Retiring On A Fixed Income And The High Cost Of Funerals (relative, friends)
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I have not read the whole post but let me share my experience. My husband died in Oct 2011. We had a viewing, a Catholic Mass and a burial service at Arlington. Because the graveside service and plot were at Arlington I did not pay for graveside service, plot, or grave marker. The rest cost was $8600. I was surprised when it came time to make choices I was not comfortable with cremation. It gives me comfort to know that some day we will be buried together. My husband belonged to the Knights of Columbus and his brother Knights gave him every honor.
My husband had cancer and it was very aggressive. He dealt with chemo, radiation, and clinical trials at NHI. I knew as his disease progressed that I would had to make arrangements as it would have been to difficult to deal with at the very end. So I did --- 6 weeks before he died. I did not want to burden my children so I made the arrangements quietly on my own.
I know it was expensive and without the military benefit it would have been closer to $14000. But for me it was the right choice.
As a traditional Catholic, I won't be cremated. There is no need for embalming, or an expensive casket, however. I would never want to be cremated in any case.
As a traditional Catholic, I won't be cremated. There is no need for embalming, or an expensive casket, however. I would never want to be cremated in any case.
lily4,
My father was a devout Catholic (went to mass everyday and said the rosary many times a day) but wanted to be cremated (after the church service). My mother also wants to be cremated. I'm not sure what you meant by 'traditional' but below is the link to the Catholic Church's view on cremation.
The revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 helps Catholics understand that the 1963 lifting of the prohibition forbidding Catholics to cremate their deceased loved one’s remains was never intended as an endorsement: “The Church earnestly recommends the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed, it does not however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching" (Canon 1176). The Church now allows for cremation of the body, providing that family members making that decision are not doing so because they fear the body is lost forever and has no future together in Christ with the immortal soul.
My father was a devout Catholic (went to mass everyday and said the rosary many times a day) but wanted to be cremated (after the church service). My mother also wants to be cremated. I'm not sure what you meant by 'traditional' but below is the link to the Catholic Church's view on cremation.
I was raised Catholic but do not go to Mass. We went to a Catholic funeral mass the other day and my sister refused to get Communion because it was being dispensed by Eucharistic ministers - female at that. She is weird. Doesn't even go to Mass anyway. But I guess once some people are indoctrinated, they can't quit.
I hadn't been to mass or confession in decades. I went to communion - step aside - try to stop me!
I was raised Catholic but do not go to Mass. We went to a Catholic funeral mass the other day and my sister refused to get Communion because it was being dispensed by Eucharistic ministers - female at that. She is weird. Doesn't even go to Mass anyway. But I guess once some people are indoctrinated, they can't quit.
I hadn't been to mass or confession in decades. I went to communion - step aside - try to stop me!
And some younger ones follow the older practices because they want the approval of those older Catholics. I have a young niece who is very traditional in her views and is uncomfortable explaining it except in the presence of other traditional Catholics.
I was raised Catholic but do not go to Mass. We went to a Catholic funeral mass the other day and my sister refused to get Communion because it was being dispensed by Eucharistic ministers - female at that. She is weird. Doesn't even go to Mass anyway. But I guess once some people are indoctrinated, they can't quit.
I hadn't been to mass or confession in decades. I went to communion - step aside - try to stop me!
So you enjoy making a mockery of others beliefs? Easy to see since you don't understand the purpose of this thread.
My wife and I have each donated our remains to the local Medical College. They remove the body within 24 hours of death. They have a yearly memorial service for those that have done so. There is no cost to the the family.
The survivor will have a "Remembrance Celebration" (as in eating and drinking) within a few weeks of the passing.
In Texas you have a do it yourself funeral. No undertaker needed. There are other states that allow this also. There was a nice PBS documentary detailing the process.
My wife and I have each donated our remains to the local Medical College. They remove the body within 24 hours of death. They have a yearly memorial service for those that have done so. There is no cost to the the family.
The survivor will have a "Remembrance Celebration" (as in eating and drinking) within a few weeks of the passing.
I wonder if there is a listing of places that accept them. I would do that to further limit financial impact and not make them have to deal with the ashes (anyone who has ever spread any knows what I mean).
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