Kyrie Eleison

[wlotus]

As I left the cemetery yesterday evening I passed a fresh grave. The funeral flowers were piled over the dirt mound, and one of the larger arrangements had a banner which read "Loving Husband". I reverently, carefully stepped just close enough to see the temporary marker was dated 19 November 2007. I couldn't photograph it. It seemed too sad. I simply bowed my head to acknowledge the family's loss and moved on.

If it were up to me, I would not want a grave. I would rather have my body cremated. However, my loved ones may decide they want a grave to visit in my memory, so (at least for now) I am leaving the decision up to them. After all, they are the ones who will have to live with the loss of me, and if a gravesite would give them some small comfort, so be it.

Maple Grove Cemetery
23 November 2007

Comments

[ruthiebgr8.livejournal.com]

I prefer to be cremated myself, which my family all know. I haven't discussed where to bury the ashes though. I'd probably opt for being buried over my parent's graves or my grandparent's. Kind of a "stay within the family" thing like we've done with 2 of my aunts who were cremated.

The pictures are lovely. It's nice to see places where there are still leaves rather than barren trees.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

We had a lot of wind yesterday, so I suspect we won't have leaves for much longer. I'm glad I made it out there before all of them came down. I went out yesterday because I was afraid there would be very little foliage left today! Some trees in the area are already bare.

[queen-in-autumn.livejournal.com]

Last wishes are so personal. . .

Here's my 2 cents, fwiw:

I too would prefer to be cremated. The thought of having my body slowly rotting away in a box under a stone in a cemetary which will be meaningless in a few decades does not appeal to me.

I think that if a family feels a need to have a place to remember the deceased, the purchase and dedication of a tree or park bench or etc. can serve the same purpose.

My father wants his ashes scattered over a waterway that's meaningful to the entire family -- which means that whenever I am in that place after his death, I will think of him and feel his presence.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

That whole rotting in the ground thing doesn't appeal to me, either. I may need to put a note in my estate papers about my preference to have my body cremated after organ donation, after all.

[jadegirl.livejournal.com]

When my parents and Sir pass (should he be called away from the world before I am) I intend to buy and dedicate trees in a park local to me, with small plaques indicating them, and whatever quote seems appropriate. As for their bodies, they'll be harvested for usuable organs, and then donated for study, whatever is left will be cremated.

I'm going to research tree meanings, too, to find one that speaks to the life of each of them. It seems comforting to me. Of course, I've talked to them all about it, too.

[melissasutton.livejournal.com]

thats lovely hon (hugs)

Duane wants to be cremated, I don't know yet - I just know that I don't want a polished stone to mark my passing

I prefer a natural rose quartz boulder from the quarry here in my home town with a plaque on it - something nice about me is all I need. Duane likes the idea too - it suits us, nothing normal but meaningful all the same =)

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

"Normal" is overrated. :-)

[inexperienced.livejournal.com]

With the sun setting off to the left side I am reminded of the somberness the memento mori surfaces and it hits. The fall colors indicating the coming of the deathly winter and it hits me. Even with the concrete building in the background enforcing the presence of "urban" and the cold steel grounds encroaching on the warm damp earth.... It's amazing how cemeteries can immediately, upon entrance, create this sort of calm yet fear -- simultaneously. I wonder... . beautiful as always, Wanda.
(Love)