Author Topic: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?  (Read 16386 times)

boulder3381

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Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« on: May 06, 2015, 08:52:22 AM »
My commute to works has me standing across from a cemetery.   I began to wonder what would be the least expensive means of recycling my body upon death.   

I am not sure my family would be able to negotiate as well as John Goodman in Big Labowski.   

But basically that would be closer to my preference.    Cremation and a coffee can.    Or better yet leave my body off trail in woods.

Unfortunately I am guessing these aren't permissible by some silly rule of law.

Thoughts or suggestions?

Half-Borg

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2015, 09:08:03 AM »
I'm sure there are some medical students eager to mess around in your dead body.

My mother got creamated and buried under a tree, cheaper than a normal graveyard, but still surprisingly expensive.

Dumping bodies in the woods might be rather expensive. Provided you relatives get caught and fined.


CommonCents

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2015, 09:08:20 AM »
My commute to works has me standing across from a cemetery.   I began to wonder what would be the least expensive means of recycling my body upon death.   

I am not sure my family would be able to negotiate as well as John Goodman in Big Labowski.   

But basically that would be closer to my preference.    Cremation and a coffee can.    Or better yet leave my body off trail in woods.

Unfortunately I am guessing these aren't permissible by some silly rule of law.

Thoughts or suggestions?

I didn't realize preventing the spread of disease was considered silly. 

Gone Fishing

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2015, 09:11:28 AM »
Leaving instructions for a "direct cremation" usually results in the most inexpensive disposal.  Not sure if there are any prepaid plans out there which would allow you to effectively fix the cost of your recycling.  I might explore donating my body to science when I get a few more years under my belt. 

MandalayVA

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2015, 09:18:21 AM »

I didn't realize preventing the spread of disease was considered silly.

It's not true that dead bodies spread disease if the dead person didn't die of anything communicable.

http://www.funerals.org/frequently-asked-questions/142-embalming-myths-facts

dsmexpat

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2015, 09:34:40 AM »
Leaving instructions for a "direct cremation" usually results in the most inexpensive disposal.  Not sure if there are any prepaid plans out there which would allow you to effectively fix the cost of your recycling.  I might explore donating my body to science when I get a few more years under my belt.
In the United States a direct cremation is described by FTC regulations as a cremation without service or ceremony. You can prepay which will generally lock the prices in but honestly you're better off just leaving behind a decent inheritance and children who can come up with $1500 on short notice. You are not legally required to buy an urn or a cremation container from the funeral home, they will heavily imply that you ought to or use confusing language such as "a cremation container is required" but you do not have to buy theirs and you can decline an urn entirely. You can buy containers cheap online, or at Costco or whatever which will save you $100 or so. The death industry was a complete wild west of abuse, got heavily regulated and is still a complete wild west of abuse because the average consumer doesn't know or understand the regulations.

BananaPants

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2015, 09:40:03 AM »
Donating your body to science is probably the only totally free option.  In some cities/areas they still have a potter's field where the indigent or those whose families can't afford any other option are buried, so maybe you could kick the bucket in New York City and just have no one claim your body? 

If you want to do something other than donating yourself, direct cremation is the way to go.  It'll be $1000-1500ish.  There are "green" cemeteries where embalming and an expensive casket aren't part of it but I think it's still more costly because it's a pretty unusual thing to do in North America.

From my husband's family I've seen that so much stuff is done because "this is what we always do for a funeral" or "it's what s/he would have wanted", and it's costly - tens of thousands of dollars for the embalming (even if everything is a closed-casket affair) and a nice casket and a good burial plot in a nice cemetery, a visitation at the funeral home, the funeral at the funeral home with a rent-a-minister, a graveside service, etc.   Meanwhile when people in my family die, they tend to go for direct cremation, with a visitation hour at the church followed immediately by a memorial service - it's cheaper by a full order of magnitude. 

Chuck

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2015, 09:44:58 AM »
I plan on being cremated, and interred in a Veteran's cemetary with a standard honors. As close to free as you can get, and still dignified.

A very, very underrated benefit of military service.

CommonCents

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2015, 09:50:23 AM »

I didn't realize preventing the spread of disease was considered silly.

It's not true that dead bodies spread disease if the dead person didn't die of anything communicable.

http://www.funerals.org/frequently-asked-questions/142-embalming-myths-facts

1) As you agree it can spread disease if they died of something communicable.
2) It depends where it's tossed - the body can contaminate drinking water, which can cause health issues.

And of course, decomposing bodies stink, which isn't something I'd want to stumble over in a walk through the woods.  I also wouldn't want a child to see a body (much less a partially decomposed one) if it can be helped.  (Not that I particularly want to see it either.)  It might also waste police resources if it's found and leads to questions of whether it was a death of natural causes or not.

There are many good reasons to require people to dispose of bodies properly.  There are many silly laws, but I wouldn't see one about proper body disposal as one of those.

jmusic

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2015, 09:56:48 AM »
I've actually thought about the environmental impact of graveyards before...   Think of all of the formaldehyde (embalming), wood varnish (coffin), and other toxic chemicals that go into the ground, all of the precious real estate taken up, and other issues.  Cremation has its own set of environmental issues due to pollutants released in the atmosphere.

There is a "green" burial alternative, that many cemetaries participate in:

http://www.greenburials.org/FAQ.htm

Although I find it laughable that you have to pay $$$$ to:  1. Dig hole, 2. Insert body, 3. Fill hole.  And I've never really considered myself an environmentalist either...

forummm

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #10 on: May 06, 2015, 09:59:36 AM »
The "afterlife care" topic made me think this was going to be about buying insurance policies for heaven or something.

dsmexpat

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2015, 10:02:42 AM »
Lifehack, go to the funeral home you wish to use and ask to talk about advance planning. They'll hook you up with a whole life insurance salesman who will talk you through all the different options. They'll write up your plan and store it even if you didn't fund. They won't lock the prices in etc but it'll mean you have a funeral home with a plan you wrote waiting for you at the time, all free of charge.

Gin1984

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2015, 10:03:05 AM »
Donating your body to science is probably the only totally free option.  In some cities/areas they still have a potter's field where the indigent or those whose families can't afford any other option are buried, so maybe you could kick the bucket in New York City and just have no one claim your body? 

If you want to do something other than donating yourself, direct cremation is the way to go.  It'll be $1000-1500ish.  There are "green" cemeteries where embalming and an expensive casket aren't part of it but I think it's still more costly because it's a pretty unusual thing to do in North America.

From my husband's family I've seen that so much stuff is done because "this is what we always do for a funeral" or "it's what s/he would have wanted", and it's costly - tens of thousands of dollars for the embalming (even if everything is a closed-casket affair) and a nice casket and a good burial plot in a nice cemetery, a visitation at the funeral home, the funeral at the funeral home with a rent-a-minister, a graveside service, etc.   Meanwhile when people in my family die, they tend to go for direct cremation, with a visitation hour at the church followed immediately by a memorial service - it's cheaper by a full order of magnitude.
You can also donate to a college.  We are paying for it, because the community colleges don't have funds like big universities or procedures to get them outside of purchase.  Last I checked it was less than $500 and my old college will save over $10K on buying one.

GuitarStv

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2015, 10:24:57 AM »
I've requested that my remains are cremated as cheaply as possible and flushed down the nearest toilet.

Sibley

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2015, 10:28:24 AM »

Turkey Leg

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #15 on: May 06, 2015, 10:34:23 AM »
I've requested that my remains are cremated as cheaply as possible and flushed down the nearest toilet.

I've requested cremation, with my remains tossed in the crematory's trash can. (I should restate that so I'm tossed in their compost bin.)

Eric

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #16 on: May 06, 2015, 10:36:24 AM »
You can become a tree for pretty cheap.  It's a cool idea.

dsmexpat

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #17 on: May 06, 2015, 10:39:57 AM »
From Reader's Digest, some decent information.

http://www.rd.com/slideshows/13-things-a-funeral-director-wont-tell-you/view-all/
"1.Go ahead and plan your funeral,
but think twice before paying in advance. You risk losing everything if the funeral home goes out of business. Instead, keep your money in a pay-on-death account at your bank."
False. The money is generally held in a whole life insurance policy, not by the funeral home.

TreeTired

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #18 on: May 06, 2015, 10:40:01 AM »
Quote
I've requested that my remains are cremated as cheaply as possible and flushed down the nearest toilet.

I had to check the author of this post to make sure it wasn't me (in a former life of course... or maybe just a few weeks ago if an old thread).    I have had these conversations with my wife. I have said, flush the ashes down the toilet, I don't care.   It is my firm belief that once I am dead,  I am gone, and what remains of my physical body will not be me and will have nothing to do with me, so any sentimental action such as preserving my ashes or spreading them in any particular place will be meaningless...  the caveat being that when I am dead and gone I will not be around to care what is done with my remains, so if my wife wants to have me stuffed and mounted that will be her prerogative.  But I have stated to dispose of my remains in the cheapest way possible, and if anyone questions that you can truthfully say,  "But this is what he wanted" (flush!!!!!!).     I will have to research the donation to medical science thing. 
« Last Edit: May 06, 2015, 10:43:42 AM by TreeTired »

Gin1984

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #19 on: May 06, 2015, 12:04:09 PM »
Quote
I've requested that my remains are cremated as cheaply as possible and flushed down the nearest toilet.

I had to check the author of this post to make sure it wasn't me (in a former life of course... or maybe just a few weeks ago if an old thread).    I have had these conversations with my wife. I have said, flush the ashes down the toilet, I don't care.   It is my firm belief that once I am dead,  I am gone, and what remains of my physical body will not be me and will have nothing to do with me, so any sentimental action such as preserving my ashes or spreading them in any particular place will be meaningless...  the caveat being that when I am dead and gone I will not be around to care what is done with my remains, so if my wife wants to have me stuffed and mounted that will be her prerogative.  But I have stated to dispose of my remains in the cheapest way possible, and if anyone questions that you can truthfully say,  "But this is what he wanted" (flush!!!!!!).     I will have to research the donation to medical science thing.
Well there are two options, being a cadaver for students and donating body parts. 

MandalayVA

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #20 on: May 06, 2015, 01:09:16 PM »
If you want me after I've booted off, you can find me here. 


Bob W

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #21 on: May 06, 2015, 01:20:47 PM »
I just dealt with this.  Funeral home salesmen make car salesmen look like amateurs.

Cheapest --- body to science -- you'll probably still have to pay for transportation etc.  but check with University.  They may have an abundance of folks these days.

Next Cheapest -- Cremation/coffee cans.   

Be sure to plan the party ahead of time as you will be charged funeral home usage preacher usage and visitation night charges.

So here is the current family history difference ---  Free = 0  -- the 10K that would have been spent is invested at 9-10% for 60 years and yields an after tax total of 10 million yielding an inflation adjusted 80K per year ---- Grandkids say "Grandpa Bob is awesome!"

10K funeral = 10K   in 60 years the zero is still zero --- Grandkids say "Grandpa who?"

oldladystache

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #22 on: May 06, 2015, 01:41:18 PM »
For the last 2 deaths in my family we just did a simple cremation with no service of any kind. We have several cardboard boxes of ashes sitting around waiting for someone to do something with.

Meanwhile, I've been to one funeral this week so far, another one in a few days. So much expense and disruption. I've told everyone I don't care what they do with me. Just dump me and get it over with.

Roots&Wings

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #23 on: May 06, 2015, 03:46:39 PM »
You can become a tree for pretty cheap.  It's a cool idea.

This is great. I'd like to be buried with a tree. Didn't realize cremated remains could be buried anywhere...if so, I'll request my remains in a cardboard box and have a tree planted on top. Have to figure out a location.

A couple family members went to science per request (atheist choice...finances not a consideration), and our family planted memorial trees at an arboretum in their honor.

GarythePunster

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #24 on: May 06, 2015, 03:49:59 PM »
I want to be left in a Grecian urn, but the question really remains is how much a Grecian urns. <rimshot>

AH013

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #25 on: May 07, 2015, 11:34:12 AM »
The "afterlife care" topic made me think this was going to be about buying insurance policies for heaven or something.

A whole new business model!

"Heaven insurance, starting at $999 -- 100% Guaranteed placement into heaven."

brycedoula

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #26 on: May 07, 2015, 11:40:44 AM »
My aunt died recently, and her plan was to donate her body to the local medical school after she died. Once the medical school is "done" with her then they cover the cover of cremation (her remains would be used for several years by several classes, ie the Med 2s use her body the first year, Med 1s use her body the next year, and so forth).

However by the time she died her BMI was so low that the medical school couldn't use her remains, so my uncle paid for a basic cremation himself (approx $1000 in my province). My uncle, my mother & a few close friends recently went to my aunt's childhood home & spread the ashes to the wind.

I believe in the Jewish faith no embalming/preserving is done, so the body is buried by sundown the following day for obvious reasons. Typically the remains are buried in a no-frills, pine casket. Perhaps doing some research into Jewish funeral homes may be worth looking into???

Kris

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #27 on: May 07, 2015, 11:51:12 AM »
Leaving instructions for a "direct cremation" usually results in the most inexpensive disposal.  Not sure if there are any prepaid plans out there which would allow you to effectively fix the cost of your recycling.  I might explore donating my body to science when I get a few more years under my belt.
In the United States a direct cremation is described by FTC regulations as a cremation without service or ceremony. You can prepay which will generally lock the prices in but honestly you're better off just leaving behind a decent inheritance and children who can come up with $1500 on short notice. You are not legally required to buy an urn or a cremation container from the funeral home, they will heavily imply that you ought to or use confusing language such as "a cremation container is required" but you do not have to buy theirs and you can decline an urn entirely. You can buy containers cheap online, or at Costco or whatever which will save you $100 or so. The death industry was a complete wild west of abuse, got heavily regulated and is still a complete wild west of abuse because the average consumer doesn't know or understand the regulations.

Agreed, plus the fact that the average person who is taking care of the details is grieving for their lost family member, or coming in from out of town, or some other thing that makes it hard for them to sit back and take the time to think things through.  One thing I would definitely suggest, if you want it to be as inexpensive as possible, is to think this through yourself and make complete details available to the person or people who will be dealing with things.  Like, if you choose cremation, you could even get the cremation container yourself (even a coffee can) and provide explicit instructions that this is the container that must be used -- so that the person doesn't get railroaded into anything by the funeral home.

NorCal

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #28 on: May 07, 2015, 11:57:22 AM »
If you're a little bit country, you could have your ashes turned into a shotgun shell...

http://myholysmoke.com/

I also think I remember seeing another one where they shoot your ashes out of a cannon.

Probably more affordable than an urn.

PtboEliz

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #29 on: May 07, 2015, 02:42:46 PM »
Hopefully these crazy Urban Death Project-ers will have
their way and we can sign up for quicky composting!

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/technology/urban-death-project-a-case-for-composting-your-dead-body-1.3060314

Lyngi

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #30 on: May 07, 2015, 05:49:51 PM »
I just checked my local Medical school, they have a body donation form.  I'm gonna print that out and put it in my financial goodies binder.  Does anyone know what medical conditions preclude body donation?  (someone mentioned low BMI, a CJD diagnosis would be automatic)

Lyngi

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #31 on: May 07, 2015, 05:52:15 PM »
answered my own question:    Criteria for Non-acceptance into the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Donated Body Program
While it is uncommon that anatomical gift at the time of death is refused, it is important that you be aware of this possibility and make alternative plans if this should occur.

There are several reasons why an anatomical gift might not be suitable for study; anything that destroys or distorts the normal anatomy of the body extensively can make it difficult to conduct meaningful anatomical study. Some examples of conditions that make anatomical study difficult are:

An autopsy that has been performed
Serious injury or trauma
Recent extensive surgery (this does not mean that individuals that have had surgery are automatically disqualified);
Advanced cancers;
Advanced muscular atrophy;
Donations of organs to other programs;
Weight in excess of 250 lbs.;
Bodies arriving more than 24 hours from time of death;
Advanced decomposition;
If the number of donated bodies required by the school will be exceeded.
The Donated Body Program reserves the right to decline or accept the donation of an anatomical gift as set forth by health and safety code §7154 (a).

In addition, there are some infectious agents, such as viruses, that can pose a serious risk to the individuals working with the anatomical material. Pursuant to California law, the donation of a body authorizes any reasonable examination necessary to ensure medical acceptability of the gift for the purpose intended. Examples of such diseases that would disqualify a body for donation include:

Hepatitis B & C, Creutzfelt-Jacob disease, HIV and AIDS, MRSA, VRSA and TB.
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Donated Body Program reserves the right to accept or reject a donation at the time of death if any of these conditions or diseases is present. Therefore, it is our recommendation that alternative plans are made with a death care provider (funeral provider), in the event that the body is unsuitable for donation.

Gin1984

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #32 on: May 07, 2015, 05:54:55 PM »
I just checked my local Medical school, they have a body donation form.  I'm gonna print that out and put it in my financial goodies binder.  Does anyone know what medical conditions preclude body donation?  (someone mentioned low BMI, a CJD diagnosis would be automatic)
I would also point out that medical schools have higher requirements than community colleges and teaching universities, although safety is a requirement is all.  For example, my mother could not be donated to my grad school (a med school) because of her smoking but my community college was fine with taking her because they do not dissect that deep.

madamwitty

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #33 on: May 07, 2015, 06:23:28 PM »
I never knew you could get the ashes back if you donated your body to science. I like the idea of educating the next generation of doctors and then becoming a tree :-)

PJ

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #34 on: May 07, 2015, 06:25:03 PM »
Those being cremated can also have their ashes made into a glass keepsake or piece of jewellery ... although that's not a particularly inexpensive way to dispose of your remains!

https://www.cremationsolutions.com/cremation-keepsakes/cremation-glass-keepsakes-and-urns/

In all seriousness, I just wanted to add a cautionary note for those in the "flush me down the toilet or put me in a coffee can" camp.  I get the desire not to have an extravagant and unnecessarily expensive funeral, and I do know that sometimes people get talked into things they don't need or even really want, because they're in a heightened emotional state.  I'm also in agreement with the environmental concerns either of cremation (fuel use) or traditional burial (taking up space that I no longer need).

But we have to remember that funerals and similar rituals are not totally for or about the person who has died, or about the most efficient disposal of your body.  They're also a means by which the people who are left behind come to grips with the death of someone they loved, and a process through which people can come together and support each other at a difficult time.   

I'm an Anglican priest, and the daughter of an Anglican priest, and the sister of someone who works in a crematorium.  I've been around a lot of death, and can say that having the opportunity to minister to a family in grief is the most important and fulfilling thing that I do.  I'm not in it for the money (most definitely!) and in fact it is a huge amount of work on top of my day to day, but I love meeting people and serving them, and get a lot of satisfaction from it.  And most of the people I meet in the funeral home industry seem to feel the same way. 

There is a cost, and it is a service, so money does play a role in the interaction, but in my experience over the last 5-6 years, I've never personally seen someone be deliberately manipulated or taken advantage of, even at my non-preferred funeral homes.  Families tend to come with a pretty set idea about what they want, and don't deviate much.  Planning a funeral is a bit like planning a wedding - you can have a very meaningful process that doesn't cost a lot, or you can add every frill and spend a lot.  For example, people in my church, who are mostly of Caribbean heritage, tend to have a focus on the "repast" (reception).  It's an important part of their mourning process - to come together for a big feast in honour of the person's life.  I've also seen funeral homes work very hard with families to find the least expensive options that will still honour the families sensibilities of what the ritual should look like.

There are exceptions to every rule, but in my experience the families that try to skip over the basic rituals tend to be the ones that are least emotionally healthy.  In my opinion, there should be opportunities to gather - which could be simply at the graveside, depending on climate/time of year, or in someone's home.  There should be "words spoken" - religious or not - that reflect the fact that life has changed forevermore for those left behind.  There should be freedom to cry, and to laugh, as you remember the good times and bad.  There should be dignity. 

Again, this is all just my opinion, but it's opinion formed from working with grieving families.  People who are very vulnerable, and often with a number of people involved in the planning, who all have varying ideas, opinions, and emotional health.  IMO, there shouldn't be coffee cans or toilets involved.  Not because you will care.  You won't.  You'll be dead, and won't have to see someone you love reduced to that state.  But because of the people you'll leave behind, who will want to remember your life with beauty, not trauma. 

Kris

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #35 on: May 07, 2015, 06:38:12 PM »
Hopefully these crazy Urban Death Project-ers will have
their way and we can sign up for quicky composting!

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/technology/urban-death-project-a-case-for-composting-your-dead-body-1.3060314

My husband heard this last week -- we are both hoping this gains wide acceptance so we can do it.

Blonde Lawyer

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #36 on: May 07, 2015, 06:52:20 PM »
At one point my husband wanted to be a crash test corpse.  Apparently there is a program for that.  He is 6'5" so the auto industry doesn't get to test how such tall people will do in wrecks that often. 

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #37 on: May 07, 2015, 10:13:33 PM »
Cheapest --- body to science -- you'll probably still have to pay for transportation etc.  but check with University.  They may have an abundance of folks these days.

My uncle is a driver for a company that buys body parts.  They pay to pick up the body, but your estate has to pay for the initial container or whatever.  I don't know if you can do just a cheap metal box or whatever, but at least the company he works for requires that your body be picked up in a sealed casket.  They handle the rest after that, however.  I think their specialty is connective tissue, like tendons and stuff.  Apparently they don't break down with age in healthy adults and synthetic alternatives aren't as good as the real thing.

rocketpj

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #38 on: May 07, 2015, 10:29:46 PM »
My grandfather was cremated and then his ashes were spread (probably illegally) in the Bow River.  Not the river for me (I'll take the ocean myself) but I have always loved the idea.

I can't think of anything less appealing than a cemetary plot.  Put me back into the cycle of life.

Pooja Sharma

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #39 on: May 08, 2015, 04:13:28 AM »
If you really don't want to get cremated by rules then go to alligators land and be their meal

J Boogie

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #40 on: May 08, 2015, 10:26:50 AM »
I want to be left in a Grecian urn, but the question really remains is how much a Grecian urns. <rimshot>

Good question, especially if you financed it - if it doesn't earn enough, you'd hate to have your bereaved children find out that you still Ode on a Grecian Urn.



(For the non literary types... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_on_a_Grecian_Urn)

GarythePunster

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #41 on: May 08, 2015, 11:15:14 AM »
I want to be left in a Grecian urn, but the question really remains is how much a Grecian urns. <rimshot>

Good question, especially if you financed it - if it doesn't earn enough, you'd hate to have your bereaved children find out that you still Ode on a Grecian Urn.



(For the non literary types... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_on_a_Grecian_Urn)

An even better Urn pun, FTW!

Bob W

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #42 on: May 11, 2015, 11:58:36 AM »
Cheapest --- body to science -- you'll probably still have to pay for transportation etc.  but check with University.  They may have an abundance of folks these days.

My uncle is a driver for a company that buys body parts.  They pay to pick up the body, but your estate has to pay for the initial container or whatever.  I don't know if you can do just a cheap metal box or whatever, but at least the company he works for requires that your body be picked up in a sealed casket.  They handle the rest after that, however.  I think their specialty is connective tissue, like tendons and stuff.  Apparently they don't break down with age in healthy adults and synthetic alternatives aren't as good as the real thing.

I love this!  Didn't realize that was how it worked exactly.   My wife has cadaver knee parts.   When her best friend died 5 years ago her friend's eyes went to someone who needed eyes. 

We like to think that little bit of Kelly lives on.

partgypsy

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #43 on: May 11, 2015, 12:29:28 PM »
I don't have a hang up about having a proper burial, and was leaning towards donating body to science, but after reading "Stiff" I don't think I can do it. After reading the book I KNOW I don't want the traditional burial of being pumped with formadehyde and stuck in an airtight coffin where you liquidfy. At the same time I don't think I can go for the whole body donation rout. I know, I will be dead and shouldn't care, but it still gives me the creeps. You don't don't have any rights or say so in what or how your body is going to be used (leave it right there). I have on my license to be an organ donor, but whole body, that is another level.

My preference would be buried in a park or forest, some place of nature and decompose naturally, as long as there was an inexpensive/legal way to do that.  Or feed my dead body to zoo lions or something.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2015, 12:33:45 PM by partgypsy »

dsmexpat

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #44 on: May 11, 2015, 12:33:28 PM »
I don't have a hang up about having a proper burial, and was leaning towards donating body to science, but after reading "Stiff" I don't think I can do it. I know, I will be dead and shouldn't care, but it still gives me the creeps, basically don't have any right to say what happens to your body. I have on my license to be an organ donor, but whole body, that is another level.

My preference would be buried in a park or forest, some place of nature, as long as there was an inexpensive/legal way to do that.
Join an Indian nation. They can do whatever the hell they like with their own.

partgypsy

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #45 on: May 11, 2015, 12:34:37 PM »
Yes! Left on a cliff, so the eagles and vultures can pick my body clean. That would be cool.

Frankies Girl

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #46 on: May 11, 2015, 12:43:51 PM »
Has no one mentioned body farms? If there wasn't such a wait list, it would be my first choice. Because forensic science rocks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_farm

paddedhat

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #47 on: May 11, 2015, 03:51:15 PM »
My father passed at the VA hospital in the San Diego area. The affairs officer made arrangements with the Trident Society to do the cremation. They were first class to deal with, and the charge was about $900, IIRC. By paying the bill out of my pocket, I was eventually reimbursed by the VA. Eventually, as in nearly a year and a half later, but I was informed that it would take that long when I submitted the documents, so no harm.

G-dog

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #48 on: May 12, 2015, 05:37:14 AM »
If you want to donate your body you probably have to do that before you turn 65 yo (age limit may vary by organization). Also, even if you have the forms in place, the institution my refuse you once you die - it will depend on how badly they need cadavers. You can be refused for your medical history, your weight at death, and maybe cause of death.

Your state laws will govern some options. For example, some states do not require that you be embalmed. Some states have some locations where it is OK to sprinkle your ashes.

Actual cremains can be a bit chunky - if you intend to be sprinkled, there may be some further processing they can do.

RootofGood

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Re: Inexpensive means of afterlife care?
« Reply #49 on: May 12, 2015, 07:30:30 AM »
I thought this post was going to be about tithing, buying indulgences or something similar. 

Anyway, +1 on the cremation and BYOB.  My parents have already told me to go this route and to sprinkle their remains on their favorite spots on earth.  One spot is a specific place in the mountains in NC, the other is in the ocean at a favorite spot on the coast.  It might be illegal to put the remains where they have requested, but that's one law I'll probably break.