During the COVID-19 pandemic, the untimely loss of several friends and relatives forced me to confront my own mortality. To prepare, I hastily planned my own funeral — but with a twist. While it will include standard Roman Catholic rites, I also want a festive atmosphere, complete with a live musical band. Having survived the pandemic, I look back on that period in this nine-part blog series. These posts serve as both a personal retrospection and a practical guide for my eventual passing. In this first installment of the blog series, I provide context for my funeral plans and an overview of the 44 iconic songs I have chosen for the band to perform.