subject: Burial options and funeral planning tips [print this page] Burial options and funeral planning tips Burial options and funeral planning tips
When most people think of a funeral they imagine the traditional service. Family night with the possibility of viewing the deceased, funeral home or church service followed by a commital ceremony at the cemetery.Well, "the times they are a changin' " with many options available for your unique "farewell party". It is not unusual to attend a funeral or memorial service crafted around a theme including special music and poetry in a fitting location.
In the last twenty years the death-care industry has seen an increase in cremation primarily due to a lower pricetag and a general acceptance of the practise. This has resulted in the creation of creative options for human ashes, known as "cremains" in the industry. It is possible to have a "jewel" formed from the carbon content in the cremains orartwork on canvas made of ashes and fixative. Instead of parking an urn on a mantlepiece consider a granite bench or boulder with drilledholes to accomodate two, four even six family members.It is also possible to have yourcremains take a ride in space!
Donate your body to science! This is a popular choice for thrift-mindedindividuals. There are"body farms" where forensic scientists study the effects of decomposition undervarying conditions. You can be a part of solving acrime or murder.Some donated remains are used for medical research.Imagine becoming an integralcontributor to science.
Other options for cremation include placement in an artificial reef in the ocean,sea and air scattering services and ground burial in a cemetery or mausoleum niche. Most cemeteries will allow two burials in one plot-two cremations or one cremation with one traditional coffin burial. Check with your cemetery for rules, regulations, policies and even financing options!
If cremation does not appeal to you another choice is a green burial. The remains are buried in a biodegradable container such as wood, cloth or cardboard. No chemicals are used in the preparation of the body.The location of green cemeteries can be found online.
Generally it is a good idea to designate a final resting place to provided closure for loved ones.Some people think they will be honored in an urn sitting on a mantlepiece but the reality is most urnsend up tucked in a closet. And that is fine for some but just keep in mind a future generation may not feel compelled to respect an ancestor with which they had no contact.
In closing, the most important aspect of planning is documentation. A wonderful planning tool is available online- "Memorial Preferences" www.funeralplanworkbook.com This 17-page how-to workbook is essential for planning your own funeral or memorial service. Loaded with checklists and creative tips it guides you through the process of organizing all your vital paperwork. There are places to record your final arrangements, medical history, location of important documents such as insurance policies and your will. Record miitary service, family history, financial information and more. There is also an outline to write your own obituary. The workbook will be appreciated by your survivors as they will have the peace of mind knowing they are honoring your wishes and special requests.
