Man wanted family to eat him at his funeral
And other stories from the stranger side of life

A man asked his family eat his body at his funeral, reported the Daily Star. As cannibalism is illegal in the UK, the family were “told in no uncertain terms” that they could not eat their loved one, added the tabloid. Other bizarre requests in a survey of funeral directors included a man who wanted to be dressed as Santa Claus in his coffin, and a fan of Sugar Puffs cereal who wanted all the mourners to be dressed as the Honey Monster. “Each year, there are some great examples of how people include personal touches to make their loved ones’ funerals really special,” said a spokesman.
South Korea president ‘not influenced by sage’
The president of South Korea is suing over claims that he was influenced by a Rasputin-like soothsayer in his decision to abandon the presidential palace. The legal action is the latest effort by President Yoon to “quell rumours that his political judgement is clouded by superstition”, said The Times. The president admits knowing Cheongong, a white-bearded sage, but he said that “raising absurd fake allegations that a fortune-teller was involved in the decision process is an insult to public servants and the people”.
Mystery over ball on Japan beach
A mysterious large, metal ball has washed up on a beach in Japan. Police called the bomb squad when the object first appeared on the coastline of Hamamatsu city but no immediate danger was found. The ball, which is thought to be iron, has a rusty appearance and there are two raised handles on the surface. A local jogger dismissed the fuss that has surrounded the object. “It’s been there for a month,” he told public broadcaster NHK. “I tried to push it, but it wouldn’t budge.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For more odd news stories, sign up to the weekly Tall Tales newsletter.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Chas Newkey-Burden has been part of The Week Digital team for more than a decade and a journalist for 25 years, starting out on the irreverent football weekly 90 Minutes, before moving to lifestyle magazines Loaded and Attitude. He was a columnist for The Big Issue and landed a world exclusive with David Beckham that became the weekly magazine’s bestselling issue. He now writes regularly for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, FourFourTwo and the i new site. He is also the author of a number of non-fiction books.
-
North America is 'dripping' into Earth's mantle
Under the radar Things are rocky below the surface
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
8 essentials for the perfect picnic
The Week Recommends Celebrate warmer weather by dining al fresco
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: April 14, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Japanese rice crisis
Under The Radar Japan's staple food is in short supply and everything from bad harvests to rising tourist numbers is being blamed
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea court removes impeached president
Speed Read The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol after his declaration of martial law in December
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
South Korean commission exposes history of fraud and abuse in overseas adoptions
The Explainer The largest exporter of international adoptees allowed fraud to flourish, as the government pushed the adoption agenda
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published