When Crystal Sauser’s husband, Eric, passed away in February after a nearly two year-long battle with leukamia, she went to the mortuary to take a look at some obituary templates, but was unsatisfied with what she found.
The mom-of-three from Nebraska told Good Morning America that nothing she read felt right. Nothing felt like Eric. So she decided to simply write the obituary herself, and has since gone viral for her refreshingly humorous yet heartfelt take on the traditional passing notice.
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The obituary begins by describing Eric, who passed away at the age of 43, as being a “rockin’ dude from Omaha.”
It continues,
“His departure was just in time for him to make his spiritual appearance at every Red Sox spring game. Eric is survived by his wife, Crystal, and three children, Amelia, Violet and Benjamin, all of whom will likely sleep in the same bed for many years to come (sorry, Eric.)”
It explains that Eric was proceeded in death by “billions” of other people “including his dog Harvey.”
Although noting that many people “loved to hate” the dog, Crystal goes on to write that she’s certain her late husband is “joyfully reconnecting” with his unpopular pet right now.
The obituary also expressed that “if you knew Eric, you were loved.”
“And there is a good chance he told you that — probably sober but maybe not,” it added. “During his time here, he found a way into everyone’s heart.”
Among Eric’s many loves were “his smoking hot wife, his brilliant kids” and his family. He also loved the Kansas City Chiefs, a team which the obituary adds he became a fan of “before it was cool.”
Crystal also pokes fun at even more of her late husband’s interests, which she says included fishing, hiking, and “any old Chevy he saw on the road.”
“Eric hated sad stories, beets, romantic comedies, a snow packed driveway and turning off the garage light. That’s it,” the notice continues. “Eric was content with most everything else. We are not positive, but we think the cause of death was leukemia or more likely being ‘dead sexy.'”
“Eric, we’ve always loved you and miss you already.”
Crystal said she believes her late husband would have really enjoyed the cheeky obituary she penned in his honor.
“I think his face is so red,” she told GMA of what Eric would think about going viral. “He’s completely embarrassed by me saying things [in the obituary] like, ‘He’s dead sexy,’ but he would be so happy that he wasn’t cookie cutter.”
She and her husband were married for 13 years and had three children together. In April 2019, Eric was diagnosed with leukemia, to which his wife said his response was, “Oh well, it’s fine. We are going to just deal with this.”
Eric underwent treatment, but in April 2020 his cancer returned, and last month he tragically passed away from the illness.
“I’m sad because I have a broken heart, but I’m not sad because we didn’t win our journey,” Crystal explained. “Eric never wanted pity… We kind of maintained that in writing the obituary.”
She shared that the couple’s 11-year-old daughter Amelia read the obituary at her father’s celebration of life, which also included a dance party.
The unique notice was shared on Twitter where it has since gone viral.
Many users commented their amusement at the obituary’s words, but also expressed sorrow at not being able to have met and partied with Eric.
“I didn’t know this man but I wish I would have,” one person wrote, while another added, “I read it and wishes I knew the guy! What a great tribute!”
Crystal has certainly taken notice of all the wonderful comments and heartfelt messages her late husband has received online.
“Thanks for all the [love] from Eric’s obituary,” she responded to those users in a tweet . “The guy is a legacy and a stud — he made it easy to write because he was so freaking cool. Stay sexy, Eric and yes, the garage light is still on.”
h/t: Good Morning America
