Stick with The G, K! She's clearly a good barometer!

SummerBee said: I wholeheartedly agree...but not with stiffing the funeral home. They are doing "God's work" and are often some of the most compassionate and helpful people you will ever come across especially in your loved ones' time of need (and if they're not...go somewhere else!).
I personally would rather have my arrangements made and paid for ahead of time. Some of my family members did this and it was such a relief for them as well as everyone else.
Green burials are also becoming more popular these days. A lot more affordable and I think the "organic" aspect is becoming more appealing. 💚

I do understand the point you're trying to make, Charley. Bearing witness to generosity, especially your own, is always good for the soul.

SummerBee, I agree wholeheartedly. But let me tell you about Mom's experience. My Dad died pretty suddenly, only 22 days after he was diagnosed with stage 4, metastasized gallbladder cancer, and just not long after Michael Jackson died. My parents were working on their final plans within a few months prior, but they hadn't gotten to picking out plots and funeral plans yet. So my grieving Mother was in a tailspin having to arrange all this, and the director decided to talk shop with her and DB#1 about Michael Jackson's casket being gold (in one way or another. I don't remember or care really). Mom didn't appreciate that at all. DB on the other hand found it very interesting and he couldn't figure out why it upset Mom so much. The difference between men and women! (no offense guys, I do love y'all )

Zoia, those windows are stunning!! Nice shots!

Expensive funeral arrangements are for the living. I sure won't care after I'm dead. If any survivors want to pay for a fancy funeral, they can have at it! (In reality, I have no kids, my husband knows me too well, and my close friends have too little money and too much common sense to do anything of the sort.) Just feed my ashes to the flowers...

Wasn't Michael Jackson frozen? 🤔🥶 Thanks for sharing, Dana! I have definitely had some similar experiences where I've had to speak up about some things.

I feel very fortunate that my family had great experiences with a couple of local family-run funeral homes. They treat you like family and don't push expensive extras etc. Several family members eventually chose cremation. I think it's become a lot more accepted these days, for many reasons. I honestly wouldn't care for a big show when I'm dead either. My inner circle is small (and only getting smaller). Before I was born there was a sudden death in my family and that encouraged others to get their affairs in order.
I've never been one that cared to be the center of attention. The whole thing makes me uncomfortable. I also know how hard it is for a lot of people to show up to these types of services for one reason or another. 😩

That is true.
After witnessing so many begging Go Fund Me links for funerals, I recently wondered if funerals were actually necessary at all?

I have never been an extrovert so do not need anyone to get together and remember me. They can do that by themselves. But people do like to share stories and memories of departed ones and funerals (or wakes anyhow) allow that coming together part. As was said, funerals are for the living so it is not really up to the ones who go.

My dad asked if he could have his body donated to a medical school, so we can skip all the nonsense.

He is still here, but I have heard bad things from medical students who are learning anatomy and how disrespectful many can be to the cadavers. I am honestly not sure about that.

I bet we'd all be shocked at how many cremains are left abandoned at funeral homes....pretty sad.⚱️

I know of someone who donated their brain 🧠 (always wanted to use this emoji 🤣) to medical science (Alzheimer's study). They died fairly young from the disease. Nice that they wanted to try to help future generations.

I can only imagine what medical staff say and do when anyone is under anesthesia for a procedure so I sure as hell wouldn't care what happened if I were dead. Maybe it'd actually be your dad having "the last laugh", Orion. Think of it that way. 😉 I am a bit of a control freak which is why I appreciate the pre-planning aspect. My only wish currently is NO photo if there's any obituary published. 😎 I have been close to losing someone suddenly (luckily they survived!) and even that has not gotten them to share what their final wishes would be. Frustrating, to say the least. But I guess they must really not care...

DraDiana said: Expensive funeral arrangements are for the living. I sure won't care after I'm dead. If any survivors want to pay for a fancy funeral, they can have at it! (In reality, I have no kids, my husband knows me too well, and my close friends have too little money and too much common sense to do anything of the sort.) Just feed my ashes to the flowers...

I agree wholeheartedly, have already told younger daughter I want my ashes scattered in my daylily gardens. My Mom and brother still visit my Dad and Grandparents' graves several times a year. They clean the grave markers, put on wreaths, flowers, etc. I know this is a measure of respect, however for the life of me I don't understand why a:) the cemetery doesn't take care of the markers; that should be part of the price one pays; b:) when my Mom has always said she wants her flowers while she's living, not after she's dead, they continue to place flowers on the graves. Has anyone priced floral arrangements lately? And yes, I send my Mom flowers multiple times per year so that she has them while she's living. I have no intention (though I haven't expressed this) of putting flowers on graves after she's gone. Especially since flowers are only permitted on the graves for a certain length of time, then they're collected and dumped. Some cemeteries now only permit artificial arrangements so they don't have to collect and dispose of real ones. In my view, this is all a bit crazy!

Time, better this way;


Austin Kleon

Charley

"You might be right", Charley! 💖

How awful that she has to share her private health information because people just can't mind their own business. I get the concern but jeez...give her a break. People should be able to share or not share whenever they like, no matter what position they are in (public figure or not). Just my 02. I was wondering about her condition like most others. Sad to learn it's worse than I thought. Luckily she does seem to be okay (physically).

https://people.com/kate-middle...

plasko20 said: I have heard bad things from medical students who are learning anatomy and how disrespectful many can be to the cadavers. I am honestly not sure about that.

We had a nut in my medical school who had grown up near the Suez canal and scavenged the dead soldiers' bodies for valuables after the battles were over at the tender age of 13. Needless to say, when all our cadavers' gold fillings disappeared one night, I had NO DOUBT who was responsible.

What a creep.
And this is why they advise against bringing any valuables with you to the hospital.

Everything okay, Ginny? @Legalily
How's Meesha doing the last couple of days?

Also wondering about you, Dianne! Busy time again? @adknative

She's ok, SummerBee.

Thanks Linda! 💞
Any update on Margaret?

Margaret is still coughing a lot and feeling lousy but has finished her medicine so hopefully she will start healing.

Coughing is the worst. You don't realize how annoying it is until you develop a cough again. 😣 Hopefully she'll have a full recovery. 🙏🏻 Thanks for letting us know. 💝