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Benedict Arnold

Cremation or burial?

Which is the most practical? Which do you prefer? Or would you prefer a Viking send-off, set adrift in a blazing longboat?

Posted - February 16, 2017
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Responses


  • 6124
    My pleasure.  It's important to help people realize their dreams.
      February 18, 2017 9:47 AM MST
    3

  • 7280
    I have the occasional thought of donating my body to medical science---but I need to be aware of the sensitivities and sensibilities of my wife and the kids and their families...And I assume that would result in cremation...

    But funerals are for the living, not the dead---so I'm not fixed on any one option.
      February 18, 2017 10:04 AM MST
    6

  • That's the most pertinent comment made so far, Tom. Funerals are a necessary part of saying good by, a step toward moving on. 
      February 18, 2017 2:52 PM MST
    2

  • 3375
    This is true.  Neither one of my parents wanted a funeral and our family is scattered.  I found grieving them a pretty lonely experience.  :(
      February 18, 2017 4:05 PM MST
    2

  • 13395
    I am having my body donated to medical science. No funeral expenses. 
    No objection from family members. 
      February 18, 2017 1:38 PM MST
    5

  • I doubt that mine would be much use. They'd probably get more use out of fitter, younger bodies. 
      February 18, 2017 2:54 PM MST
    3

  • 3375
    There are some expenses depending on where you want to be donated to.  Please see my post below.  
      February 18, 2017 3:09 PM MST
    3

  • 3375
    I do want to educate everyone on donation to medical science.  A family member of mine opted for this and I fulfilled her wishes.  She had all the paperwork done ten years ago, so there was no question of her final wishes.  But what was rather shocking and upsetting for me anyway, was the bills I received from the funeral home where she was taken to before donation.  I didn't even know a funeral home would be involved, but the medical institution she donated herself to, had this process.  We were also billed for all the transportation and trust me, they charge whatever they want.  When I looked over the paperwork to see if we were really responsible, it was there in writing that we would be.  Sadly, my family member never saw this in the fine print.  Of course we took care of these final expenses, but donation is not free.
      February 18, 2017 3:05 PM MST
    3

  • 6124
    Well that is very disconcerting.

    I do know from personal experience that funeral homes will gouge and there isn't a lot you can do about it.  There are some honest ones out there but generally speaking they take advantage of the fact that the bereaved aren't thinking clearly.  I know this sounds creepy but the best thing you can do is to make an appointment and get your arrangements with the costs agreed to ahead of time.  My MIL did that.  She prepaid it, and it wound up being the easiest part of the whole process for us.   
      February 18, 2017 3:37 PM MST
    3

  • 3375
    I so agree.  It was a shock and getting the bills after "accepting" that there would be no funeral for my loved one was very upsetting.  I know she would have been mortified to know this.  And yes, anyone considering this needs to ask about ALL the costs.  It was never about the money as much as receiving bills that were worded in a very cold way.  I would have thought the medical institute that she went to would have covered these costs for this most generous donation.
      February 18, 2017 3:43 PM MST
    3