Current Funeral Trends

Rickochet

When I was a kid a "normal" funeral consisted of a day and a half of open casket visitation then a procession to the cemetery with a brief ceremony there. As a kid we sat there all day being expected to behave. People constantly walking up to the open casket saying how he (she) looks "good." They aren't good, they are dead.

I see a lot of changes these days. Many are doing cremations with some type of ceremony, some do no funeral home and no ceremonies, some do a small private ceremony. I had an uncle die a few years ago at 85 and he willed his remains to the local university for medical research and had no ceremonies or celebrations of life, only an obit in the paper. His wife has the same plans when it is her time. Personally, I don't go to funerals anymore unless it is close family. Most of our family except kids are gone. I don't want a funeral when it is my time.

DonM

Sounds like there are regional differences. Our standard funeral was always a wake at the funeral home in the late afternoon to evening, then about another hour the next day as a prelude to the funeral service. The service was either in the funeral home or church. Then on to the cemetery for a brief grave side ceremony.

You are right, now many people are not doing any of it. I’ve actually been a bit disappointed at some that didn’t happen. And of course a lot of cremations. My wife has the same opinion as you Rickochet .

Par4QC

Rickochet I don't want a funeral when it is my time.

That needs some explanation.
Funeral where no one but family attends?

It's either a funeral or cremation.

A new crematory opened in this area just a very few years ago. It is booked 24/7 from reading the obits. Cheap as heck; under a grand, iirc.
Funerals cost like hell!! Whether anyone attends or not. There is much more than just throwing your ass in a hole and filling it.

Always told my wife to have a big garbage bag on hand. Put me in there, roll me down the hill to the river!! Cash in the insurance.
She had absolutely no sense of humor about things like that.😅

johnnydoom

Can't say that I've ever been to an all day funeral except that after the funeral there is often a get together meal where a lot of time is spent with the family. My parents didn't make me go to funerals as a kid, so the first funeral I ever went to was my mother's when I was 21. It was a viewing and remembrance at a church which lasted about an hour, followed by a grave side ceremony. Pretty much the same as the dozens of funerals I've been to since except that in some cases the chapel is at the funeral home instead of a formal church. Never been to a ceremony where someone was cremated. My father originally wanted to be cremated, but changed his mind in his last year. I don't really care what happens to me, but I assume it will be a traditional funeral. There will be 500 or so people there, 497 because they love my wife and kids, and 3 there for me. 🙂

azgreg

I've told my wife and kids no services for me. Cremation and a small family gathering is all I wish.

Walterjn

Shit, cremate me, mix my remains with some sand and top dress the greens of some golf course. After that, hoist a drink of your choice and play golf!! Hit a couple for me.

Par4QC

Walterjn mix my remains with some sand and top dress the greens of some golf course

In some states, you cannot 'just' do that. Must have landowner's permission.

Not sure what the charge would be nor the penalty if caught doing it without.
We did my brother like that....in the cornfield🤣. Not sure if the locals had got permission or not, but they were supposed to.

Stu1961

Walterjn

My first choice has always been to have my remains scattered across my favorite golf course. Second choice would be to be cremated.

ode

Lol , current funeral trends🤨. Too many🤔, not enough🤔, just right🤔🙃🙃

garyt1957

When I was younger the deceased was laid out for three days. Now it's usually one.
My Dad at 99 has outlived all family and friends. I would be fine with no funeral and maybe just something really small for immediate family. I'm sure my sister will have other ideas though. For me, I don't care what they do with me.

Par4QC

garyt1957 Don't think anyone ever asked, but is your Dad a WWII vet by any chance? Seems to be their current age, those that remain, anyway.

garyt1957

Par4QC Don't think anyone ever asked, but is your Dad a WWII vet by any chance? Seems to be their current age, those that remain, anyway.

yes

accufitgolf

My wife donated her remains to the Univ. of South Carolina School of Medicine. You have a choice of some remains returned at the end of a year (closed coffin) or they dispose of the remains. They pick the body up within 4 hours of notification. Each year they have a non-sectarian Memorial Service for those that donated. The service was very touching. They also have a small Memorial Garden honoring those that did so. I have donated my body when I die.

CallMeAl

My dad wanted just mom, my wife and I, my two sons and the daughter-in-law. No obit and no service.

Mom has asked for the same.

Me, I told the wife to toast my ass and toss me out...

LBlack14

I'm done with funerals. Probably won't ever attend another one. Never had one for my sister in '20 or my Dad in '21. My Mom's 88 and wants none. I will, however, attend celebrations of life. That said, no funeral for me. Cremation and a party/CoL. AC/DC's Highway to Hell will be played LOUD AND PROUD!!!🤘

garyt1957

Anybody see where the new thing is to pose the dead as if they were alive doing something they liked? Creepy as F... to me.

Par4QC

garyt1957 Ima play 18 the next day!!.....riding. 🤣

I've told Jake that if I ever expire on course, strap me on and finish out!

azgreg

Rickochet

azgreg

I like the tree pod option for me. It would have a nice root system. 😛

sdandrea1

I don't really care what they do - I'll be dead.

LBlack14

"Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die"

darpar

Par4QC
"Dead Man Ridin'"!👍

rsvman2

Par4QC For the rest of the round it was hit the ball and drag John, hit the ball and drag John.