Planning my burial...

I never really thought about what grave goods I would want to be buried with if I was given the option to choose so I find this question very intriguing. It made me think of what items best represent me and my role in society as well as what items are so important to me that I would want to take them with me to the grave (and beyond?)  First of all, I think the item that best represents me at this stage in my life would be a textbook.  Right now my life seems to revolve around school (read, study, research, write, sleep, and then repeat) so being buried with a textbook seems appropriate. This might give archaeologists in the future some insight into my life.  Better yet, I would like to be buried with a detailed letter that describes myself (age at death, sex, social status, health, lineage etc.) and my society at the time of my death so if archaeologists dig me up in the future it will make interpretation easy! Wouldn't that be a treat?

There are several items that I can't live without so I would need to buried with them too. Chocolate and cheese are must-haves for me so I would take them along for sure. I would like to be buried in my favorite outfit - jeans and a hoodie - to make sure I am comfortable and cozy. I would wear two pieces of jewelry: my diamond earrings and a silver necklace. These are important to me because of the people who gave them to me and whenever I wear them I think of them.  I would like to have my ipod because I cannot last an entire day without listening to music so I like to bring it everywhere with me - my grave included. Finally, I would choose photos of my family and friends to be buried with because these people are so important to me.

I think these grave goods would show what and who is important to me in my life. Also, they give some insight into my culture through my clothes, technology, food, and objects of personal adornment.  I think if I were buried with the grave goods of my choice an archeologist in the future would hit the jackpot when they unburied me!

Or maybe I should just be cremated and have my ashes scattered into the ocean?