Cremation

[vinnie]

My wife and I just attended a free luncheon that was to provide answers to all sorts of questions regarding cremation etc. We spent over an hour listening to general info and then as we ate, we were approached by a salesperson for a personal visit to our home ...namely to corner us alone for a couple of hours of high pressure sales. I had asked for the pre planning booklet guide they were touting and prices but they would not give it to me or mail it.
I have also heard about Neptune society although there were some complaints about them also.
I am rather young and not near death. However, we have a place up north and my wife wanted to know her options in case something happened down in The Villages. She has no interest in shipping a body up north. Can anyone give me some insight on the best approach to take regarding cremation et al.

[graciegirl]

There is no free lunch.

[redwitch]

I used Neptune Society when my mother died. I had no complaints. They were kind and gentle with me. I received what I assume were my mother's cremains in a timely fashion. The only issue I had was that I expected a fine powder. Instead, the cremains were more like tiny chips. I don't know if this is common but it certainly surprised me. I have made arrangements with Neptune Society to take care of whatever body parts are left (if any of my parts can be used by someone else).

[KayakerNC]

I'd be willing to convert to Viking-ism just for the funeral.

http://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/viking_funeral-450x299.jpg

[Madelaine Amee]

I have also heard about Neptune society although there were some complaints about them also.


Rather macabre subject, but would suggest you do an internet search to find what you need to know about cremation.

In our case my other half has already signed on to Anatomy Gifts Registry - whole body donation to research. When they are finished they perform the cremation and send the remains to the family. He wants me to sign on the dotted line too, but I am afraid they will take me while I am still alive ..........

I would actually prefer to donate my body to a hospital for them to take the parts, but I cannot find any way of doing that. It seems that the body parts go into a bank and then get sent out as needed. I have been a patient at Mayo and had the opportunity to talk to a surgeon about reusing body parts, and I am amazed at what can be reused, if not for a waiting patient, then for research. I would like to think that something I no longer need could save the life of a young parent or child.

[Boudicca]

Good one, KayakerNC

My mother's "ashes" were similarly not powder. Per her wishes, the ashes were dug into her favorite flower bed. Miss ya mom.

[kathyzapp]

I'd be willing to convert to Viking-ism just for the funeral.

http://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/viking_funeral-450x299.jpg

Our daughter has offered to arrange Viking funerals for me and my husband. She said that way she doesn't have to worry about any remains--no ashes to keep in her home. :1rotfl:

[billethkid]

a very key question often overlooked by too many that won't ask questions is;

is the cremation individual or group? Sounds terrible but someone like me does ask as many questions as possible. Some states have laws about this subject. And then again always remember that speeding is against the law as well (if you get my point).

I have heard (not first hand) there are some that allow a "viewing" of sorts (?)....I suppose watch the cardboard box roll into the what ever.

Ask....ask....ASK!

I had my mother cremated here (a company associated with TV hospice) then shipped the remains to family back home where she was interred in the family plot.

If I choose to be cremated (haven't decided yet) I would have my ashes mixed with shot gun reloading powder and go out with a bang!!!!

btk

[kathyzapp]

My wife and I just attended a free luncheon that was to provide answers to all sorts of questions regarding cremation etc. We spent over an hour listening to general info and then as we ate, we were approached by a salesperson for a personal visit to our home ...namely to corner us alone for a couple of hours of high pressure sales. I had asked for the pre planning booklet guide they were touting and prices but they would not give it to me or mail it.
I have also heard about Neptune society although there were some complaints about them also.
I am rather young and not near death. However, we have a place up north and my wife wanted to know her options in case something happened down in The Villages. She has no interest in shipping a body up north. Can anyone give me some insight on the best approach to take regarding cremation et al.

My husband and I attended one of these luncheons. We wanted the pre-planning booklet and we also wanted more information about his services so we set up an appointment. The gentlemen came to our home and gave us a lot more information about cremation and the services that his group offers. He answered our questions. He called us a week later and that was it.

[graciegirl]

I am really sorry I read this thread. I am NOT leaving, so there.

[Trish Crocker]

I think I want cremation...and I don't care what is done with the ashes...ocean...disney world...with one exception...If my husband marries a twenty-something within a year after I go..I want my ashes in a big cookie jar to be kept on his nightstand.:wave:

[NotGolfer]

We did the luncheon....had ALOT of questions since we're fulltime here but want to be interred up north. I think we actually went to the funeral home to speak individually with the man for more info. He didn't high pressure us at all. It's very important, especially for your loved ones who survive you, to make final arrangements!! Just saying.... It's a culturally, unpleasant subject to approach but needs to be done as none of us are getting out of this life alive.

A century or better ago...death was a fact of life in a culture. People didn't have the life-expectancy that we have today. In fact most folks died at home and the family was able to take care of the preparation (not embalming as we do today) of their family-member. I watched a documentary on this on PBS some years ago. Death wasn't talked about in a hush-hush voice as it is today.

[Barefoot]

I think I want cremation...If my husband marries a twenty-something within a year after I go..I want my ashes in a big cookie jar to be kept on his nightstand.

I'm definitely in favor of cremation. I've already told Fireboy he has to sleep with my ashes under his pillow.

[schotzyb]

Cremation, yes and I want my ashes spread out in one of the sand traps at Glenview. That is where I spend the majority of my time now when I play there.

[Avista]

We visited Florida Cremation Society on Wedgwood Ln near 466. They now have all of our information. We did not pay any money. We have their card on the side of our refrigerator to call. Our option was to pay now at today's rates rather the rates at the time we die.

If a person wants an urn, they are available there. Our ashes will be shipped to a family cemetery in Illinois. We have purchased niches there. Also, New Covenant Methodist is building a beautiful columbarium near the lake on their property. This would be a wonderful place to inter ashes. If you go to the church site, you will see plans for the columbarium.

[USSGompers]

I went online to URNSNORTHWEST when my father-in-law died 4 yrs ago and bought the most beautiful Air Force urn which is in the ground at Bushnell now. It was very affordable.

Almost 2 yrs ago I also bought the prettiest urn for my Mom. It's engraved and at my sister's house right now.

Hubby and I are going to buy our urns from them. Thanks for reminding me. We need one US Navy for me and US Air Force for him. Off to Bushnell we go.

Not anytime soon, I hope.

:pray:

[USSGompers]

PS. If you are computer savvy (I order a lot from the internet) please order the urns online, anywhere than the funeral home, etc. They offer poorly made products from China and a very high markup. The prey on the grieving.

I should know. I grew up in the funeral business. Granddad owned the Neely Funeral Home in Detroit. At age 7, I was trained on casket selling. Start with the expensive mahogany wood 1st, then work your way down. I spent a lot of Saturdays at the funeral home at an early age.

Is that's what's wrong with me today?? Just sayin"!!!

:confused:

[goodgrief]

PS. If you are computer savvy (I order a lot from the internet) please order the urns online, anywhere than the funeral home, etc. They offer poorly made products from China and a very high markup. The prey on the grieving.

I should know. I grew up in the funeral business. Granddad owned the Neely Funeral Home in Detroit. At age 7, I was trained on casket selling. Start with the expensive mahogany wood 1st, then work your way down. I spent a lot of Saturdays at the funeral home at an early age.

Is that's what's wrong with me today?? Just sayin"!!!

:confused:

This is kinda an interesting thread. Death isn't a topic folks like to think or talk about but having lost friends young I can see where its always something to have in the back of your mind. I was reading the quoted post and remembered that Walmart of all places sells caskets online, probably urns. We looked it up to see the cost one day for kicks. Oh and they don't accept returns....:jester:

[Boudicca]

There is now an urn and marker vendor at Market of Marion... :)
My mom was cremated the same day as passing, no embalming required in her home state of Delaware. She had left specific instructions and we were glad to follow her wishes.

[kit9240]

I went to a seminar at Perkins given by National Cremation. It was very informative. They passed out all the information including a price sheet. A cremation would cost around $1850.00 complete. At no cost, remains can be shipped anywhere or a burial at sea.

If you are interested in finding out more, look for more seminars in The Village Sun. Most are held at Perkins.

[SeaCruiser]

May I suggest anyone researching this topic pick up a November issue of Money magazine. They are doing a three part series on funeral options. I think it is a must read. They review some cases where people thought they had purchased a pre planned package only to find out that it was far from complete. It is very informative. They also discuss the tricks often played to get you to spend more money during a time of grief.

[CaptJohn]

I just retired from a university that has a medical/anatomy department that accepts bodies for study and then returns them to you in a sealed box cremated at no cost and then you can do whatever you want with them. You might want to check with the University of Florida at Gainesville to see if they offer such a program. At one time I said I did not want to be cremated but have since changed my mind. One of the few things in life that are free.

[goodgrief]

I think I want cremation...and I don't care what is done with the ashes...ocean...disney world...with one exception...If my husband marries a twenty-something within a year after I go..I want my ashes in a big cookie jar to be kept on his nightstand.:wave:

Here I thought the exception was going to be don't leave me in "Its a small world" :a20:

[Joaniesmom]

Both my MIL and FIL were cremated. Their cremains were entered into a beautiful column at a cemetery in Pittsburgh. The cremations were handled by a funeral home inexpensively compared to a traditional funeral. I have made the same arrangements for my mother. Just be sure you are dealing with a reputable funeral home. If the price seems too high, call another one. We bought all of the urns for the people mentioned here online. As a previous poster said, they are much cheaper online and the selection is larger. My husband and I plan to have our cremains placed into a single urn. There are many beautiful ones available.

As for the cremains being "chunky" instead of sandy, that is normal. Bones often do not turn to dust in the cremation process. Sometimes the cremains actually need to be pulverized to get them into a proper consistency to put into an urn. I hope I'm not being too graphic, but that's the way it is.

[SALYBOW]

My wife and I just attended a free luncheon that was to provide answers to all sorts of questions regarding cremation etc. We spent over an hour listening to general info and then as we ate, we were approached by a salesperson for a personal visit to our home ...namely to corner us alone for a couple of hours of high pressure sales. I had asked for the pre planning booklet guide they were touting and prices but they would not give it to me or mail it.
I have also heard about Neptune society although there were some complaints about them also.
I am rather young and not near death. However, we have a place up north and my wife wanted to know her options in case something happened down in The Villages. She has no interest in shipping a body up north. Can anyone give me some insight on the best approach to take regarding cremation et al.

As the Chaplain at TVRH I get asked this question a lot. I have found the following people in this area who perform this service:

Florida Cremation Society
3307 Wedgewood Ln,
Lady Lake, FL 32162
(352) 391-1234

National Cremation Society
3261 US Hwy 441/27 #E-2
Fruitland Park, FL 34731
(352) 728-0093

Beyers Funeral Home And Crematory
134 N Hwy 27/441
Lady Lake, FL 32159
(352) 702-4573

I have been told that going with a non Funeral Home service is cheaper. Once the ashes have been returned to you one might take them, by car or by plane, to your area of origin. The box in which they come is no bigger than a shoebox.
At this point it might be good to make some calls rather than wait until a time of great duress.
I often get invites to luncheons which deal with money management but never with body management. As I ponder this fact I see the irony in it. I have very little money to manage and quite a bit of body. :shrug:

[mulligan]

Just got a good deal from Bob's Discount Barbecue And Crematorium. They've got to keep the smoker hot all night anyway, so............

[Trish Crocker]

Here I thought the exception was going to be don't leave me in "Its a small world" :a20:

That's funny because that is exactly what I told my kids!!

[mulligan]

great minds................

[Villages PL]

Why is it important to save or put the ashes in a special place? Is it supposed to be more restful for the deceased? Or is it for us, so we feel like we know where they are? Or, perhaps, all of the above.

[mrsanborn]

I have this reoccurring dream that when I am cremated, my ashes will be mixed with kitty litter. I'm allergic to cat dander.

[vinnie]

what was the cost

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Just got a good deal from Bob's Discount Barbecue And Crematorium. They've got to keep the smoker hot all night anyway, so............

Now you know why they have such great prices on ribs....