Cat Cremation concerns...
Han Glyder
Chelsea on new years morning. Thankfully she went quickly and
peacfully. I took her to a pet crematorium, they said they would
cremate Chelsea the next day and send her ashes to me. My question
is, should the ashes be relatively heavy and massive? She was about
an 8 lb cat, and the ashes they sent fit into a metal
box about 2 inches x 2 inches by 3 inches. The ash looks like ground
up cement and feels as heavy as sand (or ground up cement) would feel
in the same amount.
Maybe I am just paranoid but I would think if you incinerate a cat
there isnt going to be much left but some very light ashes. Of course
the stories from Georgia about HUMAN cremations not being done has me
suspicious now. Hope sombody who knows the process can let me know if
the remains I have are really my cat.
Larry Silkaitis
a little high for an 8 pound cat. I think mine were about 2/3 of what you
got.
--
Larry Silkaitis (Owned by six cats: two grey, one black, white, black and
white, and grey and white)
"Han Glyder" <slug...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9d3f7704.02021...@posting.google.com...
Cathy Friedmann
the first time, either, but it turns out that what you've seen is what you
should get. The ashes aren't uniformly soft & tiny/fragile - there are some
relatively larger pieces in there - as you say, sort of like concrete or
sand particles. I suppose, when one thinks about it, that different sized
bones (of the same animal) are going to yield different ash textures.
Anyway, you can stop worrying; what you received as your cat's ashes sounds
normal, to me.
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
Han Glyder <slug...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9d3f7704.02021...@posting.google.com...
Dom Runner
> Chelsea on new years morning. Thankfully she went quickly and
> peacfully. I took her to a pet crematorium, they said they would
> cremate Chelsea the next day and send her ashes to me. My question
> is, should the ashes be relatively heavy and massive? She was about
> an 8 lb cat, and the ashes they sent fit into a metal
> box about 2 inches x 2 inches by 3 inches. The ash looks like ground
> up cement and feels as heavy as sand (or ground up cement) would feel
> in the same amount.
If it helps, I've visited a Cremation site. Ashes are not really
ashes...after an animal is cremated, the remains of bone are put into a
machine and ground down. So they will be heavier than you'd expect and
there should be alot of them.
I'm sorry to be so blunt in the descripation above, but that is how it is
done. The place I visited was very caring and very careful to make sure
pets were cremated invidividually and that the correct ashes went back to
the right parents.
Sethran
>
Annie Wxill
paranoid but I would think if you incinerate a cat
> there isnt going to be much left but some very light ashes
Hello,
We've had two cats cremated. Both times we got the ashes back in a little
box. Before we had Mac cremated, we actually went to the place that does
it. The woman showed us around and did not hesitate to answer all our
questions. Both times, when she sent the ashes to us, she included a nice
little note.
It was interested to see, when we visited her place, that she also does cat
rescue.
Annie
Alice Cabrera
: Maybe I am just paranoid but I would think if you incinerate a cat
: there isnt going to be much left but some very light ashes. Of course
: the stories from Georgia about HUMAN cremations not being done has me
Yeah I know. If they can get away with that with human cremations, who
says they aren't doing the same with cat cremations?
Tigress
--
The root cause of problems is simple overpopulation. People just aren't
worth very much any more, and they know it. Makes 'em testy. ...Bev
|\ _,,,---,,_ Tigress
/,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ http://havoc.gtf.gatech.edu/tigress
|,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' tig...@havoc.gtf.gatech.edu
'---''(_/--' `-'\_) Cat by Felix Lee.
Darnit7
>news:9d3f7704.02021...@posting.google.com...
>> Has anyone reading this had a cat cremated? I lost a dear pet named
>> Chelsea on new years morning. Thankfully she went quickly and
>> peacfully. I took her to a pet crematorium, they said they would
>> cremate Chelsea the next day and send her ashes to me. My question
>> is, should the ashes be relatively heavy and massive? She was about
>> an 8 lb cat, and the ashes they sent fit into a metal
>> box about 2 inches x 2 inches by 3 inches.
We had our cat cremated. I couldn't bear to look at her ashes at the time, so
my husband put them in an urn. He did say that they weren't a lot of ashes
though. So what you have sounds right.
Lauren
_________
=^..^=
See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/mickey4paws2000
Richard Evans
>Has anyone reading this had a cat cremated? I lost a dear pet named
>Chelsea on new years morning. Thankfully she went quickly and
>peacfully. I took her to a pet crematorium, they said they would
>cremate Chelsea the next day and send her ashes to me. My question
>is, should the ashes be relatively heavy and massive? She was about
>an 8 lb cat, and the ashes they sent fit into a metal
>box about 2 inches x 2 inches by 3 inches. The ash looks like ground
>up cement and feels as heavy as sand (or ground up cement) would feel
>in the same amount.
Yes, I had a cat cremated and the remains fit in a box about this
size.
I also had my father cremated. (Had to. He was dead.) He weighed about
300 pounds and his ashes fit in a container about the size of a
shoebox.
Remember that all living things are about 90% water. When the water's
gone, there's not much left.
That said, I don't know how you'd verify that you actually have cat
ashes, short of a lab test determing they were some other substance. I
doubt you could determine whether they were the ashes of *your* cat
under any circumstances.
Dick Evans
FancyPanz
I didn't know this 'til I worked for a vet (although I had two of my cats
cremated before then.) Owners had a choice of a mass cremation or an individual
cremation (at a higher cost.) Also, for special customers, he gave them a
rememberance of their pet; a clay footprint. He had one of the vet techs take a
piece of clay and take the cat's footprint (usually, the tech deepened the
prints with a pencil to make it look more pronounced). The cat's name and
dob/d were inscribed. After the clay dried, the owner received it. A nice
way of remembering.
Jackie, Princess & Odie
print..it's something I never thought to do when she was alive. It cost a bit more
to have her cremated alone but it wasn't too much (i think $150.00)....and yes, i
too was surprised at the ashes as she weren't what i was expected.
take care - jackie
Barb
and I will be, too. The ashes of my cats were brought to me in a can a
little smaller that a 1 pound can of coffee. We always sprinkled them in
the yard or on the deck that they loved and the ashes were kind of a powdery
consistency but I don't recall any bone-like or cement like clumps. I think
it would depend on the length of time cremating them and any other processes
used. The crematory was very kindly and delivered the little can in a
larger white box with a little dried pink flower on it. I was very touched.
Yes, it's a little stretch of trust as to whether you are actually getting
back your own cat's legitimate remains. I know what's in the news right
now. We had a similar situation at a local pet cemetery near here. But I
truly believe that the spirit has left that body upon death and just kind of
hovers around us for a time. When my Chocolate Puff (a Siamese) died the
smoke detector went of one time that night. A year or so later when his
brother Randy died the same thing happened again! It was amazing.
Barb
Cathy Friedmann
one into account) your own pet's ashes when a private cremation is done. If
you opt for a mass cremation, it depends upon the crematorium & who's in
charge of the actual cremation. In some instances they can place the
animals so that most of your own animal's ashes will be returned to you,
although the ashes may not all be there, &/or you'll receive some ashes from
(an)other animal(s) mixed in, too.
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
Barb <bguz...@suffolk.lib.ny.us> wrote in message
news:YJuc8.1654$T_.1...@iad-read.news.verio.net...
Darnit7
>This is exactly what I got with Spaz (RB) remains..I was quite touched by the
>paw
>print..it's something I never thought to do when she was alive. It cost a
>bit more
>to have her cremated alone but it wasn't too much (i think $150.00)....and
>yes, i
>too was surprised at the ashes as she weren't what i was expected.
>
I had Queenie cremated alone too. But my vet didn't do this pawprinting. Wish
they had.
Darnit7
>When my Chocolate Puff (a Siamese) died the
>smoke detector went of one time that night. A year or so later when his
>brother Randy died the same thing happened again! It was amazing.
>
That IS amazing!!
The Revd Terence Fformby-Smythe
wrote:
I hate to be morbid, but presumably the same process is used in human
cremations?
Cat Protector
there when they perform it so you can make sure that you are getting the
right ashes. I wouldn't trust them to just say they'll send you the ashes
because they could send you the wrong ones or even worse never send them. I
am reminded of a recent story in the news where a funeral home/crematorium
did not send some people the ashes of their relatives and the ones that did
got the ashes from wood chips when they looked inside the urn. What is worse
is that this place stacked bodies outside in the woods and in a nearby shed.
The operators claimed the furnace or whatever they use to cremate bodies
hadn't worked in years. Law enforcement officers were horrified and one said
it reminded them of a Stephen King novel. So before cremating be there for
the precedure. Make sure that it is your cat they are cremating.
--
Cat Galaxy- The Internet radio station for cats. Meow meow meow!!
http://www.live365.com/stations/231353
Real Player and Winamp: 66.28.48.193:10518
The forum for felines everywhere. Join the Cats forum on Delphi
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"Han Glyder" <slug...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9d3f7704.02021...@posting.google.com...
Ron Herfurth
"Darnit7" <dar...@aol.comnolitter> wrote in message
news:20020219123120...@mb-fq.aol.com...
> >From: "Jackie, Princess & Odie" jac...@nospam.com
>
> >This is exactly what I got with Spaz (RB) remains..I was quite touched by
the
> >paw
> >print..it's something I never thought to do when she was alive. It cost
a
> >bit more
> >to have her cremated alone but it wasn't too much (i think
$150.00)....and
> >yes, i
> >too was surprised at the ashes as she weren't what i was expected.
> >
>
> I had Queenie cremated alone too. But my vet didn't do this pawprinting.
Wish
> they had.
> Lauren
There's nothing like having a photo to remember them by, I know since I
don't have a photo of one of them cause I never though he'd go so soon.
I have the ashes of 2 of mine in potted roses on the back deck so they'll be
around forever.
ron herfurth
Darnit7
>I think before you decide to have your cat's ashes cremated that you be
>there when they perform it so you can make sure that you are getting the
>right ashes.
I wonder if they would even allow you to be there during the process.
> I
>am reminded of a recent story in the news where a funeral home/crematorium
>did not send some people the ashes of their relatives and the ones that did
>got the ashes from wood chips when they looked inside the urn.
Yes, that is a horrible story. I think the best thing is to really check out a
crematorium before using them. The one we used came highly recommended and
have an excellent reputation.
Dom Runner
Darnit7 <dar...@aol.comnolitter> wrote in message
> >From: "Cat Protector" catpro...@cox.net
>
> >I think before you decide to have your cat's ashes cremated that you be
> >there when they perform it so you can make sure that you are getting the
> >right ashes.
>
> I wonder if they would even allow you to be there during the process.
Some do. The one I visited has a separate room for viewings with a covered
window that shows the treadmill that leads to the furnace. Pet owners can
view their animal, than it is taken away and if they wish they can have the
window opened and watch as it goes in. They even allow you to see the
remains come out and watch as they were ground up if you really want to be
positive.
I would have no problem trusting Abby Glen to do my pets when they pass.
Sethran
>
>
Cat Protector
be there. Yes it was a terrible story and a lot of people who relatives
there really got screwed. I read people who thought they had the ashes of
their dead relative came to learn that they got wood chip ashes instead. I
don't care how highly recommended a place is. If I have to ever cremate Isis
I want to be there so I know it is her ashes I am spreading and not someone
elses.
--
Cat Galaxy- The Internet radio station for cats. Meow meow meow!!
http://www.live365.com/stations/231353
Real Player and Winamp: 66.28.48.193:10518
The forum for felines everywhere. Join the Cats forum on Delphi
http://forums.delphiforums.com/Felinefrenzy/start
"Darnit7" <dar...@aol.comnolitter> wrote in message
news:20020219180205...@mb-ct.aol.com...
> I wonder if they would even allow you to be there during the process.
Roby
>
(snip)
> I am reminded of a recent story in the news where a funeral home/crematorium
> did not send some people the ashes of their relatives and the ones that did
> got the ashes from wood chips when they looked inside the urn. What is worse
> is that this place stacked bodies outside in the woods and in a nearby shed.
> The operators claimed the furnace or whatever they use to cremate bodies
> hadn't worked in years.
The same sort of greed that fostered the situation in Georgia also has
happened to pets:
http://www.pvmc.net/Publications/PetCemetery/petcemetery.html
Roby
PegNDerek
>>If it helps, I've visited a Cremation site. Ashes are not really
>>ashes...after an animal is cremated, the remains of bone are put into a
>>machine and ground down. So they will be heavier than you'd expect and
>>there should be alot of them.
>I hate to be morbid, but presumably the same process is used in human
>cremations?
Yes, more or less. The major difference is that humans are cremated
at much higher temperatures and for a longer period of time. Modern
cremation retorts also use a lot of pressure (mostly due to sealing in
the heat inside the retort)--it takes about 10-15 minutes to "reduce"
an animal such as a cat or small dog. It takes about 2 hours to
"reduce" a 200 pound human. The remains are located on what is
basically a metal stretcher after they cool and as they come out of
the retort. The stretcher is designed to fold in half length-wise and
the remains are swept into a grinder that "reduces" the material even
further so that it can fit into an urn. What is left is predominantly
bone and fragments of teeth.
In the case of the cremation of my own fatherm (Chapel Hill, North
Carolina 1994), I checked the plastic bag for the remnants of his gold
tooth--it was there. (I also told the Funeral Director that I would
sue him for every nickel he was worth unless it was!! He was polite,
but none to pleased to be dealing with an expert in the field when it
came to making the "deal" for Daddy's burial!!!)
If you choose cremation for the burial of a (human) loved one, please
do not be alarmed if the Funeral Director asks you if the deceased had
a pace-maker. These devices explode during the cremation process and
can cause enormous damage to a retort--it must be removed manually
before the cremation process--at no additional charge!!. Also, do NOT
be tricked into the purchase of a casket prior to cremation--it is not
necessary, but many Funeral Directors know that they can get away with
charging you for extravagant (unnecessary) extras when you are at
their mercy!
Peg Caldwell-Ott
Owner of Amaretto (the diabetic Seal Point Siamese) and Alino, his
Blue Point brother
Forensic Anthropologist, New York City--now in private practice but
formerly of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, NYC
"Scientists' say intelligent life
sprang from the sea.
Really intelligent life returns to
the sea now and then."
Adrian Abbott
differences in our protocol. First of all, I would like to express my
disgust at the conduct of the Tri-State Crematory, Georgia in liht of
the recent discoery of their malpractice. My condoences aso go out to
the families of the deceased.
The British practice in cremation is the envy of the world. Our
stringnt environmental and proceures prior to cremation are unrivalled
by any country on the globe. The cremation rate in the UK is second
only to Japan (98%); around 73% of deaths are followed by cremation.
This is not a poor man's option like in the US, but is accepted as the
norm, making burial an uncommon and dying-out process in this country.
British crematories (crematoria) differ enormously than thos in the
United States. The attendants at the funeral are made a part of the
whole cremation process, up until the point of the handing over of the
coffin to the cremation authority. The crematorium, in all cases,
features a chapel, wich is used for the funeral service prior to the
cremation. Most crematoria give funerals half-hour slots. The coffin
is rested on a platform (a catafalque) during the service. At the
point of commital, the coffin is obscured from view. This can be
attained is many ways: curtains drawing in front of, down on and
around the coffin, the catafalque descending into a recess or the
coffin withdawing from the catafalque.
In the crematory part of the building, the furnaces are housed. These
are not called retorts but cremators or cremation furnaces. Only one
American cremator is in operation in this country, as they are seen to
be of inferior quality. Most crematoria have two or three cremators in
operation. Coffins are never placed into a cold retort. The burners in
the furnace are switched on prior to the first cremation of the day.
An average cremator turns over one cremation in around 80 minutes. The
cremator is stll in operation when the cremated remains are withdrawn.
I understand that in the US, that cremated remains are reduced down by
a machine with blades. In the UK, the cremulator (the processing
machine) ha lead weighted balls in it, which pulverise the remains.
Most cremated remains are scattered in the grounds of the crematorium,
however the burial of cremated remains is increasing in popularity.
Different crematoria offer different types of disposal for cremated
remains.
The fees for the cremation average at about £220 ($350). This usually
includes the use of the adjacent chapel and music facilities.
If anyone has any queries about cremation in the United KIngdom,
please do not hesitate t contact me by e-mail.
Cathy Friedmann
news:26aa8f75.02022...@posting.google.com...
> The British practice in cremation is the envy of the world. Our
> stringnt environmental and proceures prior to cremation are unrivalled
> by any country on the globe. The cremation rate in the UK is second
> only to Japan (98%); around 73% of deaths are followed by cremation.
> This is not a poor man's option like in the US,
Ummmm... cremation is not considered a poor man's option (in the USA),
AFAIK. The people I know who wanted to be/ wish to be when the time comes -
cremated - simply prefer it over a traditional burial, for one reason and/or
another. Some have an aversion to being buried in the ground (& want their
ashes scattered or kept above ground), or feel that too much space is taken
up in cemeteries, etc.
Alice Cabrera
: cremated - simply prefer it over a traditional burial, for one reason and/or
: another. Some have an aversion to being buried in the ground (& want their
: ashes scattered or kept above ground), or feel that too much space is taken
Yep, like me. I want my ashes spread out over Zion Park... or maybe over
PUget Sound. Some area that I really loved basically.
Roby
Mine are going to be buried at the pet cemetery where my cats are/will
be.
Roby
Adrian Abbott
> AFAIK. The people I know who wanted to be/ wish to be when the time comes -
> cremated - simply prefer it over a traditional burial
This is one of the main poits of my argument.
You refer to "traitional burial". We simply do not have "traditional
burial" in England. The practice of either burial or cremation is
embraced in all funerals. The practice of cremation is not seen to
reject the concept of a traditional funeral, but is seen to accompany
it. Neither burial or cremation of the dead is seen to be
"traditional". I have noted that American thinking sees a traditional
funeral to include burial, and that those who require or request
cremation are somewhat radical and forward thinking; this is not the
case in England.
Adrian Abbott
> ashes, short of a lab test determing they were some other substance. I
> doubt you could determine whether they were the ashes of *your* cat
> under any circumstances.
Just toconfirm this theory, it is impossible to assertain the identity
of cremated remains of any animal as all tissue and fluid (which
contains DNA and cell matter) has either been combusted or evaporated
by the intense heat of the retort. This is why in the case of human
cremations, extensive checks are done in regard to identity and cause
of death prior to the cremation. The species of the cremated animal
would be able to be identitfied prior to the cremulation (the
processing of the remains to a fine consistency)
Cathy Friedmann
> > AFAIK. The people I know who wanted to be/ wish to be when the time
comes -
> > cremated - simply prefer it over a traditional burial
>
> This is one of the main poits of my argument.
And my point was that I took exception to your term "poor man's option",
since I haven't seen cremation viewed in that light.
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
>
Adrian Abbott
> Adrian Abbott <AAAbbott...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:26aa8f75.02022...@posting.google.com...
> > > Ummmm... cremation is not considered a poor man's option (in the USA),
> > > AFAIK. The people I know who wanted to be/ wish to be when the time
> comes -
> > > cremated - simply prefer it over a traditional burial
> >
> > This is one of the main poits of my argument.
>
> And my point was that I took exception to your term "poor man's option",
> since I haven't seen cremation viewed in that light.
My interpretation of the American thinking on cremation may not match
your personal view.
I have read and viewed websites of funeral homes in the US and
cremation seems to be universally interprted as an alternaive or
replacement of a traditional funeral. The practice is seen by the
funeral industry as a bypass or rejection of their traditional
services. I was commenting that the English perspective is suprisngly
dissimilar to this. I apologise if my candid comments have caused you
any upset.
Cathy Friedmann
news:26aa8f75.02022...@posting.google.com...
> "Cathy Friedmann" <cl...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:<a58h7a$5ehol$1...@ID-103542.news.dfncis.de>...
> > Adrian Abbott <AAAbbott...@aol.com> wrote in message
> > news:26aa8f75.02022...@posting.google.com...
> > > > Ummmm... cremation is not considered a poor man's option (in the
USA),
> > > > AFAIK. The people I know who wanted to be/ wish to be when the time
> > comes -
> > > > cremated - simply prefer it over a traditional burial
> > >
> > > This is one of the main poits of my argument.
> >
> > And my point was that I took exception to your term "poor man's option",
> > since I haven't seen cremation viewed in that light.
>
> My interpretation of the American thinking on cremation may not match
> your personal view.
Certainly appears that way...
> I have read and viewed websites of funeral homes in the US and
> cremation seems to be universally interprted as an alternaive or
> replacement of a traditional funeral. The practice is seen by the
> funeral industry as a bypass or rejection of their traditional
> services. I was commenting that the English perspective is suprisngly
> dissimilar to this. I apologise if my candid comments have caused you
> any upset.
Well, if you put it to others that your take on cremation in N.A. is that
their wishes concerning their mortal remains are a "poor man's option", I
think - in all reality - it's liable to cause some upset. Esp. when that is
not the reason that many (most??) people choose cremation.
Lyn
> Has anyone reading this had a cat cremated? I lost a dear pet named
> Chelsea on new years morning. Thankfully she went quickly and
> peacfully. I took her to a pet crematorium, they said they would
> cremate Chelsea the next day and send her ashes to me. My question
> is, should the ashes be relatively heavy and massive? She was about
> an 8 lb cat, and the ashes they sent fit into a metal
> box about 2 inches x 2 inches by 3 inches. The ash looks like ground
> up cement and feels as heavy as sand (or ground up cement) would feel
> in the same amount.
>
> Maybe I am just paranoid but I would think if you incinerate a cat
> there isnt going to be much left but some very light ashes. Of course
> the stories from Georgia about HUMAN cremations not being done has me
> suspicious now. Hope sombody who knows the process can let me know if
> the remains I have are really my cat.
Well, if she was individually cremated, this is how it was done:
Kitties are lined up on a platform and then a little brick wall is
built all the way around each of the kitties. A diagram is drawn to
show who is who. The incinerator is fired up, and afterward, each of
the brick "houses" is taken down one by one, and the ashes are swept
up and put into a plastic bag. That bag is then placed in the urn, or
the ashes are poured directly into the urn.
If the urn you have is pretty full, it is enough ashes for an eight
pound cat. It does look exactly like ground up cement.
-L.
Lyn
> Hi, I am writing from a British perspecive here so there mabe some
> differences in our protocol. First of all, I would like to express my
> disgust at the conduct of the Tri-State Crematory, Georgia in liht of
> the recent discoery of their malpractice. My condoences aso go out to
> the families of the deceased.
>
> The British practice in cremation is the envy of the world. Our
> stringnt environmental and proceures prior to cremation are unrivalled
> by any country on the globe. The cremation rate in the UK is second
> only to Japan (98%); around 73% of deaths are followed by cremation.
> This is not a poor man's option like in the US,
Well, in addition to being arrogant, you are insulting. I am far from
poor and would choose cremation in a heartbeat, as have all of my
friends and relatives.
It is a matter of culture, and not finances.
-L.
Lyn
Yes!!! Take TONS of photos, in all stages of their life.
Sadly, the last photos I have of my Mom are from my wedding. I will
never look at those pohotos in quite the same light, ever again.
-L.
Odette Brown
> slug...@yahoo.com (Han Glyder) wrote:
>
>>Has anyone reading this had a cat cremated? I lost a dear pet named
>>Chelsea on new years morning. Thankfully she went quickly and
>>peacfully. I took her to a pet crematorium, they said they would
>>cremate Chelsea the next day and send her ashes to me. My question
>>is, should the ashes be relatively heavy and massive? She was about
>>an 8 lb cat, and the ashes they sent fit into a metal
>>box about 2 inches x 2 inches by 3 inches. The ash looks like ground
>>up cement and feels as heavy as sand (or ground up cement) would feel
>>in the same amount.
>
> size.
>
> I also had my father cremated. (Had to. He was dead.) He weighed about
> 300 pounds and his ashes fit in a container about the size of a
> shoebox.
>
> Remember that all living things are about 90% water. When the water's
> gone, there's not much left.
>
> That said, I don't know how you'd verify that you actually have cat
> ashes, short of a lab test determing they were some other substance. I
> doubt you could determine whether they were the ashes of *your* cat
> under any circumstances.
>
>
>
This is a question I asked the people at the crematorium, do I really
get the ashes of my father ???? They say yes as we always clean after
every one! But we will never know:-)
ob.
--
**** Odette Brown ** I love Cats *****
*** La Belle Province ** Quebec ** CANADA ***
*** http://www.igs.net/~rathey/odette1.htm ***
Adrian Abbott
> their wishes concerning their mortal remains are a "poor man's option", I
> think - in all reality - it's liable to cause some upset. Esp. when that is
> not the reason that many (most??) people choose cremation.
>
> Cathy
If you read the works of the late Jessica Mitford on the subject of
cremation in the US, youwould understand my poin of view. If you look
at the whole situation in N.A. from an outsiders perspective then the
whole picture becomes a lot clearer. I do acknowledge that many people
have ethical and religious reasons for their choice. Funeral homes do,
undoubtbly, present cremation in such a way that it ade to seem
inferior to the thE "tradtional funeral". THAT IS A FACT!
Anyway, I am not saying that I see cremation as a poor man's option
but that American culture sees it that way. That wasthe argument I was
making. No offence had been intended by my candid dissection of
American funereal culture for what it really is!
Julie Manuel
suddenly with no arrangements set up and the family has no option but
to cremate, because of the cost issues. Not everyone is far from poor.
Not everyone can purchase a plot years before they die. The cost of a
funeral and burial is very strapping for some people. Cremation is a
more inexpensive way to do things and for some people, that is the
only choice. I think your opinion is yours and does not speak for the
whole of the population in the United States. For some people, it is a
matter of culture, and for some, it is a matter of cost.
Lyn
Whatever. But FWIW, many "poor" people wouldn't dream of cremating a
loved one, even if they they don't have the money for embalming and
burial, because of religious and cultural reasons. To call cremation
"the poor man's option" *is* insulting because for many, it has no
negative connotations whatsoever, and in fact, is the preferred method
of disposal, regardless of cost.
The actual "the poor man's option" is no "option" at all, because the
truly indigent get a public-funded disposal, either cremation or
burial dependant upon local law.
-L.