What is your preference when you die, cremation or regular burial?
By ctrymuziklvr
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
United States
July 8, 2007 7:25am CST
My Dad wanted to be cremated and my mother went along with his wishes as much as she didn't want to. After 19 I am still happy that she did as he wished because when I think about him I'm not thinking about a body in a box covered with sand and all the horrible images that come along with it. Maybe I've seen too many horror movies but the thought of all the bugs on his remains would make me cringe.
My children know that I want to be cremated and I've had it put in writing and notarized. I realize I won't know what happens to me when I die but once you reach a certain age, which I have, you start thinking about these things and when my time comes I'll be a lot more comfortable knowing that I'm going to be ashes and not 6 feet under the dirt in a box.
Have you given it any thought? What will your chosen burial method be and why would you prefer it?
8 people like this
23 responses
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
The ocean seems to be the place everyone wants their ashes to end up. I agree it is a calming thought.
1 person likes this
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
9 Jul 07
Actually, I have given this some thought. I am not sure why I have given it so much thought...but I have. For the longest time I wanted to be buried. However, the visual image of that has sort of changed my mind. I now would want to be cremated, and have my ashes buried out by the cottage I used to go to when I was a child. That thought does give me some comfort.
cheers,
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
There comes a time when our mortality just hits us in the face and we realize that we have choices to make. This being one of them. The cottage sounds sounds awesome. Be sure to have that put in writing.
1 person likes this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
8 Jul 07
Buried but I don't want to have the blood taken out and replaced with preservatives, that is for sure. I find that just crazy personally. I believe that Christians got that started, and while I am one, I still find it bizarre to do.
2 people like this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
8 Jul 07
I don't know if you know this or not but the reason for the "preservatives" is if there is a wake. I'm sure if there isn't going to be a wake it won't have to be done. I do understand your thinking though.
@xfallenxlostx (2074)
• United States
9 Jul 07
When i die i mist definitely want to be cremated. i'm not worried about bugs in my body or anything. i won't feel it, so why should i care? i just feel it is more economical and ecological to be cremated. It costs your family so much less and you don't have to disturb the Earth, either. Your ashes can be skattered or put in an urn for family members to keep or can be put in a place that is meant for people's ashes. It's more veratile.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I think it's just the idea of what happens when a body is in a box 6 feet under the ground in a box. It's obvious that I won't know it. It's the knowledge before it happens but is close.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
9 Jul 07
I want to be cremated. I am costrophobic and the idea of my body in a box in the ground wierds me out. I want to be cremated and put in three small urns for my three childern to do whatever they want with me except bury me. The know I don't like being closed in so whatever they want to do, knowing me, is cool.
2 people like this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I'm also claustrophobic and that's probably one of the reasons for the way I feel. I won't know I'm in a box but I'll be thinking about it when my time is near.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
22 Jul 07
When I die I'd rather be cremated than burried. If enough people are burried, they will take up more space than garbage in a landfill. Also, I don't want to spend that much money on a coffin etc. and have people come to my grave. Just scatter my ashes in the garden and be done with it.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
23 Jul 07
I like your thinking! I wouldn't mind having my ashes spread over a beautiful garden either.
@ladysurvivor (4746)
• Malaysia
9 Jul 07
I would prefer regular burial. Due to my religion there is no other way to do it. Personally I like to be buried too. I don't want to think about the flame which will burn my body if I were to be cremated. That's only my thought on this. Your choice is good too, because your descendants can actually see your ashes in front of their eyes whenever they miss you.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
The way I see it is I won't know about the flames and the fire. When I'm dieing I just want to know I won't be put in a box under the ground.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
8 Jul 07
My husband and I were talking about this when he last travelled. He was going through the whole talk about "if something happens to me blah blah" and I asked him that question of how he wanted to be buried(not that I wanted anything to happen to him LOL) and he said that would be up to me. I was wondering about myself and now I am not so sure. I would want my husband to take a nice urn with my ashes in them everywhere he goes as opposed to being buried underground and then him having to visit me LOL I am also thinking about donating my organs so if that happens, then I would want to be cremated and a small ceremony held. Nothing big and nothing fancy!
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jul 07
LOL I am going to make sure if fits nicely around his neck HAHAHA
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
8 Jul 07
I'm sure you know your husband won't be able to carry your urn everywhere he goes especially if he goes out of state. Not to burst your bubble...lol....I'm also donating my organs and want only a small family ceremony.
@crazypumpkin (501)
• Philippines
9 Jul 07
Cremation. For the simple reason that it's more practical and I do not want to burden those that I left behind when I die. I also do not want a long wake. A night or two or 3 nights max is sufficient for me. The 3 days will be enough time for them to handle the paper works involved to get me cremated properly.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
It doesn't take a lot of paperwork and time to be cremated believe me! I do believe it's more practical though.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
8 Jul 07
Your smart to put it in writing. So many people don't bother. Not that we will know it once we are gone but it gives us solace while we are living that things will be done the way we want them.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
It is a tough decision to make and especially if your young and have so much time ahead of you. One day you will think about it and come up with whatever sounds best to you.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
No matter how we are buried we end up dust. Once the body rots all is left is the dust.
@rhona010100 (9)
• Philippines
9 Jul 07
i prefer to be cremated when i die. because as what uve said, i also think and imagined all the horrible images when your 6 feet under, even though we are no longer in this world when that times come it is really imaginable!!
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
When the time comes and we know we are going to die I think knowing that I'm going to be cremated will be a small comfort to me.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I would much rather have it happen in a flash than the time it takes while buried underground.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
8 Jul 07
I have considered cremation for many years, ctry. My children are against it, but I tell them it's my body and it's my choice. I don't quite like the idea of mouldering in a box in the earth myself. I lived in Tennessee for a long time and I have requested that they take my ashes back there and scatter them. This would make me rest in peace. Many people don't like to talk about dying but it is something we all must eventually deal with. Better to have your wishes carried out than not.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
My kids are also against cremation and I've told them the same thing...it's my body and these are my wishes.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
8 Jul 07
I'm sorry but I don't believe you! lolol...I'm sure your family wouldn't flush your ashes down the toilet! If it's all arranged and paid for I give you a lot of credit for thinking ahead and saving your family a lot of problems.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I think no matter which way we do it it's still a burden on our families.
@punlonnjack (1308)
• United States
8 Jul 07
when my mother passes she wanted cremated i dissagred with her i felt it was horrible for your body to burn away. but we respected her wishes and im glad i did. my grandmother also choice to be cremated and now they both are in urns at the same location. they are together and pretty much been together all there living years..and now.this comforted me after the fact ..now i choice to be cremated and add to the site we i will then be with them as well. one big happy family pardon the pun..
@Lady_Yeng (102)
• Philippines
9 Jul 07
I prefer to be cremated since it is the most practical nowadays. I dont want to be in a cofin while other people are staring at me crying and talking how ugly or how badly Ive been in the cofin.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
9 Jul 07
Usually people say how beautiful and natural the person looks in the coffin and I always hate that!
