Cremation or burial ? What is your choice ?

[fuzzybuddy]

About donating one's body to science. That's not always possible. Donating a body is not a sure thing. When some die, at that time, no one has need of a body. Most researchers want a normal body. Patients with cancer are usually rejected, due to the damage done by the cancer.

 

[BlueDragonfly]

More people are opting for cremation rather than burial, and that got me thinking. What do you do with an urn full of Great Aunt Lucy's ashes? Most of us have sketchy memories of grandparents, but how about 2-3 generations more down the line? Aunt Lucy won't mean too much to them, but her ashes are out in the shed. What do you do with urns of ashes from distant relatives?

My father was cremated. We got permission to bury the urn beside his mother's grave, at the feet. It has a small marker.

 

[Babs2u]

I've already mentioned that I will be cremated and my ashes placed in a creek or a natural spring behind my property, that way my essence will be spread over the place I loved.

I'm also considering a biodegradable urn. My thinking is that may be emotionally less painful for my kids than just dumping my ashes into the water, also they won't have to worry about ashes blowing into their eyes or mouth.lol. Seems easy enough to deposit the urn in the water and let it dissolve so my ashes simply float away.

I also have a creek in the back yard. It connects to a river and eventually to the Atlantic ocean. If a few ashes find their way to the ocean that would be OK. If they stay in the neighborhood that would be fine too.

 

[Gardenlover]

 

[Sunny]

Is anyone else struck by the humor of having this subject in the "Senior Living" section?

 

[Sunny]

Please Don't Bury Me
Song by John Prine ‧ 1973

… Woke up this morning
Put on my slippers
Walked in the kitchen and died
And oh what a feeling
When my soul went thru the ceiling
And on up into heaven I did ride
… When I got there they did say
John, it happened this a'way
You slipped upon the floor
And hit your head
And all the angels say
Just before you passed away
These were the very last words
That you said

… Please don't bury me
Down in the 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

… But please don't bury me
Down in the cold cold ground
I'd druther have 'em cut me up
And pass me all around
Throw my brain in a hurricane
The blind can have my eyes
And the deaf can take both of my ears
If they don't mind the size

… Give my feet to the footloose
Careless, fancy free
Give my knees to the needy
Don't pull that stuff on me
Hand me down my walking cane
It's a sin to tell a lie
Send my mouth way down south
And kiss my ass goodbye

… But 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

 

[PurplePower]

Cremation. After my Daisy Dog passed last year, I pre-planned and pre-paid for my funeral. My first question was can my ashes be mixed with my pets’ ashes. He said yes. They won’t all fit in one urn, so the remaining ashes can be scattered.

 

[hollydolly]

Interesting question.
I’ve thought about it more than I used to, especially as life feels more precious with time.

I think I’d choose cremation—not out of rejection of tradition, but because I like the idea that we’re not meant to stay in one place forever. Even after death, I’d rather be part of the wind, the earth, the sky… something that still moves.

Maybe have my ashes scattered somewhere I loved—where I laughed, cried, or just felt alive.
Because in the end, it’s not about the body—it’s about the imprint we leave behind in the hearts of those who knew us.

That said, I think it’s deeply personal. Some find peace in stillness and roots; others in motion and release.
I guess I fell into the second camp.

What about you?
Is your choice more about the body—or the memory?

You're only 38 why are you thinking about death !

 

[hollydolly]

Haha, I know, right?
Maybe I’m just mature beyond my years… or I binge-watch too many deep podcasts at midnight

But honestly, thinking about these things isn’t about being morbid.
It’s more about appreciating the time we do have—and figuring out how I want to live (and be remembered) while I’m here.

Plus, talking about death makes life feel even more vibrant—like a reminder to not waste a single moment.

So yeah, I’m 38 but also a little philosopher at heart.

Good for you, except you're not allowed to be on this forum, I;m afraid it's strictly 50 ears old and over... Hence Senior forum

 

[OldOld]

Yeah right and I just turned 21 yesterday.

 

[Olivia]

Hate to say it but cremation creates a lot of pollution which adds to climate change and carries a lot of
unhealthy chemicals. And uses a ton of fuel for three hours to burn a body.

 

[smiley]

can recall being a pall bearer [is thats wot they call them ?] to my fil funeral - never wanna have to do that again - no the old urn and the ashes are the way to go for me - my older church minister went that way recently and if its good enough for him ???????????