Great idea; but my husband is too old--the local med schools don't want a 98+year old cadaver. And if one weighs less than 100 pounds, even if a school previously agreed to take a body, they will refuse it.
Well, you surprised me again...and I love it. My husband and I have been meaning to put this particular issue to bed and looking into this might just give us the nudge we need. Thank ya, Sir.
My wife received a green burial last November at the Larkspur Conservation cemetery located on land owned by the Nature Conservancy near Gallatin, TN. Family gathered at the prepared site, we lowered her pine coffin into the ground, filled it with dirt, covered it with pine straw and finally threw flower petals over the grave. It was beautiful. It was not sad. I have arranged to be put by her when my time comes.
I am so amazed! For some time I have thought about this subject, after several friends and/or family were cremated. I always thought, for myself, NO embalming, NO expensive coffin, maybe just me in a pine box or something, so I could return to the earth. Of course I figured there would probably be rules and regulations for that. Then I got this completely unexpected message from you! Thank you so much!
Thanks, Jim. My late wife and I made our end-of-life plans a couple decades ago, when green burials were hardly noted and were discouraged, at least here in Iowa. But your comments provide a service: if nothing else, at least begin to plan for your life's end. Could include body, organ or brain donation; cremation, coffin, or now green; things wanted in any memorial/funeral service OR even if you don't want any service, religious or otherwise. Thanks for making more people aware of the importance of planning for end-of-life "stuff."
Thank you for the timely reminder (we are in our 80's) that there are better ways to return to Mother Earth. We have known about Honey Creek Woodlands, located on the grounds of a Trappist monastery in Conyers, Ga, for some time, but like too many of us, have been procrastinating. It sounds like a beautiful solution and so much more comforting for the loved ones than the traditional ways.
The problem is that "green burial" is not legal in all states. There are many states that have no authorized space given over for same, as sensible as it is. A large part of that problem is the very powerful funeral directors' lobbies. As in all good ideas, it is the money that matters.
I'm leaving my body to science - specifically, the Ohio University School of Osteopathic Medicine (as an OU alumnus myself). I have a couple of deceased friends who also left their bodies to science. And I'm aware that former Ohio Governor John Gilligan left his body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
On the donation form, I wrote that I wouldn't even mind if the students used me for a few fraternity pranks. Gotta have the last laugh.
Oh, you have just put one of my own concerns to rest (pun not intended). I've made out my will, and made arrangements for donations to science, but I have been fearing someone interfering with my wishes to NOT be buried in a cemetery or worse, CREMATED, Seems I saw a report on this type of "disposal of remains", possibly on 60 Minutes or some other reporting show quite a few years back, but I only heard of it that one time and believed "Oh, this will never fly." So glad to know it is flying and I've got my solution solved. So, Jim, I thank you.
I have donated my body to science, as did my husband. Science may learn something from it.
OHSU in Oregon is grateful.
I didn't realize there were so many people who think as I do; that a body is a terrible thing to waste.
Great idea; but my husband is too old--the local med schools don't want a 98+year old cadaver. And if one weighs less than 100 pounds, even if a school previously agreed to take a body, they will refuse it.
Well, you surprised me again...and I love it. My husband and I have been meaning to put this particular issue to bed and looking into this might just give us the nudge we need. Thank ya, Sir.
My wife received a green burial last November at the Larkspur Conservation cemetery located on land owned by the Nature Conservancy near Gallatin, TN. Family gathered at the prepared site, we lowered her pine coffin into the ground, filled it with dirt, covered it with pine straw and finally threw flower petals over the grave. It was beautiful. It was not sad. I have arranged to be put by her when my time comes.
I am so amazed! For some time I have thought about this subject, after several friends and/or family were cremated. I always thought, for myself, NO embalming, NO expensive coffin, maybe just me in a pine box or something, so I could return to the earth. Of course I figured there would probably be rules and regulations for that. Then I got this completely unexpected message from you! Thank you so much!
Thanks, Jim. My late wife and I made our end-of-life plans a couple decades ago, when green burials were hardly noted and were discouraged, at least here in Iowa. But your comments provide a service: if nothing else, at least begin to plan for your life's end. Could include body, organ or brain donation; cremation, coffin, or now green; things wanted in any memorial/funeral service OR even if you don't want any service, religious or otherwise. Thanks for making more people aware of the importance of planning for end-of-life "stuff."
Amen to that!
Thanks for this most useful and environmentally sound information!
Awesome. I will have to look up Green Burial. The swamp in my back yard seems the best place, but I know it's not.
Thank you for the timely reminder (we are in our 80's) that there are better ways to return to Mother Earth. We have known about Honey Creek Woodlands, located on the grounds of a Trappist monastery in Conyers, Ga, for some time, but like too many of us, have been procrastinating. It sounds like a beautiful solution and so much more comforting for the loved ones than the traditional ways.
You can also donate your body to science. There are a number of medical schools that will accept and transfer your body for free.
It’s about time !!!
Indeed.
The problem is that "green burial" is not legal in all states. There are many states that have no authorized space given over for same, as sensible as it is. A large part of that problem is the very powerful funeral directors' lobbies. As in all good ideas, it is the money that matters.
Thanks Jim for making us aware of other possibilities for burial...including a green outcome.
As a recent convert to this idea, thanks for bringing it to a new group of people. It just makes so much sense, both environmentally and financially.
I'm leaving my body to science - specifically, the Ohio University School of Osteopathic Medicine (as an OU alumnus myself). I have a couple of deceased friends who also left their bodies to science. And I'm aware that former Ohio Governor John Gilligan left his body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
On the donation form, I wrote that I wouldn't even mind if the students used me for a few fraternity pranks. Gotta have the last laugh.
Timely as the expense of disposal of any kind continues to rise.
Thanks for sharing this information!
Oh, you have just put one of my own concerns to rest (pun not intended). I've made out my will, and made arrangements for donations to science, but I have been fearing someone interfering with my wishes to NOT be buried in a cemetery or worse, CREMATED, Seems I saw a report on this type of "disposal of remains", possibly on 60 Minutes or some other reporting show quite a few years back, but I only heard of it that one time and believed "Oh, this will never fly." So glad to know it is flying and I've got my solution solved. So, Jim, I thank you.