Do you have a preference as to cremation or traditional ground burial? Why?
By ctrymuziklvr
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
United States
January 9, 2008 8:17am CST
My Dad wanted to be cremated and made sure he was. I don't know if it had anything to do with his being protestant or if it was just something he wanted. My mother on the other hand insisted for years that she have the traditional burial and of course we did it her way. I know for a fact that it had nothing to do with religion but the ideas she had in her head about cremation. I absolutely want to be cremated and I'm not even sure what the reason is.
All these years that my Dad has been gone when I think about him I remember him the way he was when he was alive and no thoughts of his death come to mind and to me that's a good thing. Now when I think of my mother I think of her in a box, underground, covered with dirt and as gross and horrible as it sounds I think about all the little "creatures" that are in the dirt and all around her. It's just not as comforting a thought as it is with my Dad who's ashes are in a nice urn buried at her head.
Have you given any thought to what you want done with your body when you die? Does it have to do with your religion or your personal feelings.
6 people like this
11 responses
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
9 Jan 08
I want to be cremated. I dont like the thought of what happens after you are buried, and I would rather be returned to the earth in the form of ashes then.. the alternative. It doesn't have to do with my religion on at.. i'm not religious, It's just my personal feelings, and how i have always felt. I believe my hubby is the same way. He would like to be cremated for personal reasons, although i'm sure his reasons are way too graphic for most of us, he tends to have quiet the imagination there that one.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
11 Jan 08
lol....I'm sure your husband has the same ideas that I have but I didn't really mention them trying to be kind to readers of my discussion!
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
17 Jan 08
You can bet I will keep it to myself...lol!!!
1 person likes this
@ganandoplata (814)
• Chile
9 Jan 08
I haven´t thought about it, but almost everyone in my family has been cremated... it must be terrible, or at least sounds like terrible, thinking about your mother down there, as you mention. Also, a good point to make a decision is how often you go to a cementery; my grandfather was traditionally ground buried, and I have gone there like two times in my whole life (hate cementeries). If he was cremated or something else, I guess I would have "visited" a lot more... greetings!
3 people like this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
11 Jan 08
My Dad has been gone for 18 years and I visit his grave weekly without fail. I always bring a red rose and will as long as I can. Now that my mom is with him I will start bringing two roses. I have been to their grave every day since my mom was buried. It might sound morbid but it makes me feel better. I'm sure I will go back to once a week soon.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
9 Jan 08
For me I want to be cremated and put in a jar. I really don't care after that as long as you don't put me in the ground. I don't want to be in the ground at all. I would feel claustrophobic. My friend said won't you feel like that in a jar but the thought that the jar can go anywhere but the ground won't. It isn't a part of my faith or anything, just what I want. My sister wants to be buried by a tree in a box that breaks down quick so she can become part of the earth. I would always respect the wishes of a person the way the want it done.
3 people like this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I like the idea of the tree and the box that will break down quick. I don't like the idea of those caskets that probably last forever.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Jan 08
I want to be cremated. Traditional burials cost too much money. I want a cornerstone ashes repository. That way, my family can put me in part of the garden and come visit when they want or ignore me when they want. The church cemetary is only open certain times of the year. I also want to be near the gardens and woods I walked and worked in. Not in the swamp next to the railroad tracks. I'm surprised people's caskets don't float, it's just filled in swamp.
Traditional burials cost so much money. My family and I don't have very much. Cremation in my area starts at $3,500, but tradtional burials cost $13,500 to start with. That's 10 thousand dollars more.
I want to get a better job and put money aside for that very soon. Take care
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
17 Jan 08
Yes, there is definately a big difference between the two and I think it's so obvious why.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
11 Jan 08
So we do about 500 better on cremation and you do about 3 thousand better on the buriel, but there still is quite a difference.
1 person likes this
@girlgonefishing (2174)
• United States
9 Jan 08
You are going to laugh but, I have very strong feelings about being burried. I have a fear of closed in spaces (thanks to my parents) and I hate the thought of being burried but, I still would rather be burried. My reasoning is that I've went through my whole life trying to be as good as I possibly can so that I won't burn in hell. So...........why burn me? LOL I realize it's cheaper and cleaner and takes up less space and all that other stuff but, I'm against it. I told my husband to not bother buying an expensive casket for me and to just put me in whatever and put me in the ground.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
11 Jan 08
lol...put you in whatever? Maybe he's make his own whatever for you to add a personal touch to the whole thing!
@joyceshookery (2057)
• United States
10 Jan 08
I've told my daughter I want to be cremated. My reason is that it's less expensive. My soul has gone to heaven. The physical body will no longer have any meaning. Cemeteries are here for the people still living. They visit their loves ones and somehow it comforts them. it's their choice.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I can't tell you why but yes, visiting the grave of a loved one is very comforting ....to me anyway.
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
10 Jan 08
Being a Hindu, I would be cremated off course! Saves a lot of space, though the polluting factor is there. But for those who have to be buried, the best I think is to cremate the body and bury the ashes. Its definitely personal though, the way you have been brought up and family values. But I think the basic idea of burial was to fertilize the land with organic matter…am I correct or talking crap?
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
10 Jan 08
I think i would want to be cremated and my ashes put into a urn and buried back in New Zealand with the rest of my family. All my relatives follow the traditional way of being buried in a coffin but I'm thinking being cremated will suit me just fine.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
30 Jan 08
I desire to be buried... for several reasons but religious reasons top the list.
I believe the Christian body to have once housed the Holy Ghost and as such it should respected...
Rubbish is burned, treasures are buried - even a dog will bury his bone.
As a Catholic my conscience would not permit me to agree with cremation.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
10 Jan 08
I am sure that thinking about your mom in this way is because it is still very new. Give it time. I am sure that will pass. I haven't really given the matter much thought. My husband and I have discussed this once or twice. I think I would want to be buried next to him. But my parents are still living. Could turn out differently for me as the years pass. My whole family is buried. Great and great great. They are all in the same cemetery. Could be I will follow tradition.
@sassygirlanne007 (4517)
• United States
10 Jan 08
personally I want to be cremated. I just like that idea better then being barried in the ground. But for all I know my opinion may change over time.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
11 Jan 08
I'm willing to bet your opinion won't change over time. The more you think about it the better you will feel. If only because it's much cheaper for the family left behind.
