lesterb wrote: Ten thousand will not buy you much of a funeral in Alberta. More likely to be $12K to $15K, even it isn't a fancy funeral.
So it's almost becoming a stewardship issue. I'd love to save my family that expense. But some people (including my father in law) make this a MAJOR spiritual issue.
i appreciate this discussion, i have to make plans. i have some arrangements, but, have not decided about cremation. i'm thinking about it, but, it's not been the way of my family. i believe funerals are for the living, so, that's primary.
a couple of years ago, a dear uncle passed. he had an open casket visitation, but was then cremated. honestly, it was so like other family members' funerals, it seemed not as shocking. i'm so unsure. i spoke to my brother about it, he was not agreeable with cremation.
for me, it's definitely about the money.
others are struggling with it, too, i know.
i appreciate RickH's post, i recognize much of that thinking (over most of my life.)
since reading on this forum, i've thought more about the resurrection of the physical body; prior, i mostly thought about being a spiritual being, after death.
however, lots of people are burned or mangled at death, and, the process for preparation for burial .. ?? .. does not leave the body untouched.
unpleasant topic. when i was young, i refused to think about it.
i suppose, i'm leaning toward cremation, a memorial visitation, no open casket, then, possibly bury the ashes near/with my family, possibly with a marker.
i used to take my mother to visit cemeteries, she was focused on finding names of her loved ones! it meant a lot to her .. so, for future family, it's nice to be able to locate those who went before.
i don't feel the need for my ashes to go to a fabulous tourist location.
my son told me he wants his ashes to go to a certain race track in Germany. i asked him, why don't you/we just go visit while you're still living?!
http://www.nuerburgring.de/
i'm undecided.
knowing me, i may not decide before it's too late, the decision will be left to others.
but, that's not my plan.
my loved ones made decisions+arrangements beforehand, it's much better that way.
when the time comes, there's enough/too much to deal with, without all that, too.
there is a real peace of mind to follow instructions, knowing you're doing as they wanted, not guessing.