I know that this is the very, very...

[treky]

last thing that a lot of people want to think about...but unfortunately, everyone has to:

the passing of my father got us to thinking about choosing a burial plot, and if we want to be cremated or not when...that...happens.

So who else here has thought about it?

[shotzette]

It's a perfectly natural way for your mind to go considering your current circumstances.

My husband and I decided a few years ago after losing friends and family members in the space of a few years that we do NOT want open casket, but would prefer to be cremated. We've also decided that we would both prefer a wake with a full bar rather than a formal funeral. We'd like our friends to celebrate our lives in a less formal atmosphere.

[Family Ties Forever!]

I know you have to go one way or the other. I don't like either thought. Either being burned to a crisp or buried under ground. I know I would be dead, but the thought of being set on fire or buried is creepy.

To answer your question, I just don't know.

[dakert]

I have 3 cremated dogs and a brother-in-law here in the house so Cremation is okay with me

[MacLeaper]

First of all- my condolences to treky. May God bless and comfort your family in this time of grief.

As to the question at hand,
this song best summarizes my feelings on the matter.

"Elijah" by Rich Mullins (2 Kings 2:11, Matthew 6:19-21)

"The Jordan is waiting for me to cross through
My heart is aging I can tell
So Lord I'm begging for one last favor from You
Here's my heart take it where You will

This life has shown me how we're mended and how we're torn
How it's okay to be lonely as long as you're free
Sometimes my ground was stony
And sometimes covered up with thorns
And only You could make it what it had to be
And now that it's done
Well, if they dressed me like a pauper
Or if they dined me like a prince
If they lay me with my fathers
Or if my ashes scatter on the wind
I don't care

But when I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
Well, It'll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won't break my heart to say goodbye

There's people been friendly, but they'd never be your friend
Sometimes this has bent me to the ground
Now that this is all ending
I want to hear some music once again
'Cause it's the finest thing I have ever found

But the Jordan is waiting
Though I ain't ever seen the other side
They say you can't take in the things you have here
So on the road to salvation
I stick out my thumb and He gives me a ride
And His music is already falling on my ears

There's people been talking
They say they're worried about my soul
Well, I'm here to tell you I'll keep rocking
'Til I'm sure it's my time to roll
And when I do

When I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
Well, it'll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won't break my heart to say goodbye

When I leave I want to go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
Well, it'll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won't break my heart to say goodbye

The Jordan is waiting
The Jordan is waiting"


.....................................................................
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4naLg-j4TU)

The body is just the outer shell. It's what's inside that counts. As C.S. Lewis once said, "You don't have a soul- you are a soul." And I've put my soul in Jesus' hands, so I'm not worried about what happens to the body here- I'll get a new one in Heaven anyway. As 2 Corinthians 5:8 talks about, for those in Christ, to be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord- and there "He will fill me with joy in His presence and with eternal pleasures at His right hand." (Psalms 16:11)

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by shotzette

It's a perfectly natural way for your mind to go considering your current circumstances.

Yes and I am so sorry your having to go thru this treky!!

If i could I would give ya a big hug my friend,im sure you need as many friends as you can get now........

[treky]

thank you.

[James"Thunder"Early]

I would choose cremation and have thought about it, even though it is hopefully many decades away. My wishes are to be cremated and my ashes scattered on soil, with a tree planted in the spot.

[Ohio8]

Cremated and my ashes scattered on Lake Erie.

[Bigfreakindeal]

Cremated, ashes sprinkled over Giants Stadium.

[James28]

How come most people who pass away now have to be cremated upon their deaths rather than buried? Is it because of the lack of space at cemeteries for new burial plots?

[treky]

maybe they feel; as my mother said "it's better than having your body rotting in a grave somewhere!"

[Coffeecup]

People have cremations for it is So MUCH Cheaper. Also times have changed. People don't live close by so won't go to the cemetery that much and feel the monies could be used for something else. Then there is throwing ashes to the sea. I find that a bit like throwing out the garbage. My love one meant more to be than garbage. I suppose the ashes are in our spirits. I do want a place for people to see me. What a morbid topic we are on, but good to get discussions out in the open.

[treky]

I've never understood why people would want to just throw a persons ashes into the sea.

[Dude111]

Ya My grandparents wanted that done,im not sure why...... As soon as thier ashes hit the sea they wont stay together anymore