It's sad there are so many people in cemeteries who are forgotten. I always wonder about their lives when I read the headstones.
Maybe my stone mason can etch a story on my headstone so people will know about my life... unless they charge per word of course, in which case there's no way my husband will pay for that! He's already planning a plain wooden cross for me, probably made from free driftwood he can find on a beach! Oh yes, and a cardboard coffin, lol!
Talking about saving money on funerals, my neighbour bought himself a DIY flat-pack coffin off the internet after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He put it together ready for his funeral. It felt a bit morbid to me but he was a very practical down-to-earth bloke.
Ah yes I had a aunty (in law) who joined a coffin painting club. She and her husband were very proud of their creations. I guess it helps with processing....
Wow - a very practical neighbour. What an amazing attitude. I love thinking about people and their stories. Everyone has a story. For that reason I guess I too love reading headstones.
I bet he kept the coffin in the bedroom too…..probably used it for his clothes while waiting. I’m with your hubby…..funerals are such an expense. Cheap as positive for me but I would like all to have a good get together after. Willow coffins are very expensive here @wakelys . More &more folk are going for just collect for a simple cremation then perhaps a memorial service after. Someone said it’s a bit like burying a pet though!! 😱
Wow - what an amazing collection of thoughts prompted by your image! I loved the idea of making and painting your own coffin! My funeral plan is a vintage cast-iron cemetery plot marker - I'll be No.9 somewhere in our bush. :)
@happypat My mum left instructions to have a funeral/memorial service without her coffin in the church because she thought it would make people sadder to see the coffin. She wanted it to be a big party. She asked to be buried privately a few days before the service with just immediate family present and no service. The church service was lovely because the vicar knew her well so it turned into a great celebration with a fab garden party afterwards - Mum would have loved it!
@wakelys That sounds great to make your own out of willow. Do you have to bring it home afterwards? I'm one of those who wouldn't want a reminder of my future death around the house.
@christinav A friend in our town was buried in a white coffin. She was a primary school teacher and children were invited to draw and write on her coffin if they visited her when she was at home and at the end of funeral service, before she was taken away for cremation. Her coffin ended up being very colourful.
@johnfalconer It's good to leave instructions as it means family don't have to make difficult decisions when they're feeling really sad and already have so much to think about. My mum was very specific about what she wanted so it was easy to plan. Dad wasn't and so things were done that some family members didn't agree with - a difficult situation.
