Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Bury me like a Jew

Cliff and I are in our sixties now, and we sometimes talk about our funerals and what our preferences are.

I always tell Cliff that if it were up to me, I'd be cremated. But if he outlives me and that makes him uncomfortable, he can do whatever he wants with this worn-out body that will only be a shell that used to house my soul.

I have to say that the older I get, the more I enjoy funerals. I know that sounds sick, but hey... it's a family reunion! You get to see people you never see under other circumstances. And yet....

Not so long ago, I read an entry by the Kansas City Russian that really hit home.

Can you really do that, Meesha? People tell me you have to buy the vault, that it's the law. A simple box would do me just fine, but folks tell me it isn't possible.

You're right, the makeup and embalming is creepy.

When I'm dead it won't matter to me, so the family can do whatever they're comfortable with. But if it were my choice, I'd be either cremated, or buried like a Jew.

Just remember, I DO want a headstone someplace.

3 comments:

  1. Last two Jewish funerals I went to caskets were not plain boxes, but not super fancy. I think they use a concrete vault or a liner because they put a lid on it.Here it says:NO state requires vaults. That might well be a cemetery regulation, which is common. It's a maintenance and safety issue to keep the graves from caving in later.
    I think (maybe wrong) in the country people are less likely to screw with the family of the deceased and try to sell them unneeded junk.

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  2. http://www.greenburials.org/

    We do not have to buy into the horrific funeral system.

    My dad and I both want to end up in the back 40 in the far corner in a cardboard box. I can only hope.

    Peace to you, my friend.

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  3. I am only three years younger than you, so please, let's not talk about funerals....lol.

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