!

  36. 36

    Frank,

    People would get tired of me saying I’m dead; it’s been a good run; thanks for reading.

  37. 37
    Annie says:

    Besides, if you wrote that each time Abraham, that would waste 10 of your 22 words.

    I’ve never thought about a last blog post, but I have considered leaving the password to my e-mail account somewhere so that people would at least know I was dead. Maybe I’ll just have to leave a final e-mail and a final blog post with my will, if I ever get around to writing it

  38. 38
    Deron Arnold says:

    Abraham, have you ever gone over 22 words in one of your posts? I mean, you’re getting near the end but you

  39. 39
    Debby says:

    I’d like mine to be, just as I say to my little ones after meal time, “All done.”

    (With accompanying sign language, of course).

  40. 40
    Jason Davis says:

    Interestingly a friend of mine died recently and his blog brought much comfort to me. He had recently written a few thoughts on the passing of Larry Norman. If you think about it would you please pray for my friends wife and five young children?

  41. 41
    karen says:

    AP- Ok. So, are you going to reveal part of your posthumous post? Mine has some Thomas Lynch dark undertaker type humor, hopefully girded by the gospel.

  42. 42
    Frank Turk says:

    Abraham:

    That’s not much of a last post. It does, however, bring things to a conclusion.

  43. 43

    This has been the funniest set of comments I’ve ever read on a blog post. I cannot stop laughing.

  44. 44
    Anita says:

    Interesting thought process here. Makes ya think a bit. I have no idea what I’d write.

  45. 45
    Chris says:

    Mine will have to include Psalms37:4.
    He has done that, and more…

  46. 46
    BenHoak says:

    Ok, I’m a little late, but Will, I cracked up at your 108-minute program. Nice.

    And ED, in redneck country, the last tweet would be along the lines of “Here, hold my beer and watch this!”

  47. 47
    Barbara says:

    The Redneck tweet. So funny!

  48. 48
    Elizabeth says:

    I just came across this 5/Sept/09. Have written notes for my funeral/memorial service in/when the event but nothing like a blog post.
    Two years ago today my father-in-law entered God’s presence, btw

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