Cremation or Burial? Why?

[Senthil]

Well? Which will it be for you?

I have already organised a living will that indicates cremation within 24 hours, unless an autopsy is required by law, no embalming, and simple. The basic box and the electric modern crematorium. After that a small memorial service may be held. Some Tamil devarams (ancient hymns) will be sung by a friend.

Why? Well, I'm a Hindu, that's what Hindus do. But even if I wasn't a Hindu, it would still likely be cremations. Just the idea of feeding the worms seems off to me.

Other methods besides these two would be interesting to know more about ... sky burial, burial at sea, etc.

 

[wil]

I'd like my death to have minimum impact on the planet....caused enough ruckus and destruction during my life.

So...I'm hoping those places that just take an auger into the woods and drill a deep hole in the ground and drop you in...no embalming....just let me decay...catch on...my friends and descendants will use their GPS to locate where I am should they wish to dance on my grave... (or whatever other nonsense)

While I've always wanted a native american funeral pyre, build a scaffolding and leave me up there for the eagles, hawks and vultures to have their fill....and then afterwords set the whole mess on fire to a big party... way to much carbon footprint as I go...

If the first cannot be fulfilled it will probably be the cardboard crematorium box...and that is fine.

 

[Senthil]

Wil, I didn't know about the auger method. Sounds like something some of my relatives would have done. Thanks for that. There are so many laws against such things, but on private land, a 10 foot hole so your head is 4 feet under, then a vertical position sounds fine. Plant a tree for you, and you're good. A guy could even go dig his own hole I suppose.

 

[juantoo3]

I figure it won't really matter, at least not to me.

Grave markers are for the descendants...the kids, the grandkids, the great-grandkids.

I've always thought I'd rather just take a nice, long walk out into the woods and not come back. Somebody would muck that up for me by sending someone to find me...but a guy can hope.

 

[wil]

lol, my friend says she's gonna walk east till her hat floats...

I have thought about a month long Mediterranean cruise and not coming back...cruise ships are cheaper than old folks homes...

 

[Hermes]

I want my body to be mummified and kept at home, in the living room, watching TV...(if this won't work for some reason....cremation for me as plan B.

 

[Namaste Jesus]

My only directive is to keep it cheap. Funerals are big business around here and I see no reason for anyone to go into debt over my passing. The instructions I left for my wife states that cremation is fine, but I'd leave it up to her. She herself wants to be cremated in Fiji if possible or at least her ashes sent there afterward.

 

[Senthil]

For those who actually care what happens, a directive in writing and spread around a bit can be incredibly important. There are too many family fights from a person not having one, and varied opinions on what should be done. But then death denial makes it more common.

An uncle of mine got buried against his wishes, and there were hard feelings for a long time over it.

 

[Devils' Advocate]

My only directive is to keep it cheap.

AbsoFrackinLutely! I despise the death industry. Cremation is the way to go. As cheaply as possible. Leave the money for the living!

 

[Senthil]

My MIL spent over 6 grand, (you could spend a ton more) and we followed her wishes. It was her money after all. My cousin chose a place aptly named 'Simply Cremations' and spent just over a grand. Some of those boxes are elaborate, but never to be seen again. At least the families can see the expensive headstones. No resale value though. But shop around first.

 

[wil]

ya get the ornately carved cherry rental if you have a wish for an open casket...and then switch to the cardboard before you head for the furnace...

 

[Aussie Thoughts]

Cremated and tilled into the soil of the upper barley field just like dad. Think about that the next time you knock back a cold one!

Or, you could always try this.

http://www.discgolf.com/disc-golf-discs/steady-ed-memorial-discs/

 

[BigJoeNobody]

I don't agree with cremation, from a personal or religious standpoint. But I also don't like paying a company to put concrete around me. I'd rather be buried in a pinewood box with a natural placemaker (a cool tree, amazing scene, hill top, anything) but due to laws and regulations, I guess I will be getting the standard casket in a concrete hole after being filled with chemicals.

 

[Namaste Jesus]

I don't agree with cremation, from a personal or religious standpoint.

I had my mom buried only because, in life, she had an extreme fear of fire. She had a simple fabric covered particle board box. Embalming is only required in my state if there is to be a viewing and my mom was apposed to that as well so she was not.

Cremated and tilled into the soil of the upper barley field just like dad.

So, are you running the farm now?

 

[Aussie Thoughts]

So, are you running the farm now?

Good Lord no mate. My 2 uncles, their boys and my younger brother run the show now. My son will be joining them when he graduates.