Do you think Covid patients should arrange to be cremated instead of buried?

[Alnitak7]

So many Covid-19 patients in New York have passed away that they don't know how to handle so many deaths all at once. https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/04/03/new-york-considers-loosening-requirements-for-funeral-directors-as-bodies-pile-up-1271316

What immediately came to mind is that people should arrange to be cremated instead of buried so they won't take up space when they pass away and the question of where to put them would be solved. We should all plan for this way before we become terminally ill.

I found it frustrating that they didn't seem to have thought of this.

[Naturally Brilliant, BSN, RN]

It's actually cheaper and faster for New York to bury them vs. cremate them. That's why they are going to temporarily bury people in parks. I presume they'll be transferred to Hart Island for reinterment later on.

[amoLucia]

Who will be bearing the costs for the unexpected deaths' burial arrangements?

Why not allow cremations free for families, and for undertakers allow some reimbursement from gov't benefits?

I would believe that more families might more willingly consider such arrangements if financial burdens could be avoided. Esp in such unexpected and uncertain circumstances at this time.

I do understand that some religions might prohibit such arrangements so this would have to be considered.

*** I don't mean to offend anyone and I'm certainly NOT trying to sound money-grubbing or coldhearted (Scrooge-like). I'm trying to be practical and pragmatic with my response. OP did raise a realist issue. Final disposition of cremains has often been problematic in other times of natural disasters and emergencies.

The necessity of preplanning circumstances surrounding one's demise should be addressed PRIOR to need. I'm sure none of these victims' families ever expected such an occurrence as C19.

Holding good thoughts for those families and all of us.

[toomuchbaloney]

On 4/6/2020 at 7:04 PM, Saiderap said:

So many Covid-19 patients in New York have passed away that they don't know how to handle so many deaths all at once. https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/04/03/new-york-considers-loosening-requirements-for-funeral-directors-as-bodies-pile-up-1271316

What immediately came to mind is that people should arrange to be cremated instead of buried so they won't take up space when they pass away and the question of where to put them would be solved. We should all plan for this way before we become terminally ill.

I found it frustrating that they didn't seem to have thought of this.

That throws lots of carbon into the atmosphere...