Buried or cremated?

1. 60

   Sara Tonynposted 14 years ago

   I'm curious as to what people prefer to have done with their bodies after they die.
   
   I'd guess that burial is still widely preferred by most people but I think cremation is gathering steam. (No pun intended!) (That's a lie; it was intended!)
   
   Also, I know cremation has been forbidden by some religions in the past but I wonder if they're softening their stances on it seeing as we're going to run out of space for new graves relatively soon. That leaves only a few options left. Bodies will have to be 'stacked' above/below ground or cremated or... Shot into space? The sun?
   
   I feel like a ghoul for creating this thread now but what's done is done!
   
   Anybody willing to comment or did I freak everyone out?

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      shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      burn me on a stake! hehehe

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         Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Well done!

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         CrystalStarWomanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Been there, done that... hehe!
         
         Definitely cremated and scattered somewhere 'special' - like on the Tor at Glastonbury...
         
         Or Avebury stone circle, where I left a special crystal

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            Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Are you...er...were you a good witch or a bad witch?

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               CrystalStarWomanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Good witch
               
               Bad girl

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   2. 61

      h.a.borcichposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I am not freaked out. I made arrangements for myself to be cremated. There is no religious reasons for my choice.
        Holly

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      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      hmm
      
      well what if you say 'cremated' but you get murdered, then there will be no dead body to exhume.
      
      still, though, i wouldn't want the worms to have a picnic on me.

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         Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Next, on tonight's episode of CSI...

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      DogSiDaedposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      All healthy organs donated, then cremation or burial, I'll leave it up to my family

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      1. 60

         Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Ah, yes! There's another option. Donated parts to help someone else live!
         
         And maybe donate the rest to science? Hmm. Is there a big demand for cadavers? Or partial cadavers?
         
         You trust your family more than I trust mine!

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      Springboardposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I used to be adamantly opposed to being cremated, though my opposition was never religiously based. I think it was just, for me, the thought of the end of the vessel so to speak. Really it boils down to being able to be buried so that one has a place to go to visit—
      
      I've since changed my mind on that a bit. I think cremation is just fine considering people do not often visit gravesites, and from an environmental standpoint, graveyards take up a lot of space. Bodies come and go, memories fade only when those who carry them die as well. So, really, a person can be visited in one's heart and one's thoughts. You don't need a PLACE to go.

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         Toni Cekadaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I haven't really thought of this issue much, but decided to read up on these replies.  I used to be afraid of being created just because of the idea of being put in an oven and burned to ashes.
         
         But you have a really good point about saving space from an environmental standpoint.  I was driving just the other day and was overwhelmed at this enormous cemetery taking up miles of space along a hill top. It is quite scary to think that we are running out of space to bury our dead. Cemetery's on the other hand aren't visited that much and are not pleasing to look at anyway.
         
         Thanks for changing my way of thinking a little.

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   6. 72

      LeslieAdrienneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      If my burial insurance covers the cost than put me in the ground....but, if money is tight set me on fire..
      
      I won't feel a thing one way or the other...

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   7. 0

      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      whatever is the least troublesome and expensive for my loved ones and which brings the most comfort to them. i hate to take up valuable real estate unless it was in some pastoral setting where my remains could feed flowers or something.
      
      p.s. you're not ghoulish for creating this thread. it's an intersting topic, actually.

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      1. 60

         Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Yep, it is interesting (albeit still kinda creepy!) and it's something we all have in common. I'm really surprised more people didn't choose 'buried'.

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   8. 0

      Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      my dad used to want to be cremated, and baked into *brownies* 

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         TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Whoa. There's one I've never heard before...*brownies*? Like...so someone would EAT HIM??
         
         Forgive me for being confused...I've had a couple of screwdrivers. Want one?

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            Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            he was kidding, so
            no
            and yes please

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            1. 66

               TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               LOL...Whew!
               
               *mixes a screwdriver for Justine*
               
               Here's to getting what you want when you die!

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                  Justine76posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  yum

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   9. 52

      Melanie109posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      i will prefer cremation....

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   10. 60

       robertascarlettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Well..interesting question indeed!! I have planned funeral arrangements for myself now itself, the chisom's family funeral home suggested me various ways..out of which i found cremation to be a better option.

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2. 0

   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   I would like to be creamted actually. Then maybe my ashes scattered somewhere I use to love to visit or put in the wall at a cemetary beside my husband, though I would like some of my ashes scattered so a part of me can be free too

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      Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Sort of a split-personality burial, eh?

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         Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         never thought of it that way but yes...why not! HAHAHA

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3. 60

   tantrumposted 14 years ago

   Exploded

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   1. 60

      Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is no shock.

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      shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      would that mean that you will have a rocket up your.....errr.... lmfao! hehehe

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         tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         for me dying in an explosion is the best way to die.
         Nobody has to go to your funeral. There's no body .
         

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            shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            no.. your parts just end up all over the world!
            Tantrum the sucide bomber! hehehe
            
            Did you see the prog dead like me?  She went like that.

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               tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Don't you dare accuse me of terrorism !
               Even I'm always terrorizing my neighbors !

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                  shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Would I ever?! hehehe... You dont have to be a terrorist to be a sucide bomber... just someone who wants to blow themselves up! lol

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         2. 72

            aguasilverposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Actually Tantrums about right, good explosion will kill you in about 10,000th's of a second, and a big explosion would effectively deal with the bits and pieces!
            
            The shades are to protect my eyes as you explode tantrum!
            
            You'd better hope nobody goes to your funeral, or they will be joining you.... maybe we could hire a fanatical Muslim cleric to officiate at the explosion!
            
            Sort of ashes to ashes, dust to dust, particles to paricles...
            
            

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               tantrumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               

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4. 0

   Brenda Durhamposted 14 years ago

   I want my body buried.
   No reason I can't have at least six feet of ground for that, since one never really owns property while alive!  haha

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   1. 60

      Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      So it sort of squatter's rights?

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         Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         lol yeah kinda!

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      shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      da worms will be your comfort *cackles uncontrollable in a mad elixir of sputum!* lol

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5. 0

   Denno66posted 14 years ago

   Ah, cook me up like a pizza; I'm dead, why should I care?

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      shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      burn the sheep... spit roast him... minty!
      
      p.s. err... how are you babes?  School good?  What did you learn?

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         Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Tired. Tiring. I learned that 19-year-olds look so young nowadays. 

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            shazwellynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Did you put your eyes back in your sockets?  Or left em behind for another good ole look!  wink wink x

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               Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               They're young enough to be my daughters. I couldn't tap my inner pig even if I were so inclined.

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6. 70

   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Cremation!

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7. 87

   Katelyn Weelposted 14 years ago

   Cremated for sure... though shot into the sun sounds pretty amazing!! I wonder why people care in the first place, or is it more for the families left behind? I mean its not like you experience it...
   
   How do you make your decision?

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   1. 60

      Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not sure how to make the decision but I do feel it's one decision you should be able to make without fear of anyone else changing it after it's too late for you to object!

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      1. 61

         h.a.borcichposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I made my wishes known then took care of the basics with the funeral home. I put on file at the funeral home that any things we forgot to take care of are to be decided by my friend Michelle. Hopefully that will keep my son, mom and hubby from discord over anything. I hope it works, Holly

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8. 60

   Sara Tonynposted 14 years ago

   This is surprising to me. I really thought most everyone would say 'buried'.
   
   Hmm. Wonder how much crematorium stocks are going for these days?

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9. 74

   Mikel G Robertsposted 14 years ago

   Creamated, ashes and bones put in a cheap cardboard box and thrown in the ocean...

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      Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Funny you should say that. I was trying to think of other options. Would that be considered buried at sea?
      
      And will a used pizza box do?

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         Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         As long as it's not Poppa John's

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         Mikel G Robertsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Used pizza box is fine.

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            cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            (lol @ tobey

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               tobey100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

               ps no offense to ex-wives.

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10. 66

    TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years ago

    I always wanted a big floating funeral pyre, covered with pyrotechnics along with my body...It would be sent out to sea, then someone could fire a flaming arrow out and set me off.
    
    Otherwise, regular old cremation works fine.

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       Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Actually, I've had the same thoughts about that; scary how eerily similar yours is.

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          TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Well you know what they say. Great minds think alike

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             Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

             See? Sheep and Spiders are not that different after all.

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                TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                Harmony's awesome

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11. 0

    Onusonusposted 14 years ago

    If my posterity cannot afford a moselium that dwarfs Helmsley's, I'd prefer cremation viking funeral style.

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12. 65

    marcel285posted 14 years ago

    I want to be cremated. The thought of my body rotting underground, worms feasting on my corpse, freaks me out!

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13. 60

    Sara Tonynposted 14 years ago

    TheGlassSpider: "I always wanted a big floating funeral pyre, covered with pyrotechnics along with my body...It would be sent out to sea, then someone could fire a flaming arrow out and set me off."
    
    
    Onusonus: "If my posterity cannot afford a moselium that dwarfs Helmsley's, I'd prefer cremation viking funeral style."
    
    
    Gee, if you two could arrange to go at the same time it would be one heck of a show for the rest of us.
    
    We could roast marshmallows and weenies...er...better make that hot dogs...

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       Onusonusposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       there wouldn't be enough room on the boat for the both of us and my minipyramid.

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          Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Wow. This is turning into quite a farewell tour.
          
          I'm afraid to ask what -- or who -- will be the opening act.
          
          Talk about going out in a blaze of glory!

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          TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Yeah...we're definitely going to have to have a couple of huge pyres...One for you and your minipyramid, and one for me and my army of clay warriors filled with black powder...LOL
          
          It'll be one helluva party, that's for sure.

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    lyricsingrayposted 14 years ago

    cremated.

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    sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

    Cinder me timbers!

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       Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Very good!
       
       And then sprinkle your ashes over the forums?

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16. 0

    ralwusposted 14 years ago

    Somehow I would like to be fed to a spreading Sycamore tree. I have already bequeathed my body to OSU and will be cremated and mailed back to my wife. She is to spread my ashes in Skeeter Holler.

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       Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Okay, but that's no excuse for you to stop writing hubs. 

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17. 61

    Mitch Rappposted 14 years ago

    Throw me in a ditch for all I care, I'm dead!

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    ralwusposted 14 years ago

    LOL, I have not quit yet. I just have been busy with so many other things. Also just got over a flu bug.

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19. 60

    tobey100posted 14 years ago

    Depends on who passed away.  If it's the ex-wife, drive a stake through her heart, cremate her and bury her.  Can't take the chance of a return engagement.

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    Rod Marsdenposted 14 years ago

    It doesn't matter much to me. I think the whole burial thing is very old and may have started off as an attack upon the notion of cannibalism. We don't eat the dead anymore. Nowadays we either bury or cremate. this may change when the time of Soylent Green arises (fiction made into future fact? We'll see how future population density impacts on our already overpopulated planet and our lives).
    
    
    There was a time when I would have liked to have been cremated and then have my ashes scattered at sea. When I am dead though I don't really think I will be in a position to give a damn anyway. What happens to the body is really up to what loved ones and relatives feel comfortable with.
    
    One of the stars of the original Star Trek (the guy who played Scotty)was rocketed into space when he died. I kind of like that idea as a romantic notion. Also it might be nice to have Amazing Grace played with bagpipes at my funeral as a final farewell to a Star Trek fan.

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    ThisGirlsOpinionposted 14 years ago

    Who cares really.

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       tobey100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Agreed.  I don't plan on being aware of what's going on at that point.  Anyone considered a trahs compactor?  I've always heard they work exceptionally well.  Go with the Amana.

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22. 60

    abcd1111posted 14 years ago

    Certainly no open casket. I don't want people saying she never looked better. If any organs are worth donating, take them first then burn, baby, burn! As for the ashes, put 'em in a big Skippy peanut butter jar (I love peanut butter and lived on it), fly out to Hawaii and set the jar afloat far out to sea. Music choice: Anything by Bruddah Iz.
    
    I know it won't really matter to my ashes or any dead part of me, but I want whomever has to follow the instructions to have a nice time. If I am able to participate spiritually, hovering over and around this scene will certainly be pleasant for me.
    
    Oh yeah, anyone attending should have hot dogs for a goodbye meal.

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23. 65

    Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

    I am going to request that they bury my cremated ashes... it's my money, so why not spend it on 2 funeral services?
    
    Come to think of it, I might just request they bury my ashes at sea... let my loves ones fork up the money for a submarine... suckers!

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    E. Nicolsonposted 14 years ago

    Cremation -- burial is a waste of precious resources.

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    Richieb799posted 14 years ago

    Think I'd chose burial for the fact I would'nt like it if the doctors made a mistake and I ended up re-awakening on my way into the furnace
    burial is my choice, although its not a big issue for me.

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       mistyhorizon2003posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       So much better to wake up buried alive with the air running out as opposed to a quick but possibly uncomfortable death from burning (which you might not even be aware of if you were unconscious)???? Cremation sounds better to me on this basis!

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26. 0

    sneakorocksolidposted 14 years ago

    I prefer creamation but I don't think she'll ask me when it comes time.

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27. 69

    Preethi Anushaposted 14 years ago

    as per our(hindu) tradition cremation is preferred ..
    
    Its believed that the human body is made of 4 elements
    
    fire
    air
    earth
    water
    
    so when cremated , we are taken back to these 4 forms .. first the fire ..then the air ( through smoke created) .. then the skull which does not get burnt fully is buried ( thus going bak to earth ) and finally , the ashes are taken and put into a lake or river .

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28. 94

    habeeposted 14 years ago

    Definitely cremated. It's so much cheaper! Johnny's going to build a box so our ashes can be stored together. Isn't that romantic?? lol!

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    flread45posted 14 years ago

    Barbequed

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30. 73

    earnestshubposted 14 years ago

    I'm easy, but sprayed on a rose garden as fertiliser feels right.

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31. 61

    Hokeyposted 14 years ago

    Either bury me and plant a tree on top of me or throw me in the woods and let the animals eat me.

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    AEvansposted 14 years ago

    Buried and do not feel like a ghoul it is actually a good question, I am looking forward to the hub that I hope that you create.

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    1. 60

       Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I wrote a hub about it right around the same time I started this thread. I guess I'm not allowed to post a link to my own hub so you'll have to find it on your own.
       
       (Shouldn't be difficult since I've only written 6 hubs! )

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          mistyhorizon2003posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I wrote one on novelty ideas for what to do with your loved one's ashes. I could never have guessed how popular it would become. You can turn the ashes into diamonds, add them to tattoo inks, have them made into pencils etc etc. You can't do that with a corpse/buried person. No burial for me for sure

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33. 57

    lovelypaperposted 14 years ago

    I once thought I'd like to be buried, but I don't want people coming to my grave and crying. Cremate me. It's not as expensive. God will collect me one way or another.

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    WriteAngledposted 14 years ago

    Cremated, to become one with my Lady of Fire, Sekhmet. Ashes buried somewhere to nourish a tree, preferably rowan.

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    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    Hey Sara Tonyn,
    
    Are you talking about this one?
    
    http://hubpages.com/hub/Its-Time-For-Funerals-To-Die
    
    
    

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       Sara Tonynposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, Cagsil, that's the one. Thanks.

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36. 58

    madsadsisterposted 14 years ago

    Cremate me and let my ashes fly in the sky. I use to say donate my organs but I think I will let my family decide because they will have to see the shell of my body. Sometimes it can disturb love ones the way they disembody a corpse.

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    Canklefishposted 14 years ago

    The thought of being put on display for all my loved ones and general acquaintances to 'view' creeps me out.
    
    Put a flame to me and be done with it, but harvest my salvageable organs first; You may want to skip the liver...

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38. 60

    Ryan Queenposted 12 years ago

    Cremation, somehow the thought of my next in kin being able to "visit" me without the stress of going to the cemetery or just being in the houses' altar, is, hmm, comforting.

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    Rising Carenposted 12 years ago

    Being eaten by vultures and other scavengers isn't an option?
    
    Then I guess I have to pick cremation. Why waste good soil that the living can use instead?

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    mistyhorizon2003posted 12 years ago

    Overall, I feel I would want to first leave any salvageable parts to others who need them more, and then I would go down the cremation route in an environmentally friendly way such as in a wicker coffin (simply not enough room on the planet for everyone to opt to be buried, unless you want to pay to be shipped to vast areas such as deserts and rain forests, latter of which are shrinking rapidly). If you are buried the worms don't eat you as has been mentioned here, and in fact it is the bacteria within your own body that decomposes the corpse from the inside out, i.e. even now your body has these bacteria within you. Give them enough air and moisture and they will do the rest after your demise. Cremation would avoid this of course, and allows you to end up in places you loved in life (via scattering) as opposed to ending up in a graveyard.

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    Rain Defenceposted 12 years ago

    To be honest I really don't care what happens to my body after I'm dead. If any of my organs can be used to help anyone else out that would be cool though. If there's anything left of them!

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    duffsmomposted 12 years ago

    Cremation is my choice.  I just a strange problem with picturing someone I love rotting in the ground--and so I don't want that either.  Silly but still something that bothers me.

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    olodarkwriterposted 12 years ago

    I would rather stay alive for the time being. (and what about that new process, chemical liquification (?)

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    ALURposted 12 years ago

    Not sure. I'm still trying to live life to it's fullest.

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    Chuck Bluesteinposted 12 years ago

    There are a billion people in India and most are Hindu. "Cremation is a ritual designed to do much more than dispose of the body; it is intended to release the soul from its earthly existence. 'Hindus believe that cremation (compared to burial or outside disintegration) is most spiritually beneficial to the departed soul.' "

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46. 0

    The Writers Dogposted 12 years ago

    For as long as I can remember - and that spans almost four decades - I have always planned on being cremated. The hard decision for me, is what to have done with "my" ashes afterwards.

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    creativebutterflyposted 12 years ago

    Burn me and scatter me over the ocean.  Don't want to be buried alive in case they mis diagnose saw a movie once where this happened never forgot it.

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48. 60

    carolegalassiposted 11 years ago

    I prefer cremation due to cost. In California, cremation is the preferred method of final disposition. Traditional burials are usually chosen by most Catholic services.

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    brimancandyposted 11 years ago

    I have always told my friends and family that I want to be cremated when I die, and have my ashes scattered over Cedar Point. Or, maybe have my ashes scattered under the Shivering Timbers roller coaster at Michigan's Adventure, so my soul can hear the screams of those on earth who are still smiling and having a good time.
    
    I think in the future, it will be like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory. They will put your body on a slab, and zap it, and you will just vaporize. Then it will be like facebook, and your friends and relatives can visit your remains on line. Leave you messages and so on. But, unlike facebook, it won't be free.

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50. 84

    HoneyBBposted 11 years ago

    I want to be frozen next to Walt Disney!

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