Adding to this thread rather than starting a new topic!
On the way home (from the gym) this morning, I called in to the Funeral Directors' office. I'd been thinking about doing this for a while, since reading about Jessica Mitford's book on American funeral costs. This book was, it seems, a best-seller for years, not just months! She challenged the enormous costs which people were being encouraged to pay for all sorts of things that really were not necessary! Also, I heard something recently about embalming, so I thought I'd make some enquiries.
I started by saying that they had done both my parents' funerals and that I'd ask my sons to go to them too. when the time comes. The answers to my questions were - that they do not embalm except for particular, unusual circumstances, that the most important need fortheir services was the fridge space, that as my sons are not, as we have agreed, going to have anybody at the crematorium and that there is not going to be any kind of gathering, they could choose the first appt in the morning, thus ensuring that this could be arranged within a week, that if I die at home, i.e. not in hospital, and a coroner has to be called on, this is cheaper, because the coroner is paid for by local Authorities or something.
Well, it's important to be practical and to know these things, I think!
My sons will arrange a venue with drinks and sandwiches on a suitable date in case anyone wants to take part in such a wake.
I hasten to add that I shall do my best to put the occasion off for as long as possible!
