Amy,

You are not alone, these days lots of families and people make those arrangements all the time. Plus there are advertisements on TV and in the mail. Especially here in this military town. We have the Veterans Military cemetery just opened up and plots are being paid for up front by Military families.

It's called a planning guide and final arrangements to remove the burden from your family with funeral services options. My wife and I both have that covered along with the house being paid off when either one of us is deceased. It settles all would be disputes which has a way of being a problem in many cases.

Both of us have a grown son and daughter, this way there is no hassle between the four of them over who is in charge of final arrangements. It's not like we don't know that one day we will be gone.

Hi Amy

I have a son in the funeral business so have just been talking plots. Of course Ray and I are older than you (63 and 58) but I am going to be buried if we are close by, cremated and ashes buried here if I am far away. I also like the family plot idea but will settle for just be buried in the same cemetry as my parents.

Sue.

Amy:

I m ?Hindu and Indian, I want to be cremeted, and my ashes will be thrown in holy river of India Ganges or maybe Niagara falls. our 1 day old daughter also got cremeted, It was so surreal and weird feeling when my family was discussing how to cremete her body, oh man I don't want to relive those days, but I think once our soul leaves the body I don't care what they do with my body put it in body world museum I don't care

Asha

Amy,

This reminds of what is now a funny story. About thirty years ago (when I was in my mid twenties) my mother announced to me that she and my father had bought burial plots and while they were at it they bought two more, so I had a place to be buried. I worked real hard at not reacting to her statement. At the time I found it really weird. But then I was young and had not yet contemplated death very seriously.

I was glad when our father died there was already a place to bury him. That was one decision that had already been made. After he died a plaque was bought (In this cemetary they don't allow head stones. With plaques it is easier to mow). When my mother died she was creamated and her ashes were buried next to my dad beside the double plaque.

The other two plots are still empty. I have decidied to be cremated (and have told my family). I am not concerned (at least at this point) what happens to the ashes.

For your peace of mind, having a burial plot is probably a good thing.

AMY,

I THINK IT'S CARING TO YOUR FAMILY TO ARRANGE STUFF LIKE THIS UP FRONT. IT TAKES SO MUCH PRESSURE OFF THE FAMILY WHEN THE DAY COMES. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP. I DON'T THINK IT'S MORBID AT ALL, THAT AS WELL AS LIVING WILLS AND THE LIKE.

I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING AS FAR AS PLANNING, MAYBE WE ALL SHOULD. IT'S NOT LIKE IF WE DON'T WE WON'T DIE, AFTERALL.

KIM

Amy

i want to be cremated and have my ashes shot into space like James Doohan (Scotty on "Star Trek") or Hunter Thompson.

i have all of the ashes of my pets on the mantelpiece, so i'll take them with me. all pets alive at my death will inherit a trust fund and a designated person (if John predeceases me) so that they will be set for life.

sandy