Average cost of funeral, etc..

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  • EGAL
    EGAL Member Posts: 539
    edited June 2009

    I've already written my own obit and selected the photo (it was a few years ago and I looked pretty good Wink), plus  I have written a letter to my family and friends to be read at my memorial service.  I plan on donating my body to Brown University Medical School but I want it to be used for breast cancer research and I have to check that they will do that.  The funny thing with the donation is that the body cannot be embaled and I can't die more than 45 miles from the school.  Also, they have the right to not accept me if they "filled with donors" and they don't have room.  WTF?  I had no idea that many people donate their body.

     Will, Living Will, finances, etc, have all been done.  Even put my car in my hubby's name so that he will not be hassled with that.  I feel liberated that I can do this~

    Ellen

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  • stateofgrace33
    stateofgrace33 Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2009

    Wow ladies, thank you for these postings - people willing to talk about this and having fun!

    costco, green, spies - you are some creative, baudy gals - yea!!!!!

    love

    Christine

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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited June 2009

    I've heard that obituaries are really expensive!  I'm planning on just having it posted on Facebook.

    As to writing your own obit, how would it go? ....  "If you are reading this, I am dead...."

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  • geysermom
    geysermom Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2009

    Father-in-law died in 2000.  The funeral home cremated him, did the family only visitation with him in a "borrowed" casket and then cremated him.  His ashes went into a cardboard box and the family later scattered his ashes in his favorite spot.  I think the whole thing cost about $1500.  There was no ceremony other than the family saying goodbye when they scattered his ashes.

    I went to a memorial for a close friend that was truly special.  There was no casket and no ashes but she was there in every possible way.  There were photos of her everywhere and artwork she had done as a teenager (most of us never knew she had this talent).  For me, the things I liked seeing were her eyeglasses (she was blind without them) and her photo nametag from our workplace (many in attendance were long time friends from work). 

    I would love it if my memorial was exactly the same as hers.

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  • VickiG
    VickiG Member Posts: 536
    edited June 2009

    There was an obit in our paper today that the girl had written herself... "I was born on..."  It was a little strange to read an obit in 1st person!

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  • Analemma
    Analemma Member Posts: 1,622
    edited June 2009

    I thought I would post this link, about Green Burials, from Mother Earth News.  There are some related links at the bottom of the page.

    http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/Natural-Burial-Build-Coffin.aspx

    Anybody up for a build it yourself coffin?Undecided

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  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited June 2009

    My husband remembers one of the Corner Gas guys trying to make his own coffin from a kit.... became a shelving unit I think.

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  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Member Posts: 1,879
    edited June 2009

    My dh said he would build one for me when I need it.

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  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited June 2009

    I want an urn but dont want to pay $800 for it.  Am looking at ceramic shops soon.

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  • Chris51jon
    Chris51jon Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2009

    My dear sweet sister Patti, went home with Jesus last night.

    She spent 4 years fighting the good fight.

    She is my HERO.

    She choose cremation, died at home with palliative care and it was very peaceful.

    The funeral director came to the house today and my brother-in law payed $2,100.00 for everything, she will be cremated in a box and the cremains will come home to be scattered at a later date when we hold a huge celabration of her life. She was too young to die and leaves 2 daughters whom just graduated from college and high school. Patti was not able to attend.

    I will miss growing old with my sister.

    I love you Peppermint

    Chris

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  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited June 2009

    Big hugs Chris..I am so sorry for your pain.

    Patti will live on in all your happy memories.......live on & grow old with you as you keep her alive with your love.......

    You will hear her voice......all your life!

    Be well & stay strong

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  • mason204
    mason204 Member Posts: 570
    edited August 2009

    I just came across this thread.

    I've been feeling like crap and when I read about the Costco caskets I laughed out loud for the first time today.  I doubt the Costco companies in Canada would stock coffins.  I'd have to make a trip to the U.S.  No disrespect meant but I wonder what would the customs officials would say when I return from my trip to the U.S. later this month with a casket strapped to the roof.  You know us Canadians, going south to save a few bucks.  Puts a whole new spin on cross-border shopping.

    Cheryl.

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  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited August 2009

    Cheryl---it's not the casket---it's what you haul in it!!!!!!  LOL

    Thanx for the chuckle!

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited August 2009
    I have to confess I've been reading here and chuckling a bit about Costco caskets.  Heck, what DON'T they sell?  Cheryl, I'm sure the Canadian Gov't wouldn't mind you bringing it across the border just so long as you paid the GST.Wink  (From a fellow Canadian.)
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  • WingsofHope
    WingsofHope Member Posts: 497
    edited August 2009

    HA Cheryl that is funny!

    Thinking about you.  Where are you visiting??

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  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Member Posts: 1,879
    edited August 2009

    You just order the casket from costco.com!!  Then you do not need to take it across the border!!  Glad that I could bring you all some laughter.

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  • mason204
    mason204 Member Posts: 570
    edited August 2009

    Boy, how refreshing.  Only at this site can I talk about stuff like this and laugh.  My family would be horrified to know what I'm replying to.

    WingsofHope, I'll be making my yearly pilgrimmage to Mrytle Beach.  I think this is year 18 now.  Considering it's an 18 hour drive, I think I'm gonna need a lot of rope to strap that puppy down on the roof!

    lovinmomma:  If I ordered online then I'd have to pay duty, clearance/brokerage fees, then factor in the exchange rate not to mention postage.  Gee, how much would THAT be.  Online shopping for such a bulky item would cut severely into my "savings factor". Undecided

    What would my family think when it showed up at the front door?  Surprised

    Cheryl.

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  • billiegirl
    billiegirl Member Posts: 85
    edited August 2009
    This thread is a "hoot". Its nice to be able to chuckle about something so serious and learn so much at the same time. I made arrangements to donate myself back in 2004 when 1st dx, however learned on this thread that body "habitus" can be an issue so contacted my company, ScienceCare, for more info as I am a hefty gal. Also remembered seeing a news show several years back about casket FURNITURE. Went to their web site and had a great laugh. If I had the money, I would furnish my whole house, then we could be ready for anything & anyone. www.casketfurniture.com
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  • WingsofHope
    WingsofHope Member Posts: 497
    edited August 2009

    Hey Cheryl..... we just got back from our trip to MB.  It was a 7 hour ride and this was our 3rd visit. 

    Love it!!  Have fun..... but I dunno about the Costco shopping LOL

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  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Member Posts: 1,431
    edited August 2009

    Dream..here is a site for urns...prices seem reasonable...Hugs, Mazy

    http://www.memorial-urns.com/?utm_source=utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=utm_campaign=urns

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  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited August 2009

    The costco caskets are funny. Can you imagine if Walmart or Target sold them? 

    I am so settled on the cremation thing...

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited August 2009

    Of course the way Costco operates you'd likely have to buy a dozen.Wink

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