Burials, Caskets, Funeral Services, Unusual Markers, Headstones, Coffins

Seventy-seven percent of people polled said they would wear a diamond made from their loved one's ashes. They would even wear a diamond made from their pet's ashes. How about you?

Wearing a dead person's ash diamond is but one of the new ways to dispose of your remains.

Did you know that you can have your ashes pressed into a vinyl record that plays your favorite music or your final message to humanity?

Did you know that the army can take your body and use it for target practice?

Did you know you can be buried in your backyard?

Well, let's explore strange and unusual ways to go.....

Maybe you think you got a raw deal in this life. Perhaps you think getting screwed is the way to go, after all, you're used to it. Someone came up with a patented coffin that actually gets screwed into the ground upright. The marker or headstone fits over the top and voilà', automatic headstone.

I think this is a pretty neat idea. Saves time, effort, valuable cemetery real estate and your expensive coffin is still viewable (well part of it anyway) instead of being covered up with dirt. You could even put two of these into one plot, making burial a real bargain for a couple. This might actually be a good business venture if you like designing interesting coffins and grave markers.

You love your home, you've lived there your whole life. Why leave it when you die? It's quite acceptable in most states to be buried in your backyard. Just wrap yourself up in your favorite blanket and have someone with a backhoe dig a three-foot hole for you. If you die in your bed, you can be in your eternal resting place within a few hours.

The myth of the six-foot under requirement is not required. It's actually better to be buried within the first three feet of earth to take advantage of the aerobic bacteria that will return you to dust quickly. Why wait? Have your loved ones plant a tree over you and nourish that tree's growth.

Just check with your state's burial standards and find out ahead of time how easy it is (or isn't) to be buried out back with fluffy. Put it in your will, and you're all set.

By the way, if you are cremated, there is almost no regulation anywhere about scattering your ashes. Especially if you don't tell anyone. You could scatter mom or dad on the White House lawn if you can sneak in there. I'm sure you can come up with a place suitable for your ashes.

Science Care.com has an informative website for donating your body for science.

Donating a body to the armed services means the body may be used for “target practice”. Keep that in mind when considering this option. If you are determined to do so, contact the branch of service you wish to donate to.

Body Farms are used to re-create crime scenes. If this interests you, please contact the Medical Examiner's office in your city, state, or county.

Medical donations are used for training doctors, and the body will be autopsied by a medical doctor in training. Here is a list of medical schools to contact:

• Medical schools
  • UCLA: Donated Body Program.
  • University of Miami School of Medicine: Department of Anatomy.
  • Northern Illinois University: Human Anatomical Sciences Program.
  • Indiana University: Anatomical Education Program.
  • Harvard University: Anatomical Gift Program.
  • Duke University: The Anatomical Gift Program.

My favorite way to go would be to have my ashes pressed into a beautiful yellow diamond. Unfortunately, I have no heir to leave myself to, so I probably won't go this route.

However, if I have to have an amputation of an arm or a leg, I just might have it cremated and made into a diamond, so I can wear it myself! I'm sure the folks at LifeGem® can accommodate that request. It really doesn't take many ashes to create a diamond.

Of course, if Bob goes before I do, then for sure he's going to turn into one of these sparkly yellow diamonds, so I can wear him proudly! Actually, LifeGem® can take the carbon from a lock of hair and turn it into a diamond. You don't have to wait until you die. Get a diamond made the next time your loved one gets a haircut!

There are so many ways to take care of your remains that this hub would be huge. Instead, just vote for one of these special funeral arrangements, and I'll research and write another hub on the top three.

LifeGem® will turn ashes into diamonds!

It's Your Funeral!: Plan the Celebration of a Lifetime--Before It's Too Late