Burial or cremation?

[Allereli]

I don't comprehend wanting to be burried, and recent news about cemetaries recycling plots disgusts me.

What I'd really like would be to be made into a diamond, but that would be after cremation.

Discuss, vote, have a good weekend

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/10/illinois.cemetery/index.html

[radamanthys]

You forgot about frozen, you insensitive clod. :-p

[Allereli]

You forgot about frozen, you insensitive clod. :-p

lol just reply if you want to be Ted Williams

[4a6c1]

I'm not going to be a gravestone that people dont visit. Fuck that. BURNT AND IN THE WIND.

Besides, I'll have a new body by then: why dwell on the past?

[Stanley Burrell]

Probably buried.

They'll have to check my dental records though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCXmYMPEAlc

Do not fucking click that.

[diethx]

If those are my only two choices by the time i'm gonna die, definitely cremation. I know i'll be dead and it probably won't matter, but the idea of burial (yes, after death, not alive, pff) makes my skin crawl for multiple reasons.

[CrystalTears]

I'd rather be cremated. I don't like the thought of being buried (yes claustrophobic even dead), nor do I like people having to go to a plot to "see" me. Either keep me in an urn in the house, or sprinkle me into the sea. Just don't stick me in a coffin. Blech.

[diethx]

Just don't stick me in a coffin. Blech.

Agreed, unless of course he is also in the coffin:

http://daily.starcentralmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/38735a1b.jpg

[Renian]

I may never know. I intend to live forever.

/Arthas

[4a6c1]

HEY. How do people feel about being donated to science?

I considered that too.

[diethx]

HEY. How do people feel about being donated to science?

I considered that too.

Better than being buried, but still not something i'd do.

[radamanthys]

HEY. How do people feel about being donated to science?

I considered that too.

I'm an organ donor. I hope people have use for my eyes and shit. My liver probably looks like a box of burnt raisins by now, and my lungs like a coal miner's so those are likely useless. Otherwise, they can have whatever.

[diethx]

Organ donor != donated to science. I am considering becoming an organ donor, though.

[Keller]

I don't comprehend wanting to be burried, and recent news about cemetaries recycling plots disgusts me.

What I'd really like would be to be made into a diamond, but that would be after cremation.

Discuss, vote, have a good weekend

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/10/illinois.cemetery/index.html

Many cemetaries rent out plots. Need to make room for the newly dead!

[DoctorUnne]

I'm an organ donor. I hope people have use for my eyes and shit. My liver probably looks like a box of burnt raisins by now, and my lungs like a coal miner's so those are likely useless. Otherwise, they can have whatever.

Why would people have a use for your shit?

[4a6c1]

Research. And for teaching colleges. It gives medical examiners and diagnosticians serious experience before they try their skillz on actual people. How you think doctors learn their shit? On blow up dolls?

[Spectral]

You can also have your cremains sent into outer space as another option to the usual spinkling in the wind or ocean. Maybe those dreams of being an astronaut can come true after all...

[diethx]

You can also have your cremains sent into outer space as another option to the usual spinkling in the wind or ocean. Maybe those dreams of being an astronaut can come true after all...

Haha, I can't say I haven't thought about that. :D

[Keller]

Research. And for teaching colleges. It gives medical examiners and diagnosticians serious experience before they try their skillz on actual people. How you think doctors learn their shit? On blow up dolls?

I doubt blow-up dolls produce fecal matter.

But I agree, donated shit would be useful for doctors to learn about shit.

[Methais]

You forgot about frozen, you insensitive clod. :-p

You forgot being stuffed too.

[CrystalTears]

Agreed, unless of course he is also in the coffin:

http://daily.starcentralmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/38735a1b.jpgWell that's my other option... turn me into a vampire!

[Some Rogue]

Why would you want a gay guy in the coffin with you?

[diethx]

He's not gay in my fantasy. :)

[Geshron]

He's not gay in my fantasy. :)

As gay is the day is long, I hope you guys plan on talking about the interior decor of the coffin and are familiar with Judy Garland's career :yes:

[Mikalmas]

He's not gay in my fantasy. :)

He is in mine! :tumble:

[diethx]

As gay is the day is long, I hope you guys plan on talking about the interior decor of the coffin and are familiar with Judy Garland's career :yes:

Obviously you have trouble with the concept of a fantasy. I'm sorry. :/

[Stanley Burrell]

I didn't think vampires could actually be gay.

Then I Google Imaged "gay vampire."

http://murderburger.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/gay-vampire-1.jpg

Very informative.

[AestheticDeath]

I'm so sexy I will be placed in a large glass cylinder of formaldehyde and preserved forever so that others can enjoy the sight.

Or maybe cremation at sea in a longship with a dozen concubine slaves...

[radamanthys]

You forgot being stuffed too.

omfg human taxidermy would be the scariest shit ever.

[Gan]

Cremation.

I do not wish to be in the way after I'm gone. I think its extremely selfish to continue to take up land and be a burden upon society after one dies.

[ElanthianSiren]

disco inferno.

I'm also an organ doner, and donation to science wouldn't upset me either as another venue.

edit: Burial wouldn't disturb me, but for the preservation and box part of it. IMO it's extra cost for things not particularly useful.

[radamanthys]

Compost me, grow hops/barley. Throw a kegger in my honor. You could drink to me, with me.

[4a6c1]

Cremation.

I do not wish to be in the way after I'm gone. I think its extremely selfish to continue to take up land and be a burden upon society after one dies.

This is an awesome logical argument for forced cremation. Dont tell Obama or he'll burn us all.

[Wesley]

http://daily.starcentralmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/38735a1b.jpg

Who is she? Why does she have bags under her eyes? I do not like her lipstick.

Also, I would like to be preserved in a tar pit (when I die).

Edit:

I changed my mind. This idea has merit.

http://forum.gsplayers.com/showpost.php?p=959064&postcount=7

Nourishment is good, especially for growing dinosaurs because dinosaurs do not like to drink milk even though their moms say so because it is gross so they need to get calcium because calcium builds strong bones. The end. By Wesley.

[Drinin]

Aint no way I'm contributing to the zombie apocalypse. Burn baby burn!

[Wesley]

Also...I was just reading this thread:

http://forum.gsplayers.com/showthread.php?t=44453

And it gave me an idea.

Why is there no option saying that you would like to be eaten when you die?

http://rlv.zcache.com/if_we_are_not_supposed_to_eat_humans_why_did_g_tsh irt-p235343057034108816uhl4_210.jpg

[Androidpk]

Cremate me and smoke my ashes.

http://videodetective.com/photos/566/023779_13.jpg

[MrTastyHead]

I think not being an organ donor is horribly selfish. Other than that, if somebody finds my body before it rots, I'm all for it going to scientific research.

[Drew]

You can also have your cremains sent into outer space as another option to the usual spinkling in the wind or ocean. Maybe those dreams of being an astronaut can come true after all...

The problem with that is, IMO, they launch you into LEO. Your remains never escape earth orbit, they just slowly decay over a period of about 50 years before crashing back to earth. I've always thought the appeal of being launched into space includes ones remains floating into the vast nothingness forever.

[Spectral]

The problem with that is, IMO, they launch you into LEO. Your remains never escape earth orbit, they just slowly decay over a period of about 50 years before crashing back to earth. I've always thought the appeal of being launched into space includes ones remains floating into the vast nothingness forever.

Notice i said cremains, not remains....they send your ashes into space! So that upon reentry, your ashes are vaporized and you become part of the atmosphere. After googling it, its surprizingly cheap too. Maybe you can even get them to add a midi to the container of "I believe I can fly".

[Methais]

Notice i said cremains, not remains....they send your ashes into space! So that upon reentry, your ashes are vaporized and you become part of the atmosphere. After googling it, its surprizingly cheap too. Maybe you can even get them to add a midi to the container of "I believe I can fly".

So that's where "global warming" comes from...

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Cremated and then spread in a forest/wherever stuff grows.

I do not want my body to be kept in a little space, cremated OR simply a corpse, for people to come visit (or not visit).

The first time I went to see my mothers remains, it was a tiny little niche with her picture and the little box of her ashes, in a wall of hundreds of other niches with little boxes and pictures. Probably one of the most depressing experiences of my life, and not because she's dead.. but because it's depressing to see a human being reduced to nothing more but a tiny niche. It emphasizes how pointless we are while at the same time coming across as being selfish.

I felt more "alone" with my mother when I simply thought of her sitting by myself somewhere than in a room filled with the remains of hundreds of dead people condensed into tiny spaces. I don't think the same happening to me when I'm gone would provide real comfort to anyone. Takes up space and for nothing but making those who visit feel like crap.

[Stanley Burrell]

I was seriously sick when my grandfather passed away. I couldn't make it to his funeral at the time.

Several months later, I attended the unveiling at his grave site. It gave me a sense of respect, towards my grandfather, that I felt I deeply owed him for not attending his funeral. I could have, had he been cremated, gone to a tree planted in his honor, or lit a candle, but for me, personally, I am grateful that he was buried and I could touch his commemorative plaque and place stones next to it.

I'm not very spiritual. At all, heh. But something about this truly touched me. The graveyard is very somber and peaceful.

[diethx]

The graveyard is very somber and peaceful.

I disagree. It's probably different in other, less populated parts of the country, but the cemetery where my family owns plots (Mount Hebron) is garbage. You can't visit anyone without standing on three other people. And you need to go watch a casket be lowered into the ground? Be prepared to stand on someone else's grave while you wait. It's not like it is in the movies or on TV. Unfortunately my grandma will be buried there one day next to my grandpa, and my mom will be buried next to my stepdad. I don't understand how anyone could want to have their eternal rest in a place like that.

[Stanley Burrell]

I disagree. It's probably different in other, less populated parts of the country, but the cemetery where my family owns plots (Mount Hebron) is garbage. You can't visit anyone without standing on three other people. And you need to go watch a casket be lowered into the ground? Be prepared to stand on someone else's grave while you wait. It's not like it is in the movies or on TV. Unfortunately my grandma will be buried there one day next to my grandpa, and my mom will be buried next to my stepdad. I don't understand how anyone could want to have their eternal rest in a place like that.

Well, the cemetery where he (my grandfather) was buried had enough space in the ground to safely step around other graves.

It's weird, but just the idea of having to pussyfoot around gravestones makes me realize, right now, that even though I'd casually toss out, "I'm sure the other folks here don't mind it too much," that I would, still, creep around headstones and what have you, and it wouldn't be because I'd be afraid of upsetting the living. I would love to say that's a trained behaviour, but I don't usually go for strolls in the cemetery.

What the hell?

[MrTastyHead]

I have a headstone in my bedroom. Don't know who's it is though.

[Stanley Burrell]

I have a headstone in my bedroom. Don't know who's it is though.

That's kind of cool.

I always wanted one of those I'm-the-boss style office desks so that I could ceremoniously place a human skull on it.

[diethx]

I have a headstone in my bedroom. Don't know who's it is though.

Like you really needed to get weirder.

[MrTastyHead]

You have no clue how weird I am. For serious.

[Tisket]

There is a news teaser ad running for the local news tonight about a guy who had the cremated remains of his friend made into ink and used in a tattoo.

That's going to be my new litmus test of a true friend. If you aren't willing to IMBED MY ASHES IN YOUR BODY FOR ALL TIME then you are no friend of mine.

[MrTastyHead]

I always wanted one of those I'm-the-boss style office desks so that I could ceremoniously place a human skull on it.

One of the things that I'm looking forward to, when it comes to owning a variety of large animals, is the skulls/bones that I'll be able to get when they die. A few humans thrown in would be nice too. The shitty thing is you don't have much room for error when working with them.

[Jayvn]

soylent green

[Latrinsorm]

Having my bones carved into weapons and my skin tanned to armor for the True Believers during Armageddon, and I guess one of the bald guys could have a bitchin' toupee.

[radamanthys]

Having my bones carved into weapons and my skin tanned to armor for the True Believers during Armageddon, and I guess one of the bald guys could have a bitchin' toupee.

Nothing like getting beaten to death with the bottom half of a leg, complete with 'pearl red' painted toenails.

[Drew]

If you aren't willing to IMBED MY ASHES IN YOUR BODY FOR ALL TIME then you are no friend of mine.


I also have a litmus test that involves you letting me imbed something in your body.

[Belnia]

Cremation + Urn will run ~$1000

Burial ceremony, casket, plot will run ~$6000.

That's a $5000 difference which could be used for a pretty awesome wake with lots of alcohol, stories and good times.

[diethx]

I'm honestly surprised at how many of us prefer the idea of cremation over burial. I mean, I understand it obviously, but still very surprised.

[Stanley Burrell]

Cremation + Urn will run ~$1000

Burial ceremony, casket, plot will run ~$6000.

That's a $5000 difference which could be used for a pretty awesome wake with lots of alcohol, stories and good times.

Heh. My wealthier relatives were all cremated. I can tell you that as far as services go, their immediate families definitely paid quite a bit more for arrangements beyond simple burial.

Plus, all these cremation "add-ons" where after burning a body into nothingness, and then taking fine carbon matter to launch into outer space or be sprinkled over the Amazon doesn't seem like it would be free of charge.

I wonder if I can write a "for alcohol-only" clause in my will. That would rock. Um ... If I could actually be fermented and turned into drinkable booze I'd so fucking do that.


I'm honestly surprised at how many of us prefer the idea of cremation over burial. I mean, I understand it obviously, but still very surprised.

Burying and burning are both age-old. And for the most part, even with all of our science and sophistication, we still haven't deviated that much from two ancient traditions, which I guess is sort of neat in a way.

Edited to add: The dichotomy today is amazing to me. You don't have to be religious, or a historian of burial techniques, and there's still something, I feel, that's just ultimately human about either wanting/ultimately choosing to be burned or buried. Not that we aren't given a lot of options outside of that norm, but it seems like something that's almost primordial and an instinctual process about the way we treat the dead.

[Gan]

Individual burial space tends to start around $400-$500 per space. Add to that an opening charge of around $400-$600 per space plus a vault around $1,000. So far, around $2,000.

Those costs are eliminated if cremation takes place after the services, average $3000 plus casket, average. $2000.

An immediate cremation (without visitation) is the least costly way to go, around $1,000.

So,the typical funeral with burial is about $7,000. A typical funeral with cremation, about $5,000. Immediate cremation, $1,000. -- David R. Shirley (http://www.funeralplan.com/askexperts/meetexperts.html#david)
http://www.funeralplan.com/askexperts/funeralcost.html

Guess you cant 'rent' a casket for services prior to cremation. :lol:

Cremation then services with urn next to picture. Flowers are optional. Open bar requested.

[4a6c1]

I'm honestly surprised at how many of us prefer the idea of cremation over burial. I mean, I understand it obviously, but still very surprised.

I'm a serious nazi when it comes to clutter. This badness shows its ugly face in every aspect of my life, including my opinions about the dead. I think that in order to remember someone you should think about them to honor them, not cling onto their physicality as if it will bring them back.

So while permanence and consistency make up my opinions about every day life, I feel death is something you should definately think about only impulsively, if even that.

Most people probably feel this way until they get into old age, and want to be remembered and/or their family wants to honor them (in my opinion) the wrong way.

[Drew]

I'm honestly surprised at how many of us prefer the idea of cremation over burial. I mean, I understand it obviously, but still very surprised.

When I die I plan to disappear as I become one with the force.

[TheRunt]

Guess you cant 'rent' a casket for services prior to cremation. :lol:


Actually you can, at least at some funeral parlors. We rented the one for my Mom. The majority of the rent was for replacing the insert.

As for myself I've told my family I want the old fashioned viking funeral, lots of booze and games at the wake, then a burning boat ride.

My wife says I'll be lucky for a cremation on the weber, she's just going to stick me in a hole in the backyard.:wtf:

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I'm a serious nazi when it comes to clutter. This badness shows its ugly face in every aspect of my life, including my opinions about the dead. I think that in order to remember someone you should think about them to honor them, not cling onto their physicality as if it will bring them back.

So while permanence and consistency make up my opinions about every day life, I feel death is something you should definately think about only impulsively, if even that.

Most people probably feel this way until they get into old age, and want to be remembered and/or their family wants to honor them (in my opinion) the wrong way.

Eh, my grandma made it pretty clear in no uncertain terms that she wants her ashes to be given to the Neptune Society and dumped in the sea, like my grandpa. So I don't think it's old age so much as personality/upbringing.

Though I really agree with you about death being impulsive/superfluous rather than a permanent fixture.

I think that's what bugged me about seeing my mother's ashes. I felt like in trying to honor her with something permanent, all it did was really reduce her to almost nothing. I've felt that way whenever I've looked at the physical remains of death. Nothing physical can really do justice to the gravity and emotion of a person, their life, and their demise.

[Beguiler]

My preference would be cremation. However, let's face it, funerals/memorials, etc. are for the living. My spirit will be long gone from my mortal remains. If it comforts my family to have me buried..feh. If they want a place to go and drop flowers off and think of me, who am I to deny them that.

If they choose to have me cremated, the Navy has provisions to bury veteran's remains at sea, and I'd like that option, while they play The Sailor's Hymn. Once a squid, always a squid.

[TheEschaton]

I plan on having a shrine erected in my honor, with a bust of me decked out Jim Morrison style (IE, completely defaced), and have it be a tourist attraction for people who want to remember the innocence of their younger days. Perhaps with an eternal flame.

In serious, probably cremated. Definitely not donated to science - I don't want some dumbass med student violating my body. If cremated, I don't really want to be "spread" anywhere, seems pointless and somewhat nihilist. I think the whole point of having people die in your life is to be able to have something to remember them by - an urn with a picture next to it sounds good. Your death is not about you, but your loved ones who survive you.

That's an odd phrase, to survive a person. But I like it.

-TheE-

This disjointed post was brought to you by the bar exam.

[Latrinsorm]

I don't want some dumbass med student violating my bodyWhat are you saving it for? You're not even using it! You're not gonna use it.

[Liagala]

What are you saving it for? You're not even using it! You're not gonna use it.

This. If I'm not using my body anymore, let someone else get some benefit from it. Donate it to science, let some jackass med student impale my liver on a pencil and gross out the girl at the next table, whatever. What do I care? I'm dead. Those who love me will have a lifetime of memories - my body rotting in a box in the ground, or reduced to ashes (which are more coffin than person anyway) won't make those memories any stronger or more meaningful. I'll have one last chance to help someone out.

I also think I'd make a really awesome looking zombie after being dissected.

[TheEschaton]

Because I believe in respecting the dead, and my descendants won't be able to respect something med students are chopping into pieces. Memories aren't enough, imo, you need a place, or an object, to reflect on.

Even Buddhists meditate on the black center of a flame.

-TheE-

[Liagala]

Because I believe in respecting the dead, and my descendants won't be able to respect something med students are chopping into pieces. Memories aren't enough, imo, you need a place, or an object, to reflect on.

Even Buddhists meditate on the black center of a flame.

-TheE-

I can understand that... but does said object really have to be my physical remains? Can it be a picture, a favorite item of mine, or something else that meant something to both myself and my loved one?

I haven't been back to the cemetary since leaving my Dad there, but Mom and I have spent hours looking through old pictures. We were cleaning out some of his things and found little "certificates" I had made him for his birthday when I was younger - they entitled him to a day without bugging him, a breakfast cooked by me, a hug, etc. He held onto them all these years, and once in a while threatened to turn one in. He loved those things. When I found them, those little slips of paper set off an entire day's worth of reminiscing. That meant far more to me than standing in a cemetary and staring at a stone block with his name on it ever could.

Anyway... /rambling. The point is, I feel that the dead can be remembered and respected with or without their physical remains. My body is not who I am.

[TheEschaton]

That's why I put that IMO in there. I had a loved one die when I was 16, and I went to her grave every year on the anniversary until I went to Africa when I was 24. Yes, I had pictures and memories, and that was good, but being somewhere where they physically are....that's overwhelmingly powerful, for me.

-TheE-

[MrTastyHead]

After thinking about this some more, I think that I would prefer for my body to rot in the woods and nobody to even know I'm dead. That way family or whoever could still hold on to the hope that I'm out there somewhere and doing well.

If my body is found though, definitely use it to further scientific knowledge. Especially my brain.

[Cephalopod]

I'd like someone to decapitate me, remove my heart, burn all the pieces and scatter the ashes over multiple bodies of moving water.

[Liagala]

I'd like someone to decapitate me, remove my heart, burn all the pieces and scatter the ashes over multiple bodies of moving water.

You read too much vampire porn

[ElvenFury]

There is a news teaser ad running for the local news tonight about a guy who had the cremated remains of his friend made into ink and used in a tattoo.

That's going to be my new litmus test of a true friend. If you aren't willing to IMBED MY ASHES IN YOUR BODY FOR ALL TIME then you are no friend of mine.

Can I pick where the tattoo is?

[Tisket]

Can I pick where the tattoo is?

I'll be dead so knock yourself out.

[Stanley Burrell]

I still want to start an experiment of taking a bunch of humans with no knowledge of burial techniques and put them on a deserted island and see how they honor the dead. Because I'm not working this Summer and am poor. Is why.

[ElvenFury]

I'll be dead so knock yourself out.

Nevermind. The Tisket-covered zombie penis doesn't sound as fun as it did originally. That, and I'm afraid that you'd itchy curse it from beyond the grave. :-C

[Bhuryn]

omfg human taxidermy would be the scariest shit ever.

Apparently there was/is a companyed called "preserve a life" that was/is offering this service. I remember reading out it awhile back but can't seem to find anything about them now.