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Casket, half-off...
Y'know, obscure things you learn along the way can come in useful later.
When my dad passed on my brother and I were introduced to the world of Sticker Shock that funeral parlours have. We shook our head at their prices and got our own container for ashes - a koa-wood box - at a local artist's shop, but I remember the prices for all the geegaws they offered.
Now my grandmother is fading fast and I'm helping my folks to figure out what to do - went along with them to the funeral place last night to sit at a fancy table surrounded by all the fancy things people can indulge in for a funeral, like wedding planning in a twilight-zone sort of way. I'd briefed my stepdad on things I'd learned ahead, like embalming not being required and basic plot liners being sufficient but we still ended up with an expensive casket because one aunt simply would not go for the plainer wood box. SO...when we got home I pointed him to the discount caskets I'd found online and that the exact casket could be had with overnight shipping for half the cost. Whew. It's easy to see how people who are emotionally distraught get taken for a ride by these places, I tell you...! 'Souvenir' crucifixes for $20 a pop? Oy. I mean, I know they're just making a living but... yeah.
My stepdad looks at all of this and says he'll be happy if I just cremate him and stick him in Tupperware.
Only real weirdness moment for me was leafing through the 'sample' memorial folders and finding one for my own great-uncle whom I didn't even know had passed away, the last of my grandfather's many brothers. I only vaguely remember him as a barber from my early childhood, but it was interesting anyway.
When my dad passed on my brother and I were introduced to the world of Sticker Shock that funeral parlours have. We shook our head at their prices and got our own container for ashes - a koa-wood box - at a local artist's shop, but I remember the prices for all the geegaws they offered.
Now my grandmother is fading fast and I'm helping my folks to figure out what to do - went along with them to the funeral place last night to sit at a fancy table surrounded by all the fancy things people can indulge in for a funeral, like wedding planning in a twilight-zone sort of way. I'd briefed my stepdad on things I'd learned ahead, like embalming not being required and basic plot liners being sufficient but we still ended up with an expensive casket because one aunt simply would not go for the plainer wood box. SO...when we got home I pointed him to the discount caskets I'd found online and that the exact casket could be had with overnight shipping for half the cost. Whew. It's easy to see how people who are emotionally distraught get taken for a ride by these places, I tell you...! 'Souvenir' crucifixes for $20 a pop? Oy. I mean, I know they're just making a living but... yeah.
My stepdad looks at all of this and says he'll be happy if I just cremate him and stick him in Tupperware.
Only real weirdness moment for me was leafing through the 'sample' memorial folders and finding one for my own great-uncle whom I didn't even know had passed away, the last of my grandfather's many brothers. I only vaguely remember him as a barber from my early childhood, but it was interesting anyway.
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As it was, it was still $9,000! =:O But we were content.
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As for your funereal commentary, some of those coffins are just beautifully extravagant pieces of furniture that get buried in the ground. I am sure everyone is motivated to show love and respect to their deceased dear ones so I can see why something gorgeous would appeal. But if lovely well crafted wooden boxes are love, I'd rather they buy themselves a nice chest of drawers to be enjoyed above ground. They can do it in my honor if they want to.
I'm with your stepdad! They can cremate me, dump me in a hole in the backyard and plant a tree with as little fuss as possible.
I do know there is a fair amount of overhead in the mortuary business, but those markups seem excessive. Good shopping, Prim!
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Remembering you and yours dear friend.
Love and Peace,
O