Although unique funerals
continue to increase in popularity, cremation is definitely in the mainstream
these days as a method of body disposal. People are finding interesting ways to
dispose ashes or cremains of loved ones.
Traditionally, cremains are
often stored by families who keep them in urns and other containers that vary
in their uniqueness. These may include vases with pedestals or even
personalized teddy bears with hidden pouches. Teddy bears can be sewn from the
deceased person’s clothes. Among other uses, cremains are being used in
jewelry, shotgun shells, and fireworks. In terms of destinations, cremains can
be stored in cemetery plots, mausoleum, or scattered in a garden or body of
water. For $5,300 cremains can be sent aloft into outer space, while $13,000
can send them into luna orbit.
One research study on
cremation focused on how 87 people described their experiences with cremation,
cremains disposal, and rituals regarding
their deceased loved ones. How did they view the experience? They felt
the experiences were positive. Most research participants preferred to be
cremated and honored through nontraditional rituals themselves.
With so many choices
available, people should make plans in advance regarding disposal of their
cremains if they choose to be cremated. In this video titled Scattering
Parents’ Ashes, a daughter fulfills
her deceased parents’ dream of world travel. View the unusual way she
accomplishes this that includes many other people. If you choose to be
cremated, what would you want to happen to your cremains after death?
Frances Shani Parker,
Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback at many booksellers in America and other countries and in e-book form at
Amazon and Barnes and Noble booksellers.
Best cremains tribute evah.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/w_DKWlrA24k
That's a fantastic and joyous celebration of life/death. I hope more people will share their cremain rituals.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom's parents were Pennsylvanians who LOVED spending their summers fishing along a lake in Ontario. For some 40 years they stayed in a remote cabin each July along the shore line. It was their wish to have their cremains taken up to Canada for their final resting place. So in 1987, my Mom, her sister and I found a spot high on a hill overlooking the lake, and buried them there. We still vacation near there every summer, and are happy with the decision we made.
ReplyDeleteLovely story. Thanks for sharing this happiness with the world.
ReplyDeleteI've been away from your blog too long... I'm trying to catch up. One thing this reminds me of is the importance of telling your family what you wish to have done with your body after death. I know exactly what I want (cremation and scattered ashes) but I haven't actually articulated this to anyone except in the most casual of conversations. Thanks for reminding me! I will do it this week.
ReplyDeleteGreat, PJ! But where do you want to be scattered? Do you have a ritual you'd like. I know you will want something special that reflects who you are. Of course, you can keep it a secret for now and surprise everybody later!
ReplyDeleteFrances, those are the parts I haven't figured out yet. I wouldn't mind being scattered near Lake Superior, where I live, or even in my own back yard, tough the new owners may not appreciate that! I just need to get it in writing and let someone know where to find it. Years ago I worked as a housecleaner, and one of my elderly customers had written his will and last testament, and kept it on his dining room table in an envelope in plain view for his kids to see. Of course when he died, they were very happy to not have to search the house for his final instructions. Not a bad idea!
ReplyDeleteWow, he kept it on the dining room table! I never heard of that before!
ReplyDelete