Washington Man Takes Commissions to Deliver the Dead's Final Words, Secrets and Pranks

WASHINGTON, U.S. — A man who describes himself as a professional funeral crasher says he is paid to carry out the last wishes of the dying, however strange or "uncomfortable" they may be, according to a report in the Daily Star.

Joshua Weaver, 43, of Washington, told the newspaper that his commissions include confessions of love, hate and secrets, recovery of sensitive assets, final messages, dark humour and pranks. Some, he said, involve revealing that the deceased was unfaithful. He said there is a good deal of grief and secrecy in his work, since people lead lives their loved ones may not know about.

Other requests are gentler. One client asked that a crate of her favourite chardonnay be buried with her. Another, pestered for a secret chocolate chip cookie recipe, wants it carved on her tombstone. A third has asked him to stand at the back of her funeral in dark glasses, looking mysterious. One woman, who felt she had been a burden to her family, asked him to hand out seed cards so mourners might plant wildflowers in her memory.

Mr. Weaver said the idea came during the pandemic, when he could no longer work in hospitality. He had read an interview with Bill Edgar, an Australian private detective known as the "Coffin Confessor", who was once asked by a client to disrupt his funeral and reveal an affair. His first client, Mr. Weaver said, was a dying friend who asked him to thank two hospice carers verbally.

He also says he will see pets safely to new homes. He sets limits at illegal confessions, as he does not wish to incriminate himself. He lists his services on a website and said the work has made him put his phone away and tell people they matter. "You need to say them now," he said of important words.