Burial or Cremation? (mystic, virtual, funeral, coffin, catholic)

[Phasmid]

I don't know... I kind of think of my body as being almost seperate from me... I actually feel sorry for IT when I get injured. It's served me well and has been working amazingly considering all the rubbish I eat and drink. I made the mistake of consenting for my body to be used in medical research. I had to check a load of boxes when I was applying for my driver's licence. And I think I checked it unwittingly. So no doubt when I die some sick med student will cut of my genitals and play hilarious pranks on their fellow students... I need to find a way to change what I consented to.

[sandy whitelinger]

Chorus from John Prine's "Please Don't Bury Me:"

Please don't bury me
Down in that cold cold ground
No, I'd druther have "em" cut me up
And pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane
And the blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears
If they don't mind the size
Give my stomach to Milwaukee
If they run out of beer
Put my socks in a cedar box
Just get "em" out of here
Venus de Milo can have my arms
Look out! I've got your nose
Sell my heart to the junkman
And give my love to Rose

[Phasmid]

It'd be nice if there was an instant vapourisation method. The thought of my body rotting in a box under-ground (or waking up in it) is unpleasant as is the thought of it burning to ash (or waking up during it). A nice quick blast from a phaser would suit me.

[Seyorni]

Soylent Green?

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by w00t

Is it true that in the US the body is usually on display in an open coffin at the funeral? This very rarely happens, if ever, in the UK.

I don't believe the body is generally on display at the funeral itself, but for a period of time (a couple of hours generally) prior to the funeral, when people can come and give their condolences to the surviving family members. I'd say that's the general rule, though it is not always followed. My dad had requested before he died that he not have an open casket, so we didn't. He'd said, "I don't want people looking at me when I'm dead!" The casket itself was in the room with us when we greeted people who had come to see us, but it was closed.

As far as burial or cremation is concerned, I'd prefer to be cremated, but only if my family feels okay about it. After all, they're the ones who have to deal with what to do with my body, so if they choose to bury me instead, I don't intend to do anything to stop them.

[Darkness]

I chose neither. I want to be placed on a small Viking ship (with a black sail, of course) and then have bowman launch fiery arrows to burn me at sea.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by Darkness

I chose neither. I want to be placed on a small Viking ship (with a black sail, of course) and then have bowman launch fiery arrows to burn me at sea.

Just as long as they don't try to file a claim with the insurance company for a boat fire.

[Darkness]

Originally Posted by Francine

Just as long as they don't try to file a claim with the insurance company for a boat fire.

You can have the insurance money, if you want. I have a soft spot for Catholics.

[rajakrsna]

Originally Posted by w00t

I want to be cremated. My husband says he will put my ashes in an egg-timer/s so I can be useful after death.

In a small country like the UK cremation seems sensible!

Remember when the Egyptians buried their Pharoah in the pyramid`s tomb with him also went his entourage? That also goes for cremation with it goes the maggots & germs(living entities) that fest on the dead body.

[Somkid]

Cremation is the common Buddhist practice, no fuss no muss I think a funeral here including the beautiful wooden (not compressed cardboard mind you) box costs $250 lock, stock and barrel.