I'm horribly vain and a bit morbid

[BruceAndNosh]

So I'm watching the news with DH and there is a backdrop montage of photos of those who have sadly died.
And I tell him which (flattering) photo of me he should release to the Press in the event of my death.

I just don't want to be remembered floating behind George Alagiah's head wearing something ill fitting which makes my bum look huge.

I'm a bad person

That’s a really odd thing to be concerned about.

People who know you will remember you as you are, not a photo. People who don’t won’t remember seeing a random picture on the news.

What an odd and very vain thing to be thinking about.

I'm a bad person

Well, if you are, I am.

And I don't think we are.

If I go missing, I'll never get found because the one photo of me that looks okay (ie like I look in my head, before I catch an unexpected glimpse in the mirror or, worse, on face time) actually looks nothing like me in reality.

Some reasonably average-looker will be permanently being rescued by people mistaking them for me.

Jesus wept.

That hadn't even crossed my radar, not even fleetingly

..and I'm washing my shopping

I’m assuming this is at least a little bit lighthearted and on that basis it’s perfectly reasonable. Same as I’ve told DP that if I die and he dares to leave flowers on my grave whilst still in their cellophane, I will haunt him forever.

I guess I've always been interested in photos used of strangers in the news. Someone is in the headlines and the Press use several different pictures and I think "that doesn't even look like the same person"

Of course you're not a bad person and I think you are being lighthearted!
I think most people hope they would have a picture on show where they don't look like Gollum!

This really isn’t appropriate OP

I think our ability to process the truth about this horror is limited, so our way of protecting ourselves and not crumbling is, in many cases, to trivialise the situation- such as focusing on a photograph. It’s much easier to process and discuss, than your own mortality. It doesn’t mean you aren’t empathetic, just protecting yourself.

There are no photos of me in existence past childhood - only few that are are ten years old and I was well fit then, so I’ll be safe.

Well it's semi light hearted, as much as anything can be when faced with an untimely death.
Not sure if it actually deserves a biscuit though @LadyPenelope68

I get the same thoughts OP
Doesn’t mean I’m not taking the virus seriously, it’s possible to see a funny side to the news.

(Of course, no one who’s seen me in the past few years would recognise old me as the fat wreck I am now so they would be confused).

I know!

I wonder how they choose the photos, do they go for the flattering ones, or do they choose some "character" photos?

LaMarschallin excellent point.

I guess I also have to choose between vanity and being rescued.

I’ll need a moment to consider it.

I honestly don’t think I’d recognise a Missing/dangerous person if they came right up to me and asked to borrow a quid. Seeing a picture for 15 seconds (or a poster in my example) isn’t enough for it to register in my head.

I once had a really flattering passport photo (I was gutted when I had to replace it). I showed it to my friend who said "if you ever go missing or get murdered, I'll make sure your mum uses that picture"

I get it.

Same as I’ve told DP that if I die and he dares to leave flowers on my grave whilst still in their cellophane, I will haunt him forever.

Yikes!
Good point - I hadn't thought of that.

We've just been organising our wills (pure coincidence; appointment made before CV became a "thing") - I should have made that a clause or codicil or whatever they have.

(I did mention that I didn't want him to carry on with a stiff upper lip during the funeral, and that I fully expect much wailing and an attempt to fling himself onto my coffin shouting "Don't leave me, LaMar!!".
But I don't think he took me seriously.

He obviously hasn't posted on this thread...)

I'm sorry if I'm being inappropriate.
We spent a long time choosing the photo of my mother to put on her order of service for her funeral. We wanted something that caught the essence of her in a single image

I don't want something capturing my essence. I want a photo where I look good.

I have stage four cancer and have already discussed with my sister the importance of her choosing the photographs for my memorial card. My husband can't seem to see the difference in a double chinned ham armed picture and one where I look reasonably attractive while I'm alive so I have no faith in his picture choosing ability when I'm gone!

ChardonnaysPetDragon

I don't want something capturing my essence. I want a photo where I look good.

I've noticed that when older celebs sadly die, media post photos of them in their youth. I like that.

I guess we all better get practising using filters and taking gorgeous selfies for our obituaries.

I know...not that I don't give good essence.

But those who know me know how lovely I am anyway, and those who don't won't care.