A Morbid Poll I know.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Now I know this may seem rather morbid to some. It really isnt meant to be. But as nurses some of the issues we have to face are the decisions that patients and families have made for the end of their life. This is a poll of what you think best applies to your thoughts and beliefs about how you would like to see the end of your life ceremony proceed. There are many different ceremonies and I cant begin to list them all.

Would you prefer.......

1 The standard traditional funeral in this country with either a closed or open casket followed by cemetery

internment with the usual body preparation at a funeral home.

2. Cremation

3. Cremation with your ashes being made into "Reef Ball" to help rebuild coral reefs.

4. Natural or green Burial, where after a viewing if wished you are buried in green or enviromentally safe fashion.

I know this is a morbid question , but I have been researching for a while. Just out of curiosity and some decisions I have had to help patients and their families with of late.

Did you know in a study, easily found on the net. That is an average 10 acre cemetery contains enough coffin wood to construct more than 40 homes, nearly 1000 tons of casket metal and another 20,000 tons of vault concrete. Add to that enough toxic embalming fluid to fill a backyard swimming pool, a human carcinogen. I can see why they are being considered as de facto landfills of nonbiodegradable materials. Classified by the EPA as hazardous waste. All this has amazed me to no end.

Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

My biggest fear is dying in a fire... no way do I want to be creamated! I'll take the dirt and bugs any day and my family is well aware of this.

I would prefer cremation, and what my family does with the ashes is up to them. The only instruction I have to my family is if you seperate the ashes between the family members please remember what container you put them in..

When my friends grandfather passed away they split the ashes between the family members and each got a small jar (looked like a spice jar), after a year or two, she married and her new husband was cleaning up one day and found the "SPICE" jar in the bedroom in the closet and proceeded to put it away, in the kitchen cabinet. Needless to say she could tell the difference since she knew what the jar looked like, but I always wondered :thnkg: what if he dediced to cook her dinner before she got home that day???? eeww!

I don't want a funeral. It isn't important and I don't care anything about being remembered. And I want to be cremated and have my ashes dumped in the ocean. If it would be useful they could turn me into a coral reef.

Specializes in CVICU, Burns, Trauma, BMT, Infection control.

Just have a good old Irish wake and dig me a hole outside and bury me somewhere with a view if possible. Cremation releases a lot of harmful gasses into the atmosphere,being embalmed adds chemicals and those incredibly fancy coffins just delay the inevitable while tying up the ground as far as cemeteries go while polluting it.

After I die I'm done with my body.

Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

Sorry for your loss KarenG

I love the idea of a wiccan funeral also.

Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

I also forgot, There is a company that after cremation turns your ashes into a Diamond that can be worn as jewelry. I love jewels.

I think I'd rather be cremated, although the whole green thing appeals to me. Yup, cremate me, and play a little Johnny Cash while you're at it...:D (I'll let you guess the song, if you're a fan..)

Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

I love that song also.

Karen, sorry for your loss.

Cremation. Defo! No embalming, if they can get any organs off me, that'd be my pleasure. Not fussed about casket, I really don't know if they can't just use some linen or something. Not fussed what they do with the ashes, but I know people here scatter them on Ben Nevis and it ain't a pretty sight, so I'm still thinking about that one, my other half has picked a spot for himself, but I don't like the place, I crashed the bike there offroading, I'll grant his wish though.

I just want a party to celebrate what I was and give my kid some strenght and support. Vegetarian food and vodca on the menu, Gogol Bordello, that type of party. And no family from my side is required to attend, as i'm orthodox and they'll erase me from the family bible if they knew what I've done. An orthodox funeral equals 48 hours open casket on the dining table in the living room, wake, hiring old ladies who are wailing and pulling their hair, everybody dressed strictly in black, no shaving for the men for 40 days....and then you get the pleasure of having your bones out after 7 years, drenched in wine and buried again...I mean...WHY?

Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

Slice and dice and put me in a Glad trash bag (only want the best stuff). ;) Could really care less since I am gone, much like Suesquatch.

All joking aside...sorry to hear about your loss, KarenG!

My mom's parents were both cremated and their ashes buried at a place that was special to them. I can't say where because technically it's illegal to put ashes there...it WASN'T illegal when they chose it. My dad's dad's ashes are in a family plot somewhere in Canada. My dad's mom will have the traditional embalming and burial in her father's plot when the time comes. Both of my parents have said 'donate whatever they'll take, burn the rest, after that I don't care' which is pretty much my attitude, although 'green' burial sounds nice too.

Specializes in Home Health, Case Management, OR.

I would like any organs that can provide a better life for someone living to be donated, and it's up to my family what they want to do with the remains of my body afterwards. I don't want them to have to struggle to pay for anything, so I hope they just pick the cheapest route as at that point its just an empty shell they are dealing with, the soul has moved on and will live in luxury!

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