He wants to put the “fun” in “funeral.”
A terminally ill UK cancer patient is sending himself off in jubilant style — by holding a “Grim Reaper”-themed “death party” this weekend.
“These have been among the happiest months of my life,” Russ Pegrum told South West News Service of organizing the macabre wake, in which family and friends will dress up as the angel of death and enjoy pizza and beer.
“I’m wearing a shirt with skulls on it,” gushed the 49-year-old former factory worker of the “Farewell Badger”-esque festivities.
“One friend has bought a grim reaper costume,” said, adding that the guest list includes “people coming from school days and people I haven’t seen for 30-odd years.”
Pegrum had planned the pre-emptive going-away soirée after being told by doctors that he had months to live.
The unfortunate soul was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2018, SWNS reported. And while his cancer went into remission in March, it reared its head again three months later, prompting Pegrum to start another course of chemotherapy. By the end of his treatment, the poor fellow had lost nearly 60 pounds.
Russ Pegrum hangs with friends ahead of his macabre wake. Russ Pegrum / SWNS
His party will include beer, pizza and costumes. Russ Pegrum / SWNSUnfortunately, come September, doctors informed him that there was nothing more they could do, so Pegrum quit the chemo and decided to make the most of his remaining time on Earth.
Despite sporting a 9-centimeter tumor and being relegated to commuting long distances via wheelchair, the unflappable patient said he feels “100% better” since quitting the treatment.
“I’ve learned to enjoy my life,” declared Pegrum, who currently lives with mother and father, Brenda and Laurence.
Russ Pegrum (right front) is calling the gathering his “death party.” Russ Pegrum / SWNSOrganizing the end-of-life celebration — which the host has dubbed his “death party” — has been surprisingly “enjoyable” as well.
“Planning a funeral is a fairly unusual experience but it’s given me peace of mind,” said Pegrum, who’s selected the coffin and music and even penned his own eulogy, SWNS reported.
“When the time comes, everything will be how I’d like it to be,” he said of his celebration. Russ Pegrum / SWNSNaturally, throwing a “Grim Reaper”-themed wake while still alive might seem morbid, but Pegrum said “it’s making light of it and having a bit of fun.
“When the time comes, everything will be how I’d like it to be,” he said.
