Cremation or burial ? What is your choice ?

Many folks I know are set on cremation. IMO, I believe most of these people made that decision based on money and hassle.

My wife and I (both second marriages) have our plots and made and paid for the arrangements. Our kids (4 mine, 1 hers) will have no difficulties or decisions to make. Getting that done was relatively painless (Brookside in Houston), and has given us both piece of mind.

I would like to think that our loved ones will come periodically to visit us and place flowers, as my wife and I do for her loved ones (mine are all up north).

Of course, that likely won't happen, for once the "kids" get their inheritances, we will be history.
 

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My body is donated to a University Medical School and when the get done dissecting it or whatever, they cremate it and send the ashes back to a designated person. No charge. However, if it is badly damaged, they do not want it. :)
 
Olivia said:
That would be good news. That would mean you were still alive.. 😇
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I was thinking that maybe those nevere ending might still be able to transmit pain to the brain for a while after death. But having read those Edgar Allen Poe stories about premature burial that is also a concern. You want to be sure you are dead before you are buried or creamated.

 
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Nine years ago Mrs Manatee and I bought pre paid cremations from Neptune Society. They handled things well when she passed. We hired a schooner and family went out and scattered her in the Gulf of Mexico. At age 90 I expect that I am next, but no rush.
This makes it easier for the surviving family.
 
Pacemakers are removed before cremation because certain parts of the pacemaker, when subjected to intense heat may explode in the chamber or injure personnel working there.
Implantable Cardioverter- Defibrillators (ICDs) that are implanted in the heart to stop life threatening arrhythmias like pacemakers ICDs contain batteries that can explode in incinerators.
Spinal Cord Stimulators must be removed for cremation. Also, internal pumps/ports that are implanted to deliver medication e.g. regular chemo treatment.
Who removes the medical devices?
It's performed by the crematorium's mortician who is preparing the body for cremation.
 
I have with me still, my mother's, my maternal grandmother's, and one of my maternal great-grandmother's ashes. Each one was cremated at a different crematory, in 3 different cities (2009, 2017, 2024). I will be burying them soon.

My mother's and my great grandmother's ashes are a white / beige color. You can still see the cremated bones.

My grandmother's ashes though are completely powdery looking, no sign of any bones, and her ashes are a dark grey color. Can someone please tell me why? Was my grandmother burned more thoroughly or something? Please help if you can. I just want to make sure I got my grandmother, and I'm not being lied to by the funeral home/crematory. Thank you.
 
Fort Ott said:
I have with me still, my mother's, my maternal grandmother's, and one of my maternal great-grandmother's ashes. Each one was cremated at a different crematory, in 3 different cities (2009, 2017, 2024). I will be burying them soon.

My mother's and my great grandmother's ashes are a white / beige color. You can still see the cremated bones.

My grandmother's ashes though are completely powdery looking, no sign of any bones, and her ashes are a dark grey color. Can someone please tell me why? Was my grandmother burned more thoroughly or something? Please help if you can. I just want to make sure I got my grandmother, and I'm not being lied to by the funeral home/crematory. Thank you.
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Cremains within the gray-to-beige color range means everything is as it should be. Color differences depend on what type of casket or box the remains were put into for cremation; wood, wicker, heavy cardboard, etc.

Some funeral homes filter out the bone bits before giving the ashes to you.
 
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