Arranging a funeral yourself

@Auntylou (4264)
Oxford, England
December 9, 2015 7:47pm CST
I listened to an inspiring radio talk where a woman describes how she decided to organise her 8 year old son's funeral herself. Virginia Prifti's son started to become ill at the age of seven with a rare genetic disease called Adrenoleucodystrophy (ALD) and were told that it was terminal. He died at home on a Friday and his sister was out for that night, so his mum and dad carried him upstairs and thinking about rigor mortis, dressed him in his favourite clothes. Having spoken to a funeral director who was completely unenthusiastic about an eco funeral, trying to push her into buying an expensive oak coffin, she decided that maybe she could do it better. They were all a bit scared of the boy's body, and his sister slept at a friend's house for two nights but then she spent time with her friends playing in her brother's room with his toys, stroking his face and doing his hair and covering his bed in rose petals. They bought a wicker coffin online, filled it with Leylandii leaves and herbs and friends put in flowers. The family found it a very healing process. What do you think? Could you do something similar?
Three listeners describe their experience of living with the genetic condition albinism.
26 people like this
14 responses
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
10 Dec 15
It takes a great deal of love and courage to do something like that.
7 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
10 Dec 15
I am not sure if I would be brave enough
5 people like this
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Dec 15
@Auntylou Me either.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
10 Dec 15
I think it is pretty much what our ancestors did, my mother remebers being brought in to kiss her mother goodbye, she was only 4. My grandmother way laid out at home. Would I do it, probably not but it is very touching.
4 people like this
• Preston, England
10 Dec 15
beautiful idea and a great to personalize the service
3 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
10 Dec 15
I liked the way they laid the boy on leaves and flowers they had gathered
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471255)
• Switzerland
10 Dec 15
We could not even if we would, this is against the laws here, for sanitary reasons.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218464)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Dec 15
Not something I'd do.
3 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
12 Dec 15
I think its a lovely idea, I don't want to be in a pretty box buried in the ground. I didn't even know they had ones that will just disappear..eventually. I've decided to be cremated and my ashes spread by my family. Not buried.
2 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
12 Dec 15
My family have always gone for cremations, but I love the way Jamaican people do burials , with lots of singing and family and friends filling the grave with all the dirt. So am undecided.
2 people like this
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
12 Dec 15
I don't think I could - it takes more guts than I have.
2 people like this
@vandana7 (100214)
• India
1 Jan 16
A few moments longer with the loved one helps perhaps. We too have elaborate procedure. Sad..we have come up with customs that don't consider the human angle.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Dec 15
I couldn't, I think that would be creepy, yet I believe some cultures do this and is a normal way of grieving for them.
1 person likes this
@ricki_911 (21625)
• Toronto, Ontario
2 Jan 16
I don't know if I could do this. Also, the health risks that are brought up with having the body around.
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
4 Jan 16
Yes, I wondered if the body was kept cool in any way or had been embalmed, and wouldn't fancy doing this in a hot climate
@jstory07 (139523)
• Roseburg, Oregon
11 Dec 15
I can imagine the love that they felt for that child.
2 people like this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
13 Dec 15
People should be allowed to do this. As someone with experience in the business, it is that indeed-a business.
2 people like this
@mom210 (9117)
• United States
12 Jan 16
This is a beautiful idea, I am not sure if I could do it, hope I never have to decide.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9117)
• United States
14 Jan 16
@Auntylou One of my family members has buried two husbands and a daughter. Her life has been filled with such pain, but you could never tell by looking at her, she seems happy enough. I am not sure I would be able to be like that. She is such a tough lady though
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
14 Jan 16
@mom210 It is amazing how resilient some people can be. I might have despaired
1 person likes this
@Gabugs (1895)
• United States
12 Dec 15
I commend the family for their resilient spirit @auntylou But I probably wouldn't be able to withstand it emotionally.
2 people like this