Glad to hear the wedding went well, Aimee!

My grandfather was cremated and his ashes were scattered up at his ranch. The horse my uncle was riding threw him and the ashes were strewn a bit less decorously than planned, but we all agreed that Grandpa would've gotten a kick out of that.

Grandma, also cremated, we buried under an oak sapling in the meadow my parents are restoring/managing. Unfortunately, the tree died, but presumably the ashes are still down there and we can put another one on top. Grandma would not be pleased, but what can you do?

We scattered some of my friend's ashes on the Mississippi during his wake. We also all ate some of his ashes. It seemed like a good idea at the time. This was after a lot of whiskey and singing and bagpipes, there was not a lot of rational thinking involved. I don't regret it, exactly, but I don't know that I'd choose to do it again.

Ray Cole on The Wire had the Pogues. Something with "American"in the title. That was a beautiful moment. (/The Wire likes Irish Carrots)

I think I'll be cremated, have people be present for the actual incineration for which the actual music would be "smoke gets in your eyes". (Or maybe "we didn't start the fire".) I need to create a form that I update regularly, specifying into whose face my still smoldering ashes are actually tossed.

We buried our Irish Wolfhound's ashes under a bush and it thrived. I wonder if the people who live in our old house now have any idea that both yards are the cemetaries for three dogs, three hamsters and assorted gerbils. My first rat Dieter's ashes are in my closet. I haven't yet found an urn that seemed fitting for him. He died in 1990 I think.

erika, sorry you were dealing with crap from your dad. I would volunteer to come out there and cluestick him for you if it would help.

Aimee, glad you survived the wedding and Snowpocolypse!

DH and I are definitely in the cremation camp. I sort of like the emotional closure that funerals provide but DH wants no service--just a party.

My FiL doesn't want to donate his organs but my MiL had a brother who was saved by a liver transplant. I once heard her tell my FiL that nobody would ask him after he was dead and it was up to her to decide what to do about organ donation, if FiL died first.

The way I see it, these rituals aren't for the dead--they're for the living and I think that whatever makes my family feel better in the end is ok with me. I may leave requests but they're more guidelines than rules, in case anyone can't make a decision. But really, I don't think I'll care much.

I'm still secretly hoping for a viking funeral if they can pull if off, though.

Oh, and I'm STILL in Cleveland. *sigh*

Did you have a five way? Oh wait, that's Cincinnatti.

We ate Vietnamese.

I've had wonderful hosts but I'm ready to be home.

I think it's a good idea to leave instructions. Being able to say "this is what s/he wanted" during whatever is so comforting, even if it's not what you would personally choose.

Yeah, Cashmere. I certainly understand not ALWAYS coming first. Once, however, would be nice and novel and assure me he gave a rat's ass.