I look forward to planning my mother’s funeral. That means my pain and suffering as her caregiver is over, no more sucking the life out of me. Now I can live.
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There is another option if you don't want your family to incur any expenses pertaining to your death. I have donated my body to science through the University of Tennessee Medical School. I carry a card with instructions as to who to call upon my death. My body will be picked up, cremated and delivered to the university. They have 18 months to use my body and after the use will cremate my body and return the cremains to my daughter and she has been advised by me as to what to do with them. As long as I die in the state of TN, there is no charge for anything except perhaps an obituary and extra copies of the death certificate. If I die out of state, the family will be responsible for the cost to transport me back to TN. I imagine most states have medical schools in their state who have Anatomical Bequest Programs. This might be of interest to some people.
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Dad passed away in 2002, and although he didn't have a written plan, he had made it clear to us that he wanted cremation, a church memorial service (with the Star Spangled Banner played at the end!), and burial in the family plot. Since he was a veteran, the funeral home ordered the gravestone (free from the VA), charging only for the installation at the gravesite. Later, I got a funeral planning kit from the funeral home and had a discussion with Mom as to her wishes. The form (several pages) was very helpful in ticking off all the things we needed to consider. We also located her discharge papers from the Army and completed the form for a VA gravestone for her. We've updated it a few times, as she outlived the person she wished to conduct her graveside service. All these papers are in an large envelope in her home for ready access.
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I worked in the industry nine years as a counselor. Cremation in some instances can cost $2500+. Simple burial with 'pine box' , no embalming, and graveside service can be about the same price ! (Please note: cemetery fees are additional. There may be a family lot, a local cemetery, or a nationally based cemetery corporation with premier services and beautiful memorial gardens. Pricing here will vary accordingly.) It's important to let folks know that there are alternatives if cremation is not an option. Embalming is only legally necessary if the body will be in contact with the general public for an extended time- as in a funeral home or church based service prior to burial. The term 'viewing' will also key you in to embalming fees. Burial insurance and trust funded contracts also differ. Corporations that offer trust-funded contracts are backed up by the state they are written in. If the issuing FH is no longer in business, or the family is in another state, the funds (and interest) is still provided as contracted.
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