[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.

[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"!!!

[goodgrief]

Originally Posted by 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"!!!

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....

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by goodgrief

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

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.