GTKY: When you're dead...

KingLED · January 2014

My husband was updating his will and we came across the option of being part of an "eternal reef." So it got me thinking, what do you want to have happen to your body when you're dead?

Terrapantz · January 2014

I'm torn between cremated and turned into a diamond that my children will have to wear and donating my body to science.

SidraJedi · January 2014

SS- Wedding ring, linen shroud, pine box, holly tree. No headstone.

Belou52579 · January 2014

I thought you were going to ask if you could have my stuff when I died, @ellyd14

jrcalhoun · January 2014

I honestly don't care what happens with my body when I die. I guess I would lean more towards donating all of my goods to science, or donate everything I could to a poor soul that did some serious liver damage after years of drinking or a little kid that needed something. I'm trying to worry about what I'm doing with my body while I'm alive.

Unknown · January 2014

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Unknown · January 2014

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themrsJRD · January 2014

I'd like to donate what I can to science and cremate whatever remains. Then be scattered somewhere nice.. Or maybe shot off like a firework somehow! Also, no mourning, no religious ceremony, etc. I'd prefer everyone celebrate with a party including cake and alcohol. Seriously. I just told my husband and in laws this today!

AngeliaG8 · January 2014

meladoriestar said:
SS: have you seen that place that mixes your ashes with seeds so you can be planted and turned into a tree?

I know it sounds so hippie or sarcastic, but I want to be a tree when I die (lol I know it sounds strange, but I'm being serious).

That or pull a gene Roddenberry and be shot into space...

I was thinking about becoming a tree too. I think it's a beautiful thing really.

Yeah I'm a SS.

hecklet · January 2014

I'd want any usable body parts to be donated to science, or to a donor if that were ever an option. The rest can be cremated, though I'd rather have the ashes spread somewhere or buried, not on a mantle.

MMason12 · January 2014

Bree8485 said:

I want to be cremated but I don't want to sit on a mantle. I want my ashes scattered somewhere fun! I'll have to check into this eternal reef though. I have never heard of such a thing.

This!

Irishcurls · January 2014

You know, I really haven't thought about it much. My main thing is not being vegetative, hooked up to a machine for ungodly days.

jrcalhoun · January 2014

HepburnChic said:

I want to be cremated, DH wants to be buried. I wouldn't want my kids having to plan a funeral for me.

So funny story,

You know how in movies when they go to spread ashes at crazy places like the ocean or roller coasters or just ridiculousness?
That happened to my mother and me at the Grand Canyon. I had someone's dead grandmother all over my face and hair. It was an honor.

KingLED · January 2014

I want to be donated to science and the rest be medical waste. Funerals/burials are far too expensive to be a justifiable option in my opinion. Plus I have a thing against grave yards. They make car parks look like a brilliant use of land.

DLpanda08 · January 2014

There is a nature preserve in my state that allows for natural burials... no casket, no embalming, no super expensive gravestone. I'll be wrapped in a linen sheet and buried in a spot of my choosing on the nature preserve and my grave will be marked by a native plant of some sort (like a dogwood or an azalea).

jrcalhoun · January 2014

DLpanda08 said:

There is a nature preserve in my state that allows for natural burials... no casket, no embalming, no super expensive gravestone. I'll be wrapped in a linen sheet and buried in a spot of my choosing on the nature preserve and my grave will be marked by a native plant of some sort (like a dogwood or an azalea).

I wonder if it smells there when it rains. I'm assuming they bury you the full six feet?

DLpanda08 · January 2014

@jrcalhoun yes, you are buried the full 6 feet. I'm not sure about the rain issue though... That's an interesting thought. Although it's not like it will matter to me at that point lol.

Edit: I just checked their website and they actually only bury you 3 feet under.

ADH0906 · January 2014

jrcalhoun said:

DLpanda08 said:

There is a nature preserve in my state that allows for natural burials... no casket, no embalming, no super expensive gravestone. I'll be wrapped in a linen sheet and buried in a spot of my choosing on the nature preserve and my grave will be marked by a native plant of some sort (like a dogwood or an azalea).

I wonder if it smells there when it rains. I'm assuming they bury you the full six feet?

I feel like I heard a story about this on NPR (natch) and six feet is too deep for all the beneficial bugs, etc. to decompose the body quickly, or something?

I think the idea of a traditional burial is kind of weird and a strange use of space, but I'm torn because the historian in me has always had a soft spot for historic cemeteries. A nature preserve is a nice idea @DLpanda08.

jcsumm0 · January 2014

Donate my organs, give the rest of me to science, then, if possible, I'd like to be put in the ground, no embalming or anything. Six Feet Under made me realize I don't want to be embalmed or cremated. I know they cremated my grandparents whose bodies were donated to science, so I'm not sure you have a choice with that.

We had a great black comedy moment in my family last spring when we tried to set my grandfather's ashes on a little board raft into the Kentucky river and they kept washing back to shore. It was pretty funny, and like him to be so difficult

WinningColors · January 2014

I want to be cremated. After that, I don't care what is done with my ashes.

jillybean7582 · January 2014

hecklet said:
I'd want any usable body parts to be donated to science, or to a donor if that were ever an option. The rest can be cremated, though I'd rather have the ashes spread somewhere or buried, not on a mantle.

This is my thoughts too. Although that tree thing sounds right up my alley maybe I will have to look that up.

LaDyBostonRN · January 2014

I also want to be donated to science with the rest cremated. I don't like the idea of my body rotting in the ground, IDK why.

My mom says when she dies, she wants to use the money we would use for a big funeral to buy tickets to a warm, tropical place where we can all spend a few days celebrating her life.

CMSullivan326 · January 2014

My organs are to be donated then they can put me in a box 6 feet under.

The thought of my body being ashes creeps me out.

jesswein9 · January 2014

I'd donate all organs possible and then be cremated and have the ashes scattered somewhere. I just heard about the whole diamond thing yesterday though, it's fascinating. I hear that's uber expensive though.

iam3jenn · January 2014

I want my organs donated, and then I don't really care. I know that I have a place reserved with DH's family, but I told DH I didn't mind being cremated either. When we found out that was almost as expensive, I told him to decide. He wants a pine box like in cowboy movies.

AppleGrapeMSTK · January 2014

I always thought that cremation and holding on to your loved ones was kind of morbid, but ever since being married, I realized I would hate to not have my husband around, even if it was in a jar. If he lets me cremate him, I'll want to be cremated, too. Otherwise, I guess it's whatever my kids would be comfortable with.

britneyfaye · January 2014

I want to be buried. Boring, I know.

I went to the funeral of the old drama teacher at my high school. He was referred to as the living legend when I was in school. The theatre was named after him and he won countless awards for one act and literary competitions. But he spent the past 15 years planning his funerals. He designed the flowers for his casket, chose speakers and performers. It was by far the best funeral I've ever been to. It was held in the theatre that's named after him and was more a remembrance of his life and how he changed thousands of students life's as well. It was his final curtain call and he did it well. He received a standing ovation at the end of the funeral.

DLpanda08 · January 2014

britneyfaye said:

I want to be buried. Boring, I know. I went to the funeral of the old drama teacher at my high school. He was referred to as the living legend when I was in school. The theatre was named after him and he won countless awards for one act and literary competitions. But he spent the past 15 years planning his funerals. He designed the flowers for his casket, chose speakers and performers. It was by far the best funeral I've ever been to. It was held in the theatre that's named after him and was more a remembrance of his life and how he changed thousands of students life's as well. It was his final curtain call and he did it well. He received a standing ovation at the end of the funeral.

@britneyfaye While reading about your drama teacher's funeral I was picturing the end of Mr. Holland's Opus. It sounds like an excellent celebration of life. Everyone should be so lucky to be remembered like that.

Sicheyanne · January 2014

Whatever makes my kids feel better. I'll be dead so I'm sure I won't care, LOL.

hecklet · January 2014

jillybean7582 said:

I'd want any usable body parts to be donated to science, or to a donor if that were ever an option. The rest can be cremated, though I'd rather have the ashes spread somewhere or buried, not on a mantle.
This is my thoughts too. Although that tree thing sounds right up my alley maybe I will have to look that up.

I agree, the tree thing does sound pretty cool!

lebradford · January 2014

I really don't care. I want the people who are left to do whatever makes them happy. Ideally part of me would go to science, but if my loved ones wanted part of me to bury or cremate, that would be fine with me.

I care a little more about funeral. I would rather have a relaxing end-of-life celebration with wine and snacks and people milling about than have a public viewing and a drawn-out service. Again, I would defer to whatever made the people left feel best though.

As long as it doesn't involve a church service. :-P

ngolimento · January 2014

No lie, I decided a couple years ago to have my body converted into a diamond:

www.lifegem.com

gradmommy13 · January 2014

I've never really thought about it in detail. I've always thought that I'd be buried, but I'm not sure anymore.

ColinTheRobot · January 2014

Use as many bits as possible. Do whatever is cheapest after that. Spend what would have been spent on a funeral taking everyone out to a restaurant for a yummy dinner instead.

CDumpster84 · January 2014

Donate my organs then cremate me. Flush my ashes down the toilet.

joshua+rebecca11 · January 2014

Use whatever good can some out of my body for science or give to others. Burn the rest and put it somewhere useful, like in a garden or something, where any nutrients left will be useful. I really like the tree idea, that would be a cool way to remember someone. I'll have to check into the eternal reef idea, never heard of it.

wishiwaspreggo · January 2014

Harvest anything that's useful. Burn the rest. Spread over Cocoa Beach, Florida so I can sit in the sand and watch the waves in spirit for eternity.

Edit: one cannot watch saves, but one can watch waves

wishiwaspreggo · January 2014

sckeens said:

Spread my ashes. Maybe at Disneyland, so I can forever remain at the happiest place on earth. Even though it's not allowed. I'll make my kids sneak me in) But I want a headstone/ Memorial plaque in a Cemetery, because I'm a total AW

C and I actually have to plan this for my MIL. She wants her ashes spread at the Haunted Mansion, in the cemetery area out front on the way into the ride. I was thinking of mixing her ashes in a can of Coca Cola (her favorite drink) and pouring it out in the graveyard area. I wonder if that would be suspicious... I know it's illegal but we're trying to brainstorm ways to make it happen because we know that's her dying wish, and we've known it for a long time.

aggiebug · January 2014

I want all my usable organs donated hopefully via transplant if not to other science pathways. H on the other hand freaked when I said that. He said he doesn't want my skin or eyes donated which I found to be amusing.

I dislike graveyards personally. If I want to talk to my dead relatives I don't need a gravestone.

NerdyLucy · January 2014

Meh. I don't care if you wrap me up in a garbage bag and throw me over a hill.

I would like my organs donated though. Heck, donate my whole body to science. I guess that makes the most sense.

JerkStore213 · January 2014

I'm an organ donor, so I hope my organs/parts can end up helping people if that's the case. I recently went to the Bodies exhibit, and I thought that would be a pretty cool thing to do. I would love to donate my body to science.

ETA - I saw PP mention a firework. Eff science, I wanna be a firework.

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