Hastings Tribune Obituaries Hastings Ne

So, there I was, scrolling through my grandma's Facebook feed (yes, she's on there, and no, she doesn't know how to use it properly), when I stumbled upon a post that made me do a double-take. It was an obituary. For a local. In Hastings, no less. Now, I know what you're thinking, "What's so strange about that, buddy? People die every day." Well, sure, but this wasn't your average, "beloved husband and father" kinda obit. No, this was something else entirely.

Meet the Hastings Tribune Obituaries

You see, the Hastings Tribune has a unique way of saying goodbye to its departed. It's not all doom and gloom, folks. Oh no, they've got a sense of humor up there in Hastings. A dark, sometimes twisted sense of humor, but a sense of humor nonetheless. And I, for one, am here for it.

Obituaries with a Twist

Take old Mr. Thompson, for instance. Now, I didn't know the man, but according to his obituary, he was quite the character. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, which, let's be honest, is the way we'd all like to go. But here's where it gets interesting. The obit read, "Mr. Thompson finally got the good night's sleep he deserved after 87 years of trying." I mean, come on! That's hilarious. In a dark, slightly inappropriate kind of way, but still, it made me laugh.

And it's not just the humor that sets these obituaries apart. It's the stories they tell. Each one is a little snapshot into the life of the person who's passed. Like Mrs. Davis, who was known for her incredible apple pie. Her obit read, "She was preceded in death by her husband, John, and her beloved dog, Fido. She was also preceded by her famous apple pie recipe, which, despite her best efforts, she took to her grave." I mean, how's that for a eulogy?

Kenneth H. Fike | Obituaries | hastingstribune.com

Why the Hastings Way?

So, why the unique approach, you ask? Well, according to the Hastings Tribune's editor, it's all about celebrating life. "Death is a part of life," she said, "and it shouldn't be all somber and serious. People have lived full, interesting lives, and their obituaries should reflect that."

And I gotta say, I agree. It's a refreshing change from the standard, "he was a good man, he'll be missed" fare we usually see. It's real. It's honest. It's sometimes even a little bit weird. But it's always, always human.

Janet K. Johnson | Obituaries | hastingstribune.com

So, What's the Verdict?

Now, I'm not saying we should all start cracking jokes at funerals (though, let's be real, some of these obits would make for some killer stand-up material). But I do think there's something to be said for this unique approach. It's a reminder that life is short, and it's important to celebrate the little things. And hey, if we can't laugh about death, what can we laugh about?

So, here's to you, Hastings Tribune. Keep doing you. And to the rest of us, maybe it's time we started paying a little more attention to the stories our obituaries could tell. After all, as they say in Hastings, "You can't take it with you, but you can sure as hell laugh about it."