Writing Prompts That Start With a Funeral and End in Blood

Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike? It can be tough to get those creative juices flowing, especially when you want to write something gripping and memorable. If you’re looking for a unique twist to spark your imagination, you’re in the right place! Today, we’re diving into a collection of 15 writing prompts that start with a funeral and end in blood. Sounds intriguing, right? Let’s explore how these prompts can lead you down unexpected paths of storytelling.

Why Start with a Funeral?

Starting a story with a funeral might seem morbid at first, but it’s a powerful way to set the stage for drama, conflict, and character development. Funerals are emotional events that can reveal deep truths about relationships, secrets, and the human experience. They create a backdrop for tension and can lead to surprising twists, including the metaphorical or literal “blood” that follows.

Takeaway: Funerals can serve as a rich starting point for exploring complex themes in your writing.

1. The Unexpected Eulogy

Prompt: At a funeral, the deceased’s best friend stands up to give a eulogy but reveals a shocking secret about the deceased that changes everything.

Imagine the tension in the room as the friend begins to speak. What secret could be so explosive that it would turn a somber occasion into chaos? This prompt allows you to explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the complexity of human relationships.

Tips for Writing:

• Consider the nature of the secret. Is it something that could ruin the deceased’s reputation?
• Think about how the other attendees react. Do they support the friend, or do they turn against them?
• Use vivid descriptions to capture the emotions in the room.

Takeaway: Secrets can add layers to your characters and plot, making your story more engaging.

2. The Bloodline Curse

Prompt: During a funeral, a family member reveals that the family has been cursed for generations, and the deceased was the last to bear the burden.

This prompt opens the door to a mix of family drama and supernatural elements. What does the curse entail? How does it affect the living family members? You can weave in themes of legacy, guilt, and the struggle to break free from the past.

Tips for Writing:

• Create a backstory for the curse. What events led to its creation?
• Explore how each family member reacts to the news. Are they skeptical, fearful, or determined to break the curse?
• Consider incorporating flashbacks to illustrate the curse’s impact over the years.

Takeaway: Curses can serve as a metaphor for unresolved family issues, adding depth to your narrative.

3. The Murderer in Mourning

Prompt: At a funeral, the murderer of the deceased is present, disguised as a grieving friend.

This prompt is perfect for a suspenseful thriller. What drives the murderer to attend the funeral? Are they feeling guilt, or are they there to ensure their secret remains hidden? This scenario can lead to a gripping cat-and-mouse game.

Tips for Writing:

• Develop the murderer’s backstory. What led them to commit the crime?
• Create tension by showing the murderer’s internal conflict during the funeral.
• Use dialogue to hint at the murderer’s true identity without revealing it too soon.

Takeaway: The presence of a hidden antagonist can create suspense and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

4. The Heir’s Dilemma

Prompt: At a wealthy patriarch’s funeral, the heir discovers a hidden will that changes everything about their inheritance.

This prompt can explore themes of greed, family loyalty, and the consequences of wealth. What does the new will entail? How does it affect the relationships within the family?

Tips for Writing:

• Create tension by introducing other family members who may contest the will.
• Explore the heir’s moral dilemma: do they accept the inheritance or reject it for the sake of family harmony?
• Use the funeral setting to highlight the contrast between grief and greed.

Takeaway: Inheritance can be a powerful motivator for conflict and character development.

5. The Ghostly Encounter

Prompt: During a funeral, the grieving widow claims to have seen the ghost of her deceased husband, who reveals a hidden truth.

This prompt allows for a blend of the supernatural and emotional exploration. What truth does the ghost reveal? How does it affect the widow and the other attendees?

Tips for Writing:

• Decide whether the ghost is benevolent or malevolent.
• Use sensory details to create a vivid atmosphere during the ghostly encounter.
• Explore the widow’s emotional journey as she grapples with the revelation.

Takeaway: Ghosts can symbolize unresolved issues and provide a unique way to explore character emotions.

6. The Last Will and Testament

Prompt: At a funeral, the reading of the will reveals that the deceased left everything to a stranger, sparking outrage among the family.

This prompt can lead to a dramatic exploration of family dynamics and the concept of chosen family versus blood relations. Who is this stranger, and why did the deceased choose them?

Tips for Writing:

• Develop the backstory of the stranger. How did they know the deceased?
• Show the family’s reactions, ranging from anger to confusion.
• Use dialogue to reveal the family’s history and their feelings of betrayal.

Takeaway: The dynamics of family and chosen relationships can create rich storytelling opportunities.

7. The Funeral Crasher

Prompt: A mysterious figure crashes the funeral, claiming to be the deceased’s long-lost sibling, and chaos ensues.

This prompt can introduce themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of secrets. How does the family react to this unexpected revelation?

Tips for Writing:

• Create a backstory for the crasher. Why were they estranged from the family?
• Explore the emotional fallout from their arrival.
• Use flashbacks to reveal the family’s history and the reasons for the estrangement.

Takeaway: Unexpected characters can add intrigue and complexity to your story.

8. The Blood Oath

Prompt: At a funeral, a group of friends makes a blood oath to avenge the deceased’s untimely death.

This prompt can lead to a thrilling exploration of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of revenge. What drives them to take such drastic action?

Tips for Writing:

• Develop each friend’s motivation for seeking revenge.
• Explore the moral implications of their decision.
• Use action-packed scenes to illustrate their quest for vengeance.

Takeaway: Revenge can be a powerful theme that drives character development and plot progression.

9. The Family Feud

Prompt: During a funeral, a long-standing family feud erupts, leading to a shocking revelation about the deceased’s past.

This prompt can explore themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the impact of unresolved conflicts. What secrets from the past come to light, and how do they affect the family?

Tips for Writing:

• Create a rich backstory for the feud. What caused the rift?
• Use dialogue to reveal the characters’ emotions and motivations.
• Show how the revelation changes the dynamics within the family.

Takeaway: Family feuds can serve as a microcosm of larger societal issues, adding depth to your narrative.

10. The Uninvited Guest

Prompt: An uninvited guest shows up at the funeral, claiming to have been in a relationship with the deceased, leading to shocking revelations.

This prompt can explore themes of love, betrayal, and the complexity of relationships. How does the family react to this unexpected visitor?

Tips for Writing:

• Develop the backstory of the uninvited guest. What was their relationship with the deceased?
• Explore the emotional fallout from their arrival.
• Use flashbacks to illustrate the deceased’s hidden life.

Takeaway: Uninvited guests can disrupt the status quo and lead to unexpected plot twists.

11. The Funeral Photographer

Prompt: A photographer hired to document the funeral captures a moment that reveals a hidden truth about the deceased.

This prompt can lead to a mystery that unfolds as the photographer investigates what they’ve discovered. What truth do they uncover, and how does it affect the attendees?

Tips for Writing:

• Create a backstory for the photographer. What motivates them to dig deeper?
• Use vivid imagery to describe the captured moment.
• Explore the reactions of the attendees as the truth comes to light.

Takeaway: A unique perspective can add depth and intrigue to your story.

12. The Last Confession

Prompt: At a funeral, a priest reveals a confession made by the deceased that could change everything for the family.

This prompt can explore themes of guilt, redemption, and the weight of secrets. What was the confession, and how does it impact the family?

Tips for Writing:

• Develop the backstory of the confession. What led the deceased to confess?
• Explore the emotional reactions of the family members.
• Use dialogue to reveal the complexities of forgiveness and redemption.

Takeaway: Confessions can serve as a catalyst for character growth and plot development.

13. The Funeral Planner

Prompt: A funeral planner discovers a hidden agenda behind the arrangements for the deceased’s funeral, leading to a shocking revelation.

This prompt can introduce elements of mystery and intrigue. What is the hidden agenda, and how does it affect the attendees?

Tips for Writing:

• Create a backstory for the funeral planner. What drives them to uncover the truth?
• Use suspenseful pacing to build tension as the planner investigates.
• Explore the reactions of the attendees as the truth unfolds.

Takeaway: A unique profession can provide fresh perspectives and plot twists.

14. The Blood Ritual

Prompt: At a funeral, a group of attendees performs a blood ritual to honor the deceased, leading to unexpected consequences.

This prompt can explore themes of tradition, sacrifice, and the supernatural. What are the implications of the ritual, and how does it affect the attendees?

Tips for Writing:

• Research different cultural rituals to add authenticity to your story.
• Explore the motivations behind the ritual and its significance to the attendees.
• Use vivid imagery to create a powerful atmosphere during the ritual.

Takeaway: Rituals can serve as a powerful narrative device to explore cultural themes.

15. The Final Wish

Prompt: At a funeral, the deceased’s final wish is revealed, leading to a race against time to fulfill it before the bloodline is severed.

This prompt can introduce elements of urgency and adventure. What is the final wish, and what obstacles must the characters overcome to fulfill it?

Tips for Writing:

• Develop a clear goal for the characters to achieve.
• Create tension by introducing obstacles that challenge their resolve.
• Use pacing to build excitement as the characters race against time.

Takeaway: A clear goal can drive your plot and keep readers engaged.

Conclusion

Writing prompts can be a fantastic way to ignite your creativity and explore new storytelling avenues. Starting with a funeral and ending in blood opens up a world of possibilities, from family drama to thrilling mysteries. Each of the prompts we discussed today offers a unique opportunity to delve into complex themes and character dynamics.

So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, I encourage you to pick one of these prompts and let your imagination run wild. Remember, the best stories often come from unexpected places.

If you enjoyed this article or found it helpful, please share your thoughts in the comments below! What prompt resonated with you the most? Happy writing!