Steve,
That seems to have happened quickly, though if you were doing things daily and watching the process it may have seemed not at all fast. Was he in the hospital? I think even watching someone with whom you had no emotional connection die of cancer would be an awful experience.
Cremation seems such an excellent choice for disposal. Mother was cremated, but I think it was because it was cheaper and she was penurious to a fault. That's probably why she decided to die at home. No, I'm being facetious-she did it because we had watched my father die in the hospital and it was cold and medical and terrible. Anyway, when I went to the funeral home, they tried to sell us a coffin for the memorial service! I said, do you rent by the hour? What would I do with it afterward? Does it come with a little pamphlet--10 Tasteful and Creative Suggestions for Your Only Slightly Used Coffin? (I really need to learn when my attempts at humor are not appreciated or appropriate.)
Then they brought out the book of urns for the ashes, which ranged from 19.99 up to lots. I remember thinking that I didn't want to look TOO cheap, so I bought the 29.99 model. The thing that seemed the most odd was after the service when we got to the cemetery, there was only this little tiny hole dug. It never occurred to me that there wouldn;'t be a giant 6 foot chasm in the earth, like in all the movies, casket looming over it, with mourners weeping and throwing flowers or themselves into it. Instead they just inserted the urn into the little hole. It was very anticlimactic.
Again you have done "a good thing" and I admire you greatly. (Pearls in your crown!)We all should try for the one deed at a time, one gesture, one kindness; it would add up so quickly.
Do you have to wear shoes to do this though? THat would really earn my respect. |
