[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

you can get free cremation if you donate their bodies to universities for med students to practice exams, research, etc. My mom has two options for research, Harvard and Tufts medical schools. UMASS didn't return my phone calls. .

the body will be cremated when finished and shipped back to you. They will pay for removing the body as well. if you have power of attorney, then you can fill in the paperwork, as long as they verbally agree with any other family members present for witnesses, depending upon their ability to comprehend.

I would think that hospice is a decision with the patient, primary care doctor and you as to when to use "Hospice at Home". Also, you can always discuss end of life decisions with the primary care doctor.

Also, I recommend reading Atul Gawande's book, Being Mortal, What Matters in the End., he is a boston surgeon who discusses end of life with his patients and when his father, both parents were doctors, passes away.

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters... book by Atul Gawande

good luck

I had a friend who died at home. Hospice at home was the only option for hospice because they didn't have a facility. One advantage to hospice is that you can avoid a 911 call to verify that foul play was not involved in the death. If you don't have hospice, calling a doctor or funeral home is usually not an option.