Shirley chose Cremation

Historical Photo:
I labeled this : Somewhere Wisconsin. I might have used it already!

Here goes: 

I love it (NOT) when I delete my own blog entries. LOL I was writing about Cremation. I am not sure if my parents ever discussed or considered it. Growing up I am sure Cremations were done, but not normally by Christians and especially down south.

Most of the reasons given for being ‘against’ cremation was, “It just don’t seem right!” We were raised with ‘wakes’, receiving’s and services with a casket down front. It seemed disrespectful to God’s creation.  Churches, towns and communities had cemeteries for hundreds of years.
 
Burial was reasonable, many times the plots in church cemeteries was basically free (or very cheap) to church members and family. Many people had no insurance for burial, therefore it had to be ‘affordable.’

I did not have a picture of Shirley as a HS Grad, but today I found one. Our first and only family grad.

With Shirl’s death the thought of cremation became real. At the funeral home the person we talked to was required to give us the ‘gory details’ of cremation. I could read the three pages or sign at the bottom. I read some then signed.

It told the average temp for cremation is 1400-1800 degrees F. It takes from 2 to 3 hours for the entire process.

Shirley weighed about 120 lbs. She was reduced to about 3 pounds of ashes. I picked up the ashes, they came in this neat plastic box.

You see a small disk, stamped with the number 4256 (We seem to always be a number). This disk was attached to the Plastic bag holding Shirley’s ashes. The box is 6” wide 4” high and about 8” deep. It came with this certification:

Emotions about cremation run high with some, and a ‘yawn’ from others. Opinions from: ‘It is devil worship’ (not said to me) to ‘This is practical in this day when standard funeral expenses would break many.’ In this area full funeral costs start at  $6000. I think the average is about $10,000  with service, family car and CD of the family pictures. That doesn’t include opening and closing your grave. In Charlotte that alone is $2000. Shirley's cremation was about $1800, actually high, but Shirley named the ones to do it.

I justified  following Shirley’s directions for cremation by saying NOT EVERYONE IS BURIED. We have lost people at sea where they became part of life cycle and eaten by sea creatures. We have had thousands of Christians burned at the stake or eaten by animals. Besides She requested Cremation. 

Me? I think the main part of my body is my soul. It cannot be destroyed. When my sweet sister was cremated, the soul was not there. I’m smiling remembering reading that at concerts, announcements were made such as: “Elvis has left the building.”  Therefore using the same logic, Shirl’s soul had departed the body 3 days before this actual cremation.

I will not argue the final process in handling the human body. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Sherry and I differ on the final disposal. I would prefer burial at sea, she says if she has a say-so I will be buried in Belmont, NC.

As far as her remains, if it is me that is left. She will be buried in Belmont, NC. 

If you have an opinion different than mine, state it. I can handle it. ;-)

Nite Shipslog

 Now, if you don't like this customized Mercury, you ain't cool!  You should be decimated instead of cremated!  LOL