Iryna Tsybukh’s Unique Funeral Wishes: A Celebration of Life and Legacy

A Unique Farewell: The Funeral Wishes of Iryna Tsybukh

“My funeral is going to be awesome,” declared Iryna Tsybukh, a young Ukrainian combat medic, in a heartfelt video message to a friend. With unwavering determination, she detailed her imaginative plans for her own funeral, should she face the ultimate sacrifice on the front lines. Iryna envisioned a gathering where mourners would don traditional embroidered shirts known as vyshyvankas, while her fellow soldiers could attend in their army fatigues. To honor her memory, she requested that everyone learn and sing ten meaningful Ukrainian songs around her coffin. “Everyone will sing and learn something,” she said, her eyes sparkling with a smile. “In short, my funeral won’t be in vain.”

Tragically, her foresight became a reality. On May 29, days before her 26th birthday, Iryna was killed on the front lines near the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine. The circumstances surrounding her death remain private, as her family and battalion have chosen to withhold those details. Yet, in the wake of her passing, a profound outpouring of grief and tribute took place. Thousands of Ukrainians, clad in vyshyvankas and army uniforms, gathered to honor her life and legacy, singing the songs she had cherished.

For Iryna Tsybukh, who had a diverse background as a combat medic, educator, and journalist, the guidance she provided for her funeral extended beyond mere personal preference. While she sought to ease the sorrow of those she left behind through song, her vision aimed to fundamentally transform how Ukraine commemorates its fallen soldiers—infusing the moment with joy, remembrance, and a sense of communal solidarity.