[bannie]

Cremations...provide a dead person's loved ones more flexibility about how and when to memorialize.

I tell the kids that they have to have my ashes made into a couple of REALLY UGLY VASES, so that they'll be stuck with some ugly piece that they can't throw away.

I do tell them that; but what I'm really going to have done:

When you get your 21-gun salute, the soldiers hand the next-of-kin the empty shell casings. I'm gonna have my son put some ashes in each of them and have them sealed with a soldered lid--for my kids. (They can toss the rest of the ashes.) I keep trying to get my daddy to agree to do this too.

Seriously, doesn't that sound like a cool idea????

[Titan Magroyne]

When you get your 21-gun salute, the soldiers hand the next-of-kin the empty shell casings. I'm gonna have my son put some ashes in each of them and have them sealed with a soldered lid--for my kids. (They can toss the rest of the ashes.) I keep trying to get my daddy to agree to do this too.
Matra fact, that is a ROCKIN idea. I imagine a jeweler could be induced to etch your name, rank, service & dates on them, tho cost may be prohibitive.

I love old cemeteries with their personalised markers. But I will join the ranks of crematees when my time comes. Can't see much point in taking up more reale estate.

I've always thought it grotesque to pretty up a dead body with makeup for the odd ceremony of ppl saying, "Look how pretty/handsome." They lie! LOL Nobody looks like they did when alive after a stranger gets done smearing their faces and styling their hair. For Pete's sake, recognise the validity of the dead human vessel. It's simply another stage of this earthly life cycle.

(Besides, after all that expert cosmetic attention, wouldn't it just blow chunks if everyone walks away thinking you look better than in life? Heh heh)

That said, I will honor my mother's wishes for the traditional treatment, including the viewing. Blecch