Conversations about funerals are usually avoided at all costs, but journalist and director Reshma Gopaldas turned one into a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud moment that the internet can’t get enough of.
In a video shared back in July, titled “My mom & aunt tell me what they want for their funerals – they brought it up!”, Gopaldas revealed she simply followed up on a conversation they had earlier to make sure she “didn’t miss any details.” The results were equal parts blunt, funny, and oddly comforting.
Check out the video below:
So, what do women want for their funeral?
When asked what she’d want for her funeral, Gopaldas’ aunt didn’t miss a beat. She stated, "I want a cardboard box. And we usually get cremated. So in the cardboard box, they can put a nice bottle of perfume because I like things that smell good, and that's about it."
And where should her ashes go? The reply was as unfiltered as it gets: "In the garbage, I don't care. I have a dumpster outside our building, and it can just be put in there. I think it'll go in the recycling bin."
Her mother’s response was gentler, though equally unfussy: "I don't really care, but I remember that my mother wanted her ashes in the backyard because she used to garden. So I'm actually very flexible." But she did stress one non-negotiable, "I'm very particular about a cardboard box. I do not want mahogany."
Internet reacts
Viewers were instantly amazed by the women’s wit and honesty. One user gushed, "Your aunt is amazing… honestly, I hope I can be that clear and confident one day." Another wrote, "They are awesome. This conversation, serious or not, needs to be normalised."
Some even shared personal reflections: "I wish we listened to our dad when he said he wanted to be cremated… his ashes would have been with us wherever we went."
And of course, there were those who just wanted to meet them: "These two are brilliant. I’d love to have a cuppa and chat with them. Would make my day ❤️"
