saving energy costs on the dead!!!!!!!! - Page 2

steeljack · 02-07-2007, 16:44

seem to remember there was a bit of a 'to-do' in the Observer a few years back when someone tried to find out what happened to all the precious metals recovered from the Cremains , seems many folks were concerned about the wedding rings which thier loved ones were wearing at time of comittal , (accusations of undertakers and crematoria operators robbing the dead etc.) I think a council spokesperson at the time said that metals recovered were collected and 'weighed -in' and the proceeds went towards the operating costs of the building.

cashman · 02-07-2007, 16:47

they would have to say that really steeljack, dont look good if they said,some of our staff are nicking them.

WillowTheWhisp · 02-07-2007, 16:52

When my loved ones were cremated the rings etc were given to me before hand by the funeral director. I suppose they wouldn't be able to do that with some things like gold teeth though.

From my own point of view I'm not really all that stressed about what happens to the physical remains because the person themselves is no longer there. It did take me a fair while to decide what to do with my late husband's ashes though.

steeljack · 02-07-2007, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

When my loved ones were cremated the rings etc were given to me before hand by the funeral director. .

Yep I suppose that is what maybe should happen , but a lot of people believe that because their spouse (mostly wives I think) wore their wedding ring for 30/40/50 years and never removed it , it should stay with the body as a sign of everlasting love

WillowTheWhisp · 02-07-2007, 17:32

I think I would probably have thought that too if they'd been buried but when you think about it, it's silly really isn't it.

steeljack · 02-07-2007, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

but when you think about it, it's silly really isn't it.

Willow, no way am I going to touch that ,

garinda · 02-07-2007, 17:42

It wouldn't bother me at all.

They can cremate me on a bonfire, if I happen to pop off in early November.

Margaret Pilkington · 02-07-2007, 17:47

Jewellery was returned to us by the undertaker before my Mother-in-law was cremated.......so I guess the only bits of precious metal would be from gold teeth.

Margaret Pilkington · 02-07-2007, 17:55

I think it makes sense to make the best use of resources....and I certainly wouldn't mind being kept for a day or so if the cremation was more economic that way....and as for the ashes.....well, I think that is a symbolic thing.
When we got my Dad's ashes back I didn't for one minute think that they were just his cremated remains.......I always kind of thought that they were the cremated remains of those cremated on that day......the ashes were treated lovingly and they meant something to us. They were scattered lovingly at a place that was special to him......though we also had a laugh and some joviality.
To the dead, it really doesn't matter.....because they have moved on.
It only really matters to those who are left behind.

garinda · 02-07-2007, 18:03

I'd never dream of putting the oven on, for just one jacket spud.

Margaret Pilkington · 02-07-2007, 18:10

Exactly Garinda.....you cook a casserole at the same time don't you?
So why do we all get our drawers in a knot about a sensible use of resources?
Surely we can use the argument of 'Global Warming' too....after all it seems to be used in everything else.

I think it is all about what we do for our loved ones while they are here...... not about how we treat them when they are gone.
I want the flowers while Iam alive.....not when I'm dead and can't see them anymore.

garinda · 02-07-2007, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I think it is all about what we do for our loved ones while they are here...... not about how we treat them when they are gone.
I want the flowers while Iam alive.....not when I'm dead and can't see them anymore.

Happily, my family think that way too. We don't have graves, or memorial stones, just happy memories.

Churchyards may bring comfort, and peace, to some, but not for us. Life's for the living.

Sorry Margaret, that's all they had at the smiley garage.

Margaret Pilkington · 02-07-2007, 18:21

They are lovely Garinda....and it doesn't matter where the flowers come from (well, as long as they were not stolen from a grave or a park)....it is the thought that counts.

Ma will be 80 later this year and so she is a bit pre-occupied with thoughts of meeting her maker. She has left very strict instructions about what is to happen to her. No Cremation until at least 5 days after she has shuffled off the mortal coil...no obituary notices - she reckons that the people who will be most welcome at her send off will be those close enough to know that she 'wasn't well'........no flowers or eulogies. She tells me that if I don't follow her orders she will come back and haunt me

Margaret Pilkington · 02-07-2007, 18:24

Garinda.....Church Yards and headstones are for the living....they are there so that they can go and feel some link with the person who has died.
If only these people realised that the closest link you have with a loved one once they have died, is in your heart.
While ever you remember them their spirit lives on...in you.

garinda · 02-07-2007, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Garinda.....Church Yards and headstones are for the living....they are there so that they can go and feel some link with the person who has died.
If only these people realised that the closest link you have with a loved one once they have died, is in your heart.
While ever you remember them their spirit lives on...in you.

I know what you mean, but without going into details, we know someone who needs to go to the churchyard daily, at the expense of actually getting on with their, and their family's, life in the here and now. Which I think is sad.