General Chat

Back to Islington I go. My ashes to go floating down the Regents Canal Islington section. Pat x

Was reading up about the freeze dried burial system only yesterday. Was a little sceptical at first, but on reflection it seems quite a sensible idea. the deceased is freeze dried in liquid nitrogen (without being embalmed first). The funeral service takes place, as normal and then the coffin is shaken (not stirred - lol) and because of the extremes of temperatures the body shatters into minute pieces (like dust really). Then a sort of vacuum system is used to extract any mercury deposits (all those fillings!) and hip/knee replacements, surgical pins etc. and the resultant dust is placed in a cardboard/paper box/liner and buried not too far under the soil in an appropriate place. It is is reckoned that within 6 months to a year all will have dispersed back to nature and if a tree or shrub is planted immediately after the burial, then it will have a very good start in life - regeneration! Sweden are kicking off with this system and have almost got Government approval for the first Freezer-torium (sorry cant remember the exact terminology for process) and Chester are looking into the method carefully. It would be illegal in the UK at present but apprently the government would consider making the process legal if there was enough pressure brought to bear. I think it sound 'cool' - sorry about that! Far better than rotten old emissions in the air and waterways polluted by nearby burial sites (not to mention the waste of land). Jacqui

I would like to stuffed and put in my ex daughter inlaws lounge. Shirley Ann.

Roxanne - there is a slight draw-back to freeze drying, and that's the question of paying the last respects! I imagine that one would have to be kitted out with appropriate clothing before saying the last goodbyes, and there would be no pportunity to kiss the deceased goodbye - 'lip-stick' comes to mind - sorry for the bad joke. It does sound a reasonable alternative to me though, and whilst I wouldnt want to be kept in a state of suspended animation (cryogenics) I wouldnt mind being frozen and then dispersed somewhere tranquil after a good shakeup! Jacqui

Afraid so Roxanne, She wasn't a very pleasant person, and treated my lad very badly. Shirley Ann.

We had to change our plans for a Woodland Burial when our eldest daughter died 2 years ago.We decided we needed to be close to her and bought the grave next to hers.Sadly my husband died 3 weeks ago and his ashes will be buried in our grave next week..This has been a great comfort to us,especially now Dad and his beloved daughter will be together even though they are 500 miles away from me.

Way to go Jacquie!!!! So glad someone else likes the idea of being 'shaken, not stirred!' No nasty emissions either!!! Shirley Ann lmho!!!!! I would quite like to be a diamond though, I wonder if i'd be a half carat or a full blingy 4 carat job? I think I may chuck the diet then, & go for a big rock!!! ;0) Joan x

Definitely a church funeral and a burial.

You could still have that David even if you were frozen! There's not much heat in the churches nowadays, so no nasty drips likely - lol Image it - just a quick shake 'n vac and into the bag and into the soil. J.D. (Job done) Stick in the Forsythia and away you go - come the following Spring up comes a lovely showy yellow flower which brings joy to the heart! What more could you want? Jacqui

BH Jacqui I want a bit of weeping and a lot of black - none of this celebration of my life nonsense lol

You can have all that (and more) but at the end of the service, off you go for a good shaking, vacuuming,sorting and boxing. No one is stopping you from having the full Monty, just ensuring that your mortal remains dont impinge on any bugger else!!!! lol if that too much to ask Mr Owen??? (mutter..........suppose I could always stick 'im in the boiler and let him go up in smoke on me train) lol Jacqui

Over the years I have swung between cremation and burial and back again, but have finally decided that those who are left behind can make the decision based on what they find easier to handle/cope with. They know I am a supporter of medical research and also green funerals, but still I leave the choice to them - they are the ones who have to arrange it and get through it. I lay my trust in them.

pmsl Jacqui:) Nope - there is a place for me in a family plot and I'm having it;)

Remember Les Dawson when the undertaker asked if he want his MiL buried or cremated. He said both, let's not take any chances. Sorry folks - my sense of humour. The freezing sounds a good way for me. If that doen't become law I'd like to be cremated and then scattered in Liverpool Bay, but I suspect 'herself' would have other ideas. :-) Keith

I am quite indifferent as to what happens to my corpse. That will probably be of more concern to those who are left with it so I would expect them to decide. Cremation would probably be best for the planet but I'm not too sure about all the smoke crematoria make. Len