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Actually, my recent experience is exactly the opposite of this posting.
We had a family member pass away a few years ago who had run up a bit of debt on his credit cards, over $30 K. The cards were in his name only.
When he passed away, the credit card companies demanded payment from his widow. However, after checking out the laws pertaining to debt and death, we found that she wasn't liable for the debt at all, and the cards were never paid off.
So, I guess he "won".
I believe the laws regarding spouse liability for debt vary by state. What state are you talking about?
Escort Rider-if I'm reading your post correctly, you're implying that if you're cremated, you can't have a memorial service. Not so. Both my perents were cremated (they're request) and both had memorial services. Mom had to make the arrangements for dad's as he died suddenly but she made her arrangemts at the same time. Has a niche next to his, chose the container to hold the ashes-everything but the weather.
Made it a lot easier.
Escort Rider-if I'm reading your post correctly, you're implying that if you're cremated, you can't have a memorial service. Not so. Both my perents were cremated (they're request) and both had memorial services. Mom had to make the arrangements for dad's as he died suddenly but she made her arrangemts at the same time. Has a niche next to his, chose the container to hold the ashes-everything but the weather. Made it a lot easier.
No, I did not mean to imply that, because I know what you're saying is true. Sorry if my post was not clearly worded. The customer can arrange anything he wants, if it's not illegal. There can be embalming, a standard service, and then cremation, although that particular sequence is not real common. Burial following a traditional service can be private (restricted to the family), although that is not real common either. There can be a grave-side service only. There are all sorts of combinations. My sister and I did not order a limousine for our mother's traditional service because I knew I would be O.K. emotionally to drive and felt it would be a waste of money. I used to work as a motorcycle funeral escort rider, so I know a little about the business. We escorts did not deal directly with the families, but we would help load the caskets into the hearses following services and all sorts of things like that. I found the Buddhist services very interesting because they were so different from what I was used to. We liked Catholic services the best because they were short and to the point - no hanging around for a long-winded preacher. Some preachers could preach over an hour - just incredible.
[quote=Bideshi;16779624
I hesitate to bring this up because of the emotions it will stir, but it may help someone with no other choice. If no one claims the body, the government has to dispose of the remains at their expense. I will advise my family to do exactly that when I die.[/QUOTE]
But then you might get buried in a bad neighborhood.
Here is a plan I may do. I will use my excellant credit to buy some gold coins and store them in a secret place. Then I will go bankrupt and care less about my credit score. When I need cash I will just sell a coin under the table to a coin broker I know and the credit card people cant and wont get squat....There is no law against going broke so they can pound sand...lol
"Originally Posted by newenglandgirl Yes, death is the ultimate emergency. But why pay big bucks for a funeral? What is the point? Why not instruct your family to have your remains cremated immediately and scatter your ashes over the Pacific, Atlantic, Mount Washington, or wherever? Gone is gone. Let not consumerism consume even our final and most sacred act."
I hesitate to bring this up because of the emotions it will stir, but it may help someone with no other choice. If no one claims the body, the government has to dispose of the remains at their expense. I will advise my family to do exactly that when I die.
Because your family doesn't have the money? I hope its that. If they had the money and did this that would be sleazy.
my family was in the funeral home business. as a young man I was being groomed for life as a funeral director. my embalming school was paid.
thank god for the hippie movement ! while everyone else was wearing blue jeans and had long hair I was a 18 yr old with a crew cut and a suit. how could I join into the sexual revolution looking like that ? so I rebelled and quit the business.
I in looking back can see that it is a business that prays on the fact the family is at a weak time.
I used to hear things like "why dont you buy this mahogany casket for John" the widow would say "but it so expensive" and the reply was always"you do want the best for John ....Dont you?" this question would be asked for each step of the purchasing process. the widow would say I think we will bury John in his blue suit " and the reply was this brand new suit here is what would be best....you do want whats best for John.....dont you"
so who is the sleazy ones here?
do what ever you want when your relatives die, they wont mind,but dont go into major debt for a funeral it isn't what (John) would want.
Yes, death is the ultimate emergency. But why pay big bucks for a funeral? What is the point? Why not instruct your family to have your remains cremated immediately and scatter your ashes over the Pacific, Atlantic, Mount Washington, or wherever? Gone is gone. Let not consumerism consume even our final and most sacred act.
I agree with you about the funeral costs but many people aren't able to save for the huge medical expenses durning the last few years of life. We need to solve the insurance problem so people can die with some level of dignity, regardless of their bank account.
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