Taking Advantage of the Dead and Mourning? — Page 2

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#26

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/20/06 at 8:08pm

Although I personally find this tacky, I wanted to offer a different perspective on this.

This is hardly a new idea. The practice of burying loved ones in a coffin representative of a hobby, unfulfilled wish, favorite animal, etc. has been common in Ghana for over 50 years. I think this new product is just a slightly more subtle take on it.

From the Ghana website:

"Hordes of tourists, especially Americans, come every day to gawk at unusual coffins, ranging from brightly coloured luxury cars, planes, butterflies, lobsters, shoes, peppers and coconuts to hoes and shovels in Nungua. When Ghanaian coffinmaker Ata Owoo's grandmother died more than five decades ago, he started a trend that turned the dusty little town of Nungua into one of the country's main tourist attractions. Joseph Tetteh Ashong, who was taught the craft by one of Owoo's earliest apprentices, said: "Owoo's grandmother had never left the village. So he decided to shape her coffin like an aeroplane. That solitary coffin in 1950 was to spawn a cottage industry in Nungua and the nearby town of Teshie, both lying between the capital city Accra and the country's main port city of Tema. Orders come in from the US and Europe. In Europe, it is mainly from France and Germany."

Good link about the Ghana art coffins

Updated On: 10/20/06 at 08:08 PM

#27

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/20/06 at 8:09pm

The second picture kind of reminds me of the sportscar bed I had as a kid.

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

#28

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/20/06 at 9:15pm

Elphaba, I'm with you. What people spend their money on is their decision.

This coffin thing doesn't bother me-we all have our priorities where our money goes. If having that coffin makes someone happy for their "next destination", then fine with me.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#29

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 12:33am

This from a funeral site:
The typical funeral with burial is about $7,000. A typical funeral with cremation, about$5,000. Immediate cremation, $1,000

Somms, your post reminds me of the old adage regarding the hiring of contractors to do renovation or upgrades on your house: "Whatever they quote you, it will cost twice as much and take twice as long."

My mom died and was cremated over 10 years ago. The funeral parlor bill was $8,000. It didn't include the mausoleum or lots of other things. And as I have mentioned, I went for the scaled-down "package."

Calvin, I think Roseanne had it right.

Joe, I do believe some people want to "make it up" to their loved ones. it sure is a lot easier to buy them an expensive coffin as a "going away gift" than it is to try to "work through your relationship issues" while they're living!

Erika, I am aware of the Ghana practice, but I still think it's silly.

Moonie, I assume there was no pun intended in your sentence "My brother's comment: "I don't know whether to be pleased or appalled."

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

#30

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 12:37am

Those prices are bull, by the way. Direct cremation should cost maybe $200 or $300 tops. They're charging you for an expensive box that they put the body in and subsequently incinerate. There are cheaper versions of that box (which no one will see anyway) but they just don't advertise it.

#31

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 12:42am

Yes Calvin-my mother told me she wants to be cremated in order to spare the expense of the funeral for me. I mean, for her.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#32

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 12:45am

I totally missed SOMMS' post. It sounds kinda like one of those MasterCard commercials.

Typical funeral with burial: $7,000
Typical funeral with cremation: $5,000
Immediate cremation: $1,000
Pauper's burial: priceless

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

Updated On: 10/21/06 at 12:45 AM

#33

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 12:46am

Wait a minute-hold the presses- For those who can't afford the good stuff, I believe Costco sells coffins!

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#34

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 12:47am

Calvin, I did read (way, way after my mother's death) that funeral parlors are required by law to accept whatever coffin you buy...no matter where you get it from. (Costco has a line of caskets, for example.)

There are a lot of things regarding funerals that the "average person" doesn't know about because, let's face it, like any of the other "unpleasant" realities of life, people don't want to about it until they have to.

So...are the "professionals" taking advanatage of the vulnerable or are consumers at fault for not educating themselves about their options? I suggest it's both.

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

#35

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:16am

Wait a minute... I've always wanted to be cremated. (Well, by always wanted I mean when I die. I don't sit around thinking "Man, wouldn't it be fun to be cremated today?") After cremation I want my ashes scattered around an area of personal signifigance to me preferably during a large party with lots of music, food, and drinks. Not unlike the Hand Me The Wine And The Dice scene from Aspects of Love, but without the ALW score. Obviously I won't need an urn or headstone, but do you actually have to buy a coffin for the cremation itself? Can't they just... burn me? That sounds like an expense that I'd much rather have go to the food or booze.

And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."

#36

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:24am

I don't think you do. I don't want to sound crude, but I think they place you in the cremation chamber on a slab or something. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#37

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:36am

How about a pine box? They are cheapo.

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

Updated On: 10/21/06 at 01:36 AM

#38

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:36am

Regarding burial, cremation, coffin/no coffin, and so forth:

Again, there are LAWS...and I certainly don't know them all, nor do I know if they vary from state to state, but I assume they do.

WW and SM2, you are highly entertaining!

I believe that being able to discuss and laugh at death to be very healthy.

Jane, we posted the "Coffins by Costco" comments about the same time. Eeeeerie!

Remember TRAILER PARK: "I am a card-carrying member of Costco!"

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

#39

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:37am

"Jane, we posted the "Coffins by Costco" comments about the same time. Eeeeerie! "

I thought the same thing!

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#40

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:38am

I always thought a slab was the case.

Sure pine boxes are cheapo, but a pine slab ought to be 3/4 cheaper than that when you do the math.

And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."

#41

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:41am

ACCORDING TO WIKIPEDIA:
"A body to be cremated is first placed in a container for cremation, which can be a simple corrugated cardboard box or a wooden casket. Most casket manufacturers provide a line of caskets specially built for cremation. Another option is a cardboard box that fits inside a wooden shell designed to look like a traditional casket. After the funeral service the interior box is removed from the shell before cremation, permitting the shell to be reused.

Funeral homes may also offer rental caskets, which are traditional caskets used only for the duration of the services, after which the body is transferred to another container for cremation. Rental caskets are sometimes designed with removable beds and liners, replaced after each use.

In Australia, the deceased is cremated in a coffin supplied by the undertaker. Reusable or cardboard coffins are unknown. If cost is an issue, a plain, particle-board coffin known in the trade as a 'chippie' will be offered. Handles (if fitted) are plastic and approved for use in a cremator. Coffins vary from unfinished particle board (covered with a velvet pall if there is a service) to solid timber. Most are veneered particle board."

IT FURTHER STATES:
"Cremators are a standard size. Large cities will have access to an oversize cremator that can handle deceased in the 200+ kg range. However, the morbidly obese cannot be cremated and must be buried."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremation

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

Updated On: 10/21/06 at 01:41 AM

#42

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:45am

So much for my slab theory...

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#43

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:47am

I CAN CREMATED IN CARDBOARD????

Screw the funeral home. Box me up already - Pass those savings along to the caterer!

And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."

#44

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:48am

If you're going to be "simply" cremated -- no wake, no funeral, no ritual -- that's one thing, but when you have to "preserve the body" for days, prepare it for viewing, and so forth, then there are laws regarding health issues that kick in.

My husband's grandmother (whom I just saw about 2 hours ago) is 103, and she says, "I have donated my body to the University of Michigan, so when I die, no one has to worry about the body. And maybe it will help someone someday." That woman is ALWAYS thinking of others. I'm serious.

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

#45

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 1:50am

"Pass those savings along to the caterer." Now there's a person who thinks about "others"! WW, you're probably going to outlive everyone, just like Grandma Ida!

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

#46

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 2:03am

I guess I'm going to die young.

I don't want to live past 30 anyway...

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

#47

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 2:06am

I don't want to live past 30 anyway...

You didn't really just post that, did you? As someone over 30, I can tell you, my life's better now than it was when I was in my 20's.

#48

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 2:07am

"you're probably going to outlive everyone, just like Grandma Ida!"

Possibly, but even if I go young my plans remain unchanged. Scrimp and save as much as possible on my removal and focus that money on my memorial party. I'd much rather be remembered that way. Who's going to see a buried coffin? How many people are going to visit a decorative urn? Make it a blowout, and everyone who attends is going to remember it for a lifetime.

As for your husband's grandmother, I applaud her. Prior to my cremation, I want every usable thing from my being to be harvested. If you can use my near-sighted eyeballs take them. If you can use my much-abused liver and kidneys take them as well. Bone marrow? Have at. If anything I leave behind in this world can be of any use or service to anyone else in this world take it. I long to be cremated and scattered in a big party, but if my intact skeleton would be of more use to a science department in a university, take that as well. The memorial party I plan in my mind can happen just as easily without my scattered ashes, so if it serves a greater good use it without apology.
ETF - unruly commas.
This book went a long way in forming that opinion.

And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."

Updated On: 10/21/06 at 02:07 AM

#49

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 2:08am

SM2, don't even THINK that way! You're a very considerate person (from what I know of you anyway). You may give Grandma Ida a run for her money!

"Be on your guard! Jerks on the loose!"

http://www.roches.com/television/ss83kod.html

**********

"If any relationship involves a flow chart, get out of it...FAST!"

~ Best12Bars

#50

re: I see dead sports fans!

Posted: 10/21/06 at 2:12am

miss p: I could use the money.

erika: That would be cosmic irony.

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

Updated On: 10/21/06 at 02:12 AM

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