Tombstone selection

[Frito Ray]

Went to a burial this week and noticed the same tombstone stencil used on five of eighteen stones on the same row, two of which were side by side.

It was a fine design but seeing it repeated so many times devalued it.

I took a mental note that when the time finally comes, to visit the ”neighborhood” before making a design selection.

 

[Saloogie]

Well, I'm being buried in a Military Cemetery and they don't give you any choices! They make it easy, every single stone is exactly the same!

But to be honest, I wouldn't mind picking out my own stone. There's room for your style and individuality.

 

[NorthernSoul]

You never know when that day will come. I guess you could put it in your Will: "Tombstone must be of a unique design within a 100 foot radius of the grave site."

 

[mikey517]

I've already picked out my casket...really!!

 

[silverlifter]

My father in law had a natural burial in a compostable casket with a wooden marker. Eight years later, his grave is a natural woodland. That's how I plan to rest.

 

[Saloogie]

I've already picked out my casket...really!!

View attachment 1887735

I know it doesn't matter much, well not at all actually, what we're buried in once we're gone, but darn, you gotta do better than a used machine crate!

 

[mikey517]

I know it doesn't matter much, well not at all actually, what we're buried in once we're gone, but darn, you gotta do better than a used machine crate!

Seriously, why???

When my father died years ago, we spent a small fortune on a coffin. Saw it one day, then buried. My mother died during Covid, no viewing or guests. The funeral director - a long time friend - advised me to just get a simple casket which I did, and it got me to thinking...and I came up with the idea to have my neighbor build me a shipping crate coffin and paint the labels "This Side Up" and "Fragile". Since then I found these online. Also, I dislike the idea of a wake and funeral, so that's not going to happen.

In any event, at 75 years old, it's just planning at this point, and I have no intentions of leaving soon.

And if a plain wooden casket was good enough for Pope John Paul II...

 

[Saloogie]

Why?

I believe in tradition. I believe in the Christian Burial Rite. I believe our death to this world isn't something to be made lite of. Your funeral director friend is right, a simple, but dignified casket is the right way to go about it. I think mourners might be shocked at seeing a shipping crate at the burial.

But to each his own. I wasn't going to answer, but you did ask!

 

[Frito Ray]

I’m going under the torch myself.

 

[Tanuki]

Cremation has been a popular option in both my family and my wife's. After seeing the boxes for various cremains, I made a more substantial cedar box for my brother's ashes. They are buried next to our mother's ashes.

Headstones were an issue during the pandemic. We ran up against both a shortage of markers and an unhelpful cemetery manager. My brother's grave is still unmarked. It is a small rural churchyard cemetery with the graves of many relatives going back to the 19th century. But it is also almost two thousand miles away.

 

[Frito Ray]

Seriously, why??

Just make sure everyone knows it is your choice or else your immediate family will pass as being disrespectful or complete cheapskates!…humm, but that might be the appeal for some to do this

 

[Frito Ray]

My mother died during Covid,

Headstones were an issue during the pandemic

Did not think of that as an explanation for the identical stones, but that could be part of the reason.

It does make sense as it was in the newer section of the cemetary.

 

[luvmysuper]

I'm getting roasted, unembalmed, in a Cardboard box. My ashes will be deposited in a water soluble urn, and dumped from a ship into the ocean by the United States Navy.
I want my departure to be as least expensive as I can possibly imagine for my wife or whoever is left.
No funeral, but some of the money that would have gone for a fancy box will go for a party where friends and family can gather, eat, drink, and remember my stupid jokes!

 

[Deano]

Seriously, why???

When my father died years ago, we spent a small fortune on a coffin. Saw it one day, then buried. My mother died during Covid, no viewing or guests. The funeral director - a long time friend - advised me to just get a simple casket which I did, and it got me to thinking...and I came up with the idea to have my neighbor build me a shipping crate coffin and paint the labels "This Side Up" and "Fragile". Since then I found these online. Also, I dislike the idea of a wake and funeral, so that's not going to happen.

In any event, at 75 years old, it's just planning at this point, and I have no intentions of leaving soon.

And if a plain wooden casket was good enough for Pope John Paul II...

Yep. those decorated oak coffins look nice for 2 or 3 days then get put in the ground never to be seen again. My wife is in one side of a two sided urn. I'm going in the other side. What the kids do with it is up to them.

 

[Old Hippie]

As the executor of my parent's estate I had "the talk" with them about what they wanted done with the bodies. Both my parents said the exact same thing. "Put a notice in the newspaper, that's all. No ceremonies, just cremation." They were intensely private people. Many of the family and friends got angry with me for following their wishes. I simply told them that Mom & The Major got what they wanted, and if anyone wanted more of a celebration they were welcome to go pick up a jug and have fun. We also suggested donations to a scholarship in my mother's name, which collected a surprising amount of money.

They rest, side by side, in a columbarium space in a national cemetery on account of my father's career in the US Army. When I'm in the vicinity I drop in and catch them up on what's been happening.

O.H.

 

[Toothpick]

I’ll be cremated and at the memorial service I want them to play all the great burning/fire/death songs. There’s just to many of them to pass up this golden opportunity. If I have to I’ll pick one now and start telling everyone it’s my favorite song ever just so they have to play it…because it’s my favorite ya know…

 

[Tomo]

Given the choice I’d go for a natural burial. I’m doing my best to avoid ending up anywhere too hot after I die. Ovens and flames are not for me. Getting pumped full of chemicals doesn’t sound like much fun either. I’m happy to rot back down into nature. A nice big shade tree should be planted on top of me as a marker. Wedding ring on my finger, straight razor and cigar in my pocket, something from the kids. Anyone that drops by for a visit is invited to bring a stiff drink and water the tree with it.

 

[Mojo88]

I'm getting roasted, unembalmed, in a Cardboard box. My ashes will be deposited in a water soluble urn, and dumped from a ship into the ocean by the United States Navy.
I want my departure to be as least expensive as I can possibly imagine for my wife or whoever is left.
No funeral, but some of the money that would have gone for a fancy box will go for a party where friends and family can gather, eat, drink, and remember my stupid jokes!

Exactly the same for me, minus the Navy sea burial as I didn’t serve. We have a walking trail by our house with a stream so I told my wife to put my ashes there. Then when they feel like it, have a party and remember the good times.

 

[luvmysuper]

Exactly the same for me, minus the Navy sea burial as I didn’t serve. We have a walking trail by our house with a stream so I told my wife to put my ashes there. Then when they feel like it, have a party and remember the good times.

I think the Neptune Society was offering cremation and burial at sea for non serving people.

https://neptunesociety.com/

 

[Old Hippie]

My brother laughs because his military career spanned the US Army, Coast Guard and Navy. He kept getting seconded to other services to exercise his skills. Consequently he simply plans to be buried in the same national cemetery where our parents are.

Me, I've left instructions to toast the remains and sprinkle them over a place I've loved all my life. But if they just dig me in under the roses (I'm not a rose fancier...) that'll be fine. If it's a problem we'll sort it out later.

O.H.