How many of you don't absolutely dread funerals? What do you gain from attending a funeral?
I was an RN and it isn't the dead body that I mind. I hate crying and I cry terribly from the wake, to the church, to the graveside, and on to the horrible "We're sorry you're dead" party. I don't visit the graves of loved ones. There is a decaying body in the ground and not the person I once loved. I suppose for the religious, the church part is necessary, but I really don't think the dead body has to be hauled up to the alter. Just more stuff to make people cry, if they care at all. Also, funerals are very expensive. Better that the money should be donated to a worthy cause. If a loved one died and I was responsible for their funeral plans, I would feel obliged to do as they asked. I have written into my will that I don't want ANY funeral! My body is to go directly to the funeral director who has been instructed to deliver me to the medical school that has accepted me as a full body cadaver donor. (If, for some reason I had to be autopsied, the school wouldn't take me and then I want my body to go from the pathologist to the funeral home and then to the crematorium.) Someone would have to receive the ashes and then dump them in some attractive place, while being careful not to be caught if dumping ashes is illegal in that area. If the medical school does the job they have been instructed to "dispose" of the ashes with nothing returned to anybody. If anyone feels the need to pray for me, then go ahead. Both my kids are atheists (don't know how they chose this belief) but they won't be saying any prayers. I chose this no frills or emotion disposal because I have suffered through enough wakes, funerals, etc. I told my kids to spend the absolute minimal amount of money on me after my death (not even a notice in the paper) and I have given the same instructions to a local funeral director. I want every possible cent left after I die to go to my kids and I want them to go out and have a fabulous dinner and think nice thoughts about me. I am a firm believer in organ donation, but I am old and have very little that could help anyone. The medical school wants me intact. I was an RN and it pleases me to think medical students can get some use from my body.
I was an RN and it isn't the dead body that I mind. I hate crying and I cry terribly from the wake, to the church, to the graveside, and on to the horrible "We're sorry you're dead" party. I don't visit the graves of loved ones. There is a decaying body in the ground and not the person I once loved. I suppose for the religious, the church part is necessary, but I really don't think the dead body has to be hauled up to the alter. Just more stuff to make people cry, if they care at all. Also, funerals are very expensive. Better that the money should be donated to a worthy cause. If a loved one died and I was responsible for their funeral plans, I would feel obliged to do as they asked. I have written into my will that I don't want ANY funeral! My body is to go directly to the funeral director who has been instructed to deliver me to the medical school that has accepted me as a full body cadaver donor. (If, for some reason I had to be autopsied, the school wouldn't take me and then I want my body to go from the pathologist to the funeral home and then to the crematorium.) Someone would have to receive the ashes and then dump them in some attractive place, while being careful not to be caught if dumping ashes is illegal in that area. If the medical school does the job they have been instructed to "dispose" of the ashes with nothing returned to anybody. If anyone feels the need to pray for me, then go ahead. Both my kids are atheists (don't know how they chose this belief) but they won't be saying any prayers. I chose this no frills or emotion disposal because I have suffered through enough wakes, funerals, etc. I told my kids to spend the absolute minimal amount of money on me after my death (not even a notice in the paper) and I have given the same instructions to a local funeral director. I want every possible cent left after I die to go to my kids and I want them to go out and have a fabulous dinner and think nice thoughts about me. I am a firm believer in organ donation, but I am old and have very little that could help anyone. The medical school wants me intact. I was an RN and it pleases me to think medical students can get some use from my body.