Cremation?

People, especially old folks, are so used to the classic funerals, casket, flowers, visitation, service and graveside service, rent the overpriced limo............

Personally Im sick of all that crap, it's just an expensive ordeal. I understand there are religions that require this or that, so be it. But for me, cremation is just fine. Don't even need a fancy urn. An old wine bottle would do.

After attending yet another funeral of a personal client, when it was over, I told the people I was with to please please not put my family and friends thru that..... have me cremated , put me in an old mayonnaise jar and throw me off the first bridge you come to..... nooooo funeral for me.... and scripturaly, I will take my chances..

Just too much pomp and circumstance (along with a lot of $$$$) for a funeral and expensive caskets. A nice little clay strawberry pot to be set out in the garden is fine with me.

After going through the whole nine yards with my mother and sister, I was still in sticker shock from the astounding costs, as well as the trauma to the family of having to go through a few or less days of viewing, then the ordeal of the funeral. It's completely exhausting, emotionally and physically.

I want my friends and family to remember me before I reach the stage of metamorphosing into a peony or rose or even a lovely hydrangea.

I am a believer in therapeutic fibbing. Religious beliefs are hard to discuss rationally and some people have no room in theirs for your preference. The chances are good that you will outlive your Dad, so just don't argue the point with Dad (unless he takes you to go purchase a burial plot:) My husband's parents have very specific beliefs on how we should live, what church to attend, what services are "good ones" etc. They can believe anything they want to, no skin off my nose. I just sidestep the long winded arguments because you cannot win the discussion. I tell them to let me know what they want done, and how to pay for it, and that redirects off my business quickly. Good luck.

No funeral for me either! Cremation all the way. And throw those ashes anywhere...my dad was cremated and my mom will be too. I'm sure my brother has chosen that option too. I think some people are a little too wrapped up in what is left once their gone (fancy casket, service, big floral arrangements). I want none of that, because I know in the overall scheme of things, it means nothing. Live well while you're alive and that's enough for me.

I'm a Christian and I believe cremation is totally fine! Ashes to ashes, ye shall return. As my husband likes to say, 'the Creator of the universe can certainly put you back together!' You don't need an official grave to rise from the dead when the trump sounds.

I'm a Christian but hadn't heard that one before, wow. As I read scripture God doesn't need and won't be using your dead, decayed body since you'll be getting a new glorified one so cremation has no bearing on that. By that logic if someone died in a fire they wouldn't either. In fact, at our church years ago one of our beloved members died and wanted cremation. I have to say it was one of the most beautiful and relaxed services I've ever attended. Sounds strange maybe, but truly it was though we were sad. And I could see it was much easier on the family to endure. I suspect dad just doesn't want you to do it, but the evidence doesn't support it.

My father was creamated, then several months later we had a graveside service. It was lovely and he has a headstone ( already made up for him and mom, just needed dates). A minister did the service, and it was all very nice. This is what mom wants also.

There are so many ways to honor the dead and allow the living remembrance and closure without the expense and the ordeal of a standard funeral. It can be done to suit any religion or lack thereof. There are a couple of other threads on the forum that give detailed examples.

The classic American way of death and funerals has been developed over the years into a very profitable industry. I have respect for the folks in the industry. They serve a need in our society but they can make you feel ever so small and cheap if you don't go along with the upgrades suggested.

I went through this process twice in the last five years when my sister and then my brother died. My Dad was in the early stages of dementia and thankfully turned things over to my mother and me. Mom was grief stricken to the point of exhaustion. The funeral home people were very helpful in many ways and pleasant to deal with but they took full advantage of Moms grief to try and sell her every service and geegaw they had.

As my nephew was helping mom into the casket showroom I pulled the director lady aside and had a serious chat. She got the message and directed moms attention to the $5000 casket instead of the $15000 one. It is absolutely insane. For a modest funeral, grave site, opening and closing charges, visitation, and graveside service it still came in around 15 K. If I had not been there I can't imagine how much money my poor mother would have signed over.

My mom was cremated and then we held a small memorial for her at home. Now she resides on the top of a beautiful cabinet. I was planning on cremation also but am also exploring leaving my body to science. Nothing fancy for me!