Hello to all the BLs. I've been chatting with friends and family about how much to spend on my funeral. Remembering of course that I refuse to pay for anything I can't join in.
Anyway, after some deep thought and soul searching of at least one minute, I pronounced to all present that in contradiction to my earlier wish to be buried in a grave in a Catholic Cemetery, I had moved on from thoughts of a cardboard box, carrying my mortal remains, in the back of a van, to a woodside glade, and now wish to be cremated. (so as not to be buried alive by mistake. Paula and her claustrophobia will understand that bit)
The money that would have been be spent on my funeral would be used to take my ashes by plane to the banks of the Ganges. At Varanesi I will have my ashes sprinkled on the Holy River. My 'postman/woman' can then have a bloody good holiday in India and make even more memories in which I will have some small part.
So, Beautiful Losers, any thoughts in response?
Bye the way, I am not a Hindu/Budhhist/Jain or anything to do with the religions which revere the Ganges. I simply like the idea of being sprinkled where millions have found peace and tranquility.
Where to go when I Die?
-
Byron
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2002 3:01 pm
- Location: Mad House, Eating Tablets, Cereals, Jam, Marmalade and HONEY, with Albert
Where to go when I Die?
"Bipolar is a roller-coaster ride without a seat belt. One day you're flying with the fireworks; for the next month you're being scraped off the trolley" I said that.
Ganges river?
I would prefer a quieter place...for example a virgin forest (or some place isolated )
-
Byron
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2002 3:01 pm
- Location: Mad House, Eating Tablets, Cereals, Jam, Marmalade and HONEY, with Albert
Sandra, hello. I like the idea of a woodland burial and in fact I have several pieces of literature about it. Newspapers got hold of the idea about 2 years ago and many of them had articles on farmers and local authorities getting together to meet a growing demand from the 'green' lobby of the death comes to everyone enlighteners. Its not some sort of wierd sect or a bunch of cranks.
The graves are positioned in areas of surrounding trees. Family and friends visit a truly beautiful place to look in on the dear departed. You can do the whole thing yourself with cardboard and cheap transport. The articles came about because of the publication of the vast sums of money which funeral firms were taking off people when those people were at their most vulnerable, following the death of a family member. There's far more to look at, but not now. (Its 12:35am in UK)
I certainly understand your reasoning. Let's see if any more mortals want to share their final resting place with us. (pun intendead) (ditto)
Byron 'sends his regards'.
The graves are positioned in areas of surrounding trees. Family and friends visit a truly beautiful place to look in on the dear departed. You can do the whole thing yourself with cardboard and cheap transport. The articles came about because of the publication of the vast sums of money which funeral firms were taking off people when those people were at their most vulnerable, following the death of a family member. There's far more to look at, but not now. (Its 12:35am in UK)
I certainly understand your reasoning. Let's see if any more mortals want to share their final resting place with us. (pun intendead) (ditto)
Byron 'sends his regards'.
"Bipolar is a roller-coaster ride without a seat belt. One day you're flying with the fireworks; for the next month you're being scraped off the trolley" I said that.
Oh, okay, Byron ~ I didn't realize that you were hoping for our own preferences to be shared. The initial response I'd considered was, "WEll, Byron, thank you for sharing that 
." Funeral expenses are absurd. My preference is cremation, though I hadn't determined where I would wish my ashes to be scattered. Probably a split between the Keys and two parts of Michigan....a third to satisfy my Piscean nature and to be where I found such joy in living; a third to be in northern Michigan where I spent the time of my marriage; and the final third to return to my southern Michigan, childhood home. Leonard's music to be played at all three scatterings.
." Funeral expenses are absurd. My preference is cremation, though I hadn't determined where I would wish my ashes to be scattered. Probably a split between the Keys and two parts of Michigan....a third to satisfy my Piscean nature and to be where I found such joy in living; a third to be in northern Michigan where I spent the time of my marriage; and the final third to return to my southern Michigan, childhood home. Leonard's music to be played at all three scatterings.
At death
Byron, is it better to be cremated alive by mistake?
Seriously though, I have given a few minutes thought to this eventuality over the years. I have imagined that if I was prescient to my imminent death and I was still fit to walk; I should like to disappear into the Australian bush and sit down under a tree to await my time. I like the idea of the natural environment that I love so dearly, to consume my remains and thus recycle the nutrients. Thats it.
Regards,
Seriously though, I have given a few minutes thought to this eventuality over the years. I have imagined that if I was prescient to my imminent death and I was still fit to walk; I should like to disappear into the Australian bush and sit down under a tree to await my time. I like the idea of the natural environment that I love so dearly, to consume my remains and thus recycle the nutrients. Thats it.
Regards,
As I don't like enclosed spaces I will be cremated but I have left strict instructions that I am scattered. The thought of being stuck in an urn for ever is horrible.
I know you can get cardboard coffins and that is an option and I thought we could borrow an Estate car and put me on the top of roof racks and speed thru Penge to the crematorium. The danger is if you stop for traffic lights someone might steal me from the roof rack.
A funeral pyre in the back garden is an option but my neighbours complain about bonfires so they won't like that and as the back garden is also my pet cemertry I am running out of space to bury things. Taxidermy (sic) is something I won't be going for altho lots of people have thought I ought to get stuffed.
I know you can get cardboard coffins and that is an option and I thought we could borrow an Estate car and put me on the top of roof racks and speed thru Penge to the crematorium. The danger is if you stop for traffic lights someone might steal me from the roof rack.
A funeral pyre in the back garden is an option but my neighbours complain about bonfires so they won't like that and as the back garden is also my pet cemertry I am running out of space to bury things. Taxidermy (sic) is something I won't be going for altho lots of people have thought I ought to get stuffed.
-
Byron
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2002 3:01 pm
- Location: Mad House, Eating Tablets, Cereals, Jam, Marmalade and HONEY, with Albert
Paula. This is amazing. My far better half told me that as she fears being buried alive (even after a post mortem!) She doesn't want any fuss or expense to be wasted on her body. She said that we should build a bonfire in the back garden and put her in a cardboard box and put it on a funeral pyre. I follow much the same reasoning, but I thought I would let her get a holiday in India out of my ashes. She hasn't said yet what she wants us to do with her ashes. (I'm hoping for South America and the Andes) Her uncle died several years ago and is still in the urn on his wife's mantlepiece, because she can't bear to let him go and wants to go in the urn with him when her time is up. We don't know what she wants to do with their combined ashes. Suggestions on a postcard please and nothing naughty.
Byron 'sends his regards'.
Byron 'sends his regards'.
"Bipolar is a roller-coaster ride without a seat belt. One day you're flying with the fireworks; for the next month you're being scraped off the trolley" I said that.
I think the main thing for a funeral pyre is make sure the body is dead. I think it would be quite disconcerting if midway thru the funeral the body got up. It is similar to a BBQ without the minted chops and anyone putting potatos into the midst of the pyre ought to be discouraged.
The other thing I have a problem with is I don't want them to take my eyes (as a donor) because I believe in reincarnation and I don't want to come back blind - I know this is a silly thought but there you go.
I remember watching Mrs Ghandi's pyre on the news - I think it was her it could have been Mahatma and the relatives had to smash the skull to release the soul I think. I have probably got that wrong. But it was a really interesting event.
At the back of my mind I can also remember a culture where if the man died his widow (still alive) was thrown on the pyre to go with him. Can anyone shed any light on that little gem?
The other thing I have a problem with is I don't want them to take my eyes (as a donor) because I believe in reincarnation and I don't want to come back blind - I know this is a silly thought but there you go.
I remember watching Mrs Ghandi's pyre on the news - I think it was her it could have been Mahatma and the relatives had to smash the skull to release the soul I think. I have probably got that wrong. But it was a really interesting event.
At the back of my mind I can also remember a culture where if the man died his widow (still alive) was thrown on the pyre to go with him. Can anyone shed any light on that little gem?
Cremation for me.
I don't want to take up even more land in a church yard with an expensive headstone reminding others to remember me, and to also have a blank space ready for the inscription ' and the beloved wife of.....'
It could be the other way round, of course, depending on who goes first.. and I definitely don't want to see a headstone with space for my name.
Nope... it's definitely cremation and my ashes scattered to the winds... half in Derbyshire and half in Norfolk. I'm not sure which half for which mind you.
Once I'm scattered within the elements then I could end up anywhere... forever travelling... forever around... that suits me.
Isn't it good to display one's thoughts like this?... it lessens the morbidity.
So interesting to hear others comments about their own preferences... I especially like the idea of sitting under a tree but it reminds me of the Woody Allen quote "I don't mind dying, it's just that I don't want to be there when it happens"
Such maturity and humour in this thread, well most of it anyway.
Pete
I don't want to take up even more land in a church yard with an expensive headstone reminding others to remember me, and to also have a blank space ready for the inscription ' and the beloved wife of.....'
It could be the other way round, of course, depending on who goes first.. and I definitely don't want to see a headstone with space for my name.
Nope... it's definitely cremation and my ashes scattered to the winds... half in Derbyshire and half in Norfolk. I'm not sure which half for which mind you.
Once I'm scattered within the elements then I could end up anywhere... forever travelling... forever around... that suits me.
Isn't it good to display one's thoughts like this?... it lessens the morbidity.
So interesting to hear others comments about their own preferences... I especially like the idea of sitting under a tree but it reminds me of the Woody Allen quote "I don't mind dying, it's just that I don't want to be there when it happens"
Such maturity and humour in this thread, well most of it anyway.
Pete
Well, p., your generosity is only exceeded by your poor taste. Be that as it may, since I'm vegetarian, a BBQ would hardly be appropriate. I already have plans made, anyway, so can only thank you for your kindness. A shame to pollute the air with all that propane and smoke, so perhaps someone else may happen along that you can entice in your direction. In that this offer has to do with what to do after the fact, rather than getting me into that state, I doubt deletion will be an issue.
-
Byron
- Posts: 3171
- Joined: Tue Nov 26, 2002 3:01 pm
- Location: Mad House, Eating Tablets, Cereals, Jam, Marmalade and HONEY, with Albert
On a more personal level, I heard a lovely comment on the beauty of a life-long friendship with the person you have been lucky enough to find and marry (or partner). "If she dies on Monday, I want to die on Tuesday". I read this in an autobiography recently and it was the author's father who used to say this even after a loud and lively argument with his wife. It highlights the honesty which true hearts can bring to a relationship. Now I've gone all soppy!
Byron 'sends his regards'.
Byron 'sends his regards'.
"Bipolar is a roller-coaster ride without a seat belt. One day you're flying with the fireworks; for the next month you're being scraped off the trolley" I said that.
My father was ill and his mind was gone for several years before he died. My mother didn't want to be reminded of his death every day by having his ashes on her mantlepiece, but I wanted to wipe out the years of his illness and think of him as he was before - so I made a pottery urn bearing a depiction of wine and women - which was what he enjoyed most - and his humour was always wonderfully entertaining. Due to circumstances I didn't get his ashes, but I have the urn prominently displayed and whenever I see it I remember the reason for it's existence and I have a little chuckle at how my father would've appreciated the thought - so it serves it's purpose after all, albeit without his mortal remains.
The point is that when I'm gone I don't really think I'll mind very much where the physical remains reside - funerals. cremations, burials are for the benefit of those still here, so I'll leave it up to them to do what suits them best - as long as they're sure I'm really dead - like everyone here I also have a dread of being buried/burnt alive.
Jo
The point is that when I'm gone I don't really think I'll mind very much where the physical remains reside - funerals. cremations, burials are for the benefit of those still here, so I'll leave it up to them to do what suits them best - as long as they're sure I'm really dead - like everyone here I also have a dread of being buried/burnt alive.
Jo
"... to make a pale imitation of reality with twenty-six juggled letters"
"... all words are lies because they can only represent one of many levels of being"
Sober noises of morning in a marginal land.
"... all words are lies because they can only represent one of many levels of being"
Sober noises of morning in a marginal land.