We'll Meet Again

@p1kef1sh (45681)
November 26, 2008 8:21am CST
Some of you may know that my idea of fun is to guide people round part of my local 750 year old cathedral. A perk of this is that I get to attend lectures about a manner of things architectural, social and ecclesiastical. Today I attended one about the way the English have treated the subject of death over the past 800 years or so. As I left I got talking to an elderly lady who asked me if, when my time comes - I don't have date yet if you were wondering - would I want to be buried with my ancestors. I had a good think about this and concluded that I am not too bothered. But I know many who are - in fact members of my own family spanning almost 200 years are buried in the same vault. Do you feel strongly that you want to be buried next to family - i.e. parents, grandparents etc?.
6 people like this
19 responses
@riyasam (16556)
• India
26 Nov 08
i have no such wish but i know of my grandmmother,whose body had to be taken by flight (2 hours)to be buried next to grandfather.we had to honour her wish.
1 person likes this
@riyasam (16556)
• India
26 Nov 08
me too .that is why we went through all the trouble.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
I am a firm believer in honouring last wishes if possible.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
26 Nov 08
Well, since I don't know where one side of my family is buried and there's no room left at the other side's, except a plot for my uncle when he goes, and besides, that's in New Jersey and I'm in Texas. And my dad gave his body to science and my mom's planning that too... So, I can't be buried next to them... I don't really feel I need to be buried with family, but I'm also not sure I want to be buried - I kindda liked that natural place you talked about, I looked up and found some in Texas, but none in the Austin area. so, I'm not sure just yet what I wanna have done...
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
The woodland burial sounds a nice place to go to. I'm sure that it is only a matter of time before the sites are all over the country Elic.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
26 Nov 08
I hope so, it sounds like a good way to go.
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
26 Nov 08
I have chosen to be cremated. Most of my family is buried in the ground and some of them are in vaults. My husband wants to save some of my ashes, and I his also. I would like some of my ashes spread by my family too, that is buried.
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@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
That sounds an interesting way to be with each other after you are gone Steph and also to share with other family members.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Nov 08
I would want to be buried next to my family, most of my family is buried in the same area which is good. about a twenty minute drive from where I live. It's a small cemetary surronded by fields and a few houses, with a excellent view of the mountains.
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@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
A tomb with a view. Sounds lovely. I love the mountains.
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@gemini_rose (16264)
26 Nov 08
No, for a start I would have to go all the way to Manchester to be buried with the majority of them or Swindon my family are all over the place! My main family were all cremated in different places so there is only the odd plaque for them. My hubby will be buried with his family in his town, it is not my town and I dont want to be buried with him. I will be cremated and thrown to the wind and then I can go wherever I like.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
Scattered to the four winds. Sounds lovely Gemini.
1 person likes this
• Australia
27 Nov 08
I'd donate my body to science if I thought they'd have it. Instead, no, just a quick cremation, no service because I'm not religious. To be honest, I have no idea where my family is buried, we were estranged nearly 20 years ago. But even if we hadn't been, I've never understood the emotion behind burial ceremonies and traditions of this kind. Ashes to ashes, and that'll do me for sentiment. Lash
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Jan 09
Wow,in the same vault that is good. means you can visit alot of them without having to hop around searching for them. My family whom have passed is basically scattered pretty much. I would however like to be buried when my time comes nest to my husband if he should die before me. Other wise I should like to find a plot so that we could be buried side by side.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Okay, I actually think that people should be buried side by side if that is their choice is to be buried and not cremated. So that if they have kids or family they won't be running here and there just to visit mom and dad...they can do it in one trip and it makes them feel better knowing they can visit them together. In my opinion anyhow..
@p1kef1sh (45681)
17 Jan 09
I can visit them Becky, but it's a 120 mile journey to do it! I didn't go up once in 2008. I am quite surprised at myself. The Boss and I want different things so I doubt that we'll end up together bodily. But spiritually of course; that's a different matter.
• United States
27 Nov 08
My family and ancestors are all buried in Scotland so that would be impossible. Although a friend who goes to play golf in Scotland every year did offer to take my ashes and scatter them there for me.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Nov 08
I guess that is always a possibility. Reminds me of the priest and golf pro who played against one another. The pro kept missing the hole and every time that he did so he said "D@mn and blast, I missed". Eventually the priest said, "If you say d@mn and blast once more, God will send a lightening blast to strike you down". "I'm sorry Father" said the Pro, "I'll curb my language". However, at the next hole he missed again. Without even thinking he exclaimed "D@mn and blast, I missed". At that moment the skies darkened, a terrible roll of thunder crashed overhead and a huge lightening bolt came down and vaporized the priest! A voice from above shouted in anguish "D@amn and blast, I missed"!!
• United States
27 Nov 08
• India
27 Nov 08
Hi Pikey, I don't want to be buried. When I was a kid, grandfather broke to me the bad news that I am going to die one day and they would bury me. I burst into tears!! I still don't want to be buried. I am claustrophobic. What will be my fate in the grave? Such a small confined space! And I hate worms. They will eat away my flesh, and at the time of the Second Coming, I will be a mere skeleton. How horrible that would be!! Hehehehe... that's why I have donated my body to the medical college. I hope some cute handsome boys will use it to study anatomy. Cheers and happy mylotting
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
27 Nov 08
Not possible. I have no idea where any of my relatives are buried either here or in England and I really do not care. I had my mother cremated and she was scattered in her garden which is one place she loved. I have no interest in what happens to me when I die as this is only a shell and once my spirit has moved on it will be a meaningless shell.
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
28 Nov 08
Oh I am not going anywhere in a hurry. My shell will only be meaningless when I am no longer in it. Until then it is a wonderful shell that cares for my spirit.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Nov 08
Well if you could hang onto the meaningless shell for a little longer as I like talking to her!!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
26 Nov 08
Hey you aren't talking about Salisbury Cathedral are you? I loved that cathedral! Anyway, my ancestors are scattered all over creation and I don't particularly care where I am buried,scattered or whatever.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
i am talking about Salisbury Dawn. Come on over and I'll take you round!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
26 Nov 08
Don't know when I'll be getting over there again but I would love to! :-)
• United States
30 Nov 08
I never really thought too much about it. To me, it doesn't really matter, since it is only a body in the ground, and the part of me that is using this body will join the others gone before, anyway. I suppose it would be easier for those who wish to visit family graves to have one place to go, but I know how many times I have visited family members' grave sites, so I can't see where it would make a lot of difference where I was buried.
• United States
30 Nov 08
I suppose that some day, a few hundred years from now, some family member might want to visit an ancestoral burial grounds for historic reasons, but that is why we keep written family records, and stories, and such. Besides, our family is so scattered around the country that it would be silly to try to get everyone buried in the same area.
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
19 Jan 09
It is always comforting to be among family members, lol, even if you can't feel anything anymore (knock on wood). But of course those who will be in charge have all the authorization to place me where they see deem. It would be okay , as my body would be then a useless shell which would eventually be reduced to dust. My true essence would be somewhere in another form because energy (soul) could never die but only transformed. happy mylotting.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
19 Jan 09
I hope that is the case for us all Jen. But if not, that's OK too. It's not like we have any say in the matter!
@camomom (7535)
• United States
26 Nov 08
My mom, sister and I are very close and Yes, I think I'd like to be buried close to them. I'd like for my family and friends, as well as theirs, to be able to come visit us all at one time. I guess it wouldn't really matter if it didn't happen because I believe that our bodies are just a shell of who we are and our souls move on once we pass, but I'd still like to be buried near them. I'd also like my sig. other and children to be near me when their time comes.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
26 Nov 08
Me too.
• United States
27 Nov 08
My thing is i don't want to be buried in the ground, and being put in a vault doesn't sound much better to me. I don't want people to have to bother to tend my grave when i am gone, or feel obligated to visit and leave flowers to an empty shell. I want to be cremated and have my ashes scattered.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Nov 08
I can easily understand that feeling and have felt that way myself. I have always wanted to be cremated and my ashes scattered into the sea. However, more recently I am quite attracted by the idea of a woodland burial.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
26 Nov 08
no, just my hubby. hes in an urn and when i go i'll be cremated like him and ashes put with his. then perhaps someone will spread us in las vegas
@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
That sounds interesting and romantic Bunnybon. That must have been a favourite place for you both.
@sweetie1026 (1718)
• Philippines
27 Nov 08
As a matter of fact, we do have these garden lots in our memorial park. It was my mom who was first buried there but then to be able to make it easy on our part, we had the remains of our grandparents to be transferred there too. So, now we only go to one memorial park instead of two, buried with my mom there are my grandparents from my father, my mom, my sister, my aunt, my baby brother and even my father's grandparents. We got a bigger lot so, when it is time for us we will all be buried in one place and be a family again in that life.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
27 Nov 08
That sounds good Sweetie. All of you together.
26 Nov 08
Hi p1key, I am not too bothered, and I would rather be cremated and my ashes to be sprinkled in the forest, because I love the woodlands and feel with one with nature. I hate being buried, I don't like worms. YUK!!!! Hugs. Tamara
@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
Me neither Tamara but I figure that I won't really be there. XX
• United States
26 Nov 08
well i would like to be buried by my parents only if i wasn't married. but if i was married then i would want to be buried next to my husband.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
26 Nov 08
I think that many of us would like that. Thank you.