Average cost of funeral, etc..

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

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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.  (From a fellow Canadian.)

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.

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

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

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