I am not a big supporter of expensive births, marriages or funerals and prefer simple cremation and scattering for myself in so far as funeral arrangements are concerned and it has nothing to do with costs
It's really a individual thing and yet most people seem to feel that funerals are too expensive and that the bereaved are taken advantage of. I contend that expecting parents, potential brides and grooms are equally taken advantage of due to the emotions attached to these events. Why is it then that, funerals get singled out, after all, it's one of the three major events that we go through.
The Cost of Funerals
The Cost of Funerals
I refuse to pay $12 - 18,000 for a funeral.
what for?
to make it look expensive for friends and family?
the person who died has no idea.
My bother and I have pre-arranged and paid for my mothers ahead of time, so when that time comes and your vulnerable, no one will be taking advantage of us.
Never ever get me wrong, my mother has been my best friend through life:-4
A simple cremation, and a small service.
what for?
to make it look expensive for friends and family?
the person who died has no idea.
My bother and I have pre-arranged and paid for my mothers ahead of time, so when that time comes and your vulnerable, no one will be taking advantage of us.
Never ever get me wrong, my mother has been my best friend through life:-4
A simple cremation, and a small service.
Life is just to short for drama.
The Cost of Funerals
AussiePam;1304905 wrote: What's an expensive birth?
New baby clothes----bassinet---crib-----mobiles------etc. etc.----it's more than just the pregnancy and delivery as you well know.
New baby clothes----bassinet---crib-----mobiles------etc. etc.----it's more than just the pregnancy and delivery as you well know.
The Cost of Funerals
Lon;1304911 wrote: New baby clothes----bassinet---crib-----mobiles------etc. etc.----it's more than just the pregnancy and delivery as you well know.
so what is an inexpensive birth?
you do need these things if one has a baby.:rolleyes:
so what is an inexpensive birth?
you do need these things if one has a baby.:rolleyes:
Life is just to short for drama.
The Cost of Funerals
Odie;1304913 wrote: so what is an inexpensive birth?
you do need these things if one has a baby.:rolleyes:
Sure you need these things but it's a matter of choices------some will spend big $$$ for a crib and bassinet and clothes. Some will buy used cribs or less expensive ones.
Some will use baby clothes from previous child. There is emotion attached to all these different choices.
you do need these things if one has a baby.:rolleyes:
Sure you need these things but it's a matter of choices------some will spend big $$$ for a crib and bassinet and clothes. Some will buy used cribs or less expensive ones.
Some will use baby clothes from previous child. There is emotion attached to all these different choices.
The Cost of Funerals
I think your OP is weakened by including births and marriages.
I do agree with you though that funeral costs can be exorbitant. And maybe your nearest and dearest don't want it to look like they didn't love you, so they feel committed to a credit-crippling send-off.
You can help them. Either take out some funeral plan you pay in advance, or else make it crystal clear in your will that you want a simple crematorium funeral, a cardboard coffin or whatever is the cheapest legally available in your neck of the woods, no headstone, no flowers, no urn and plaque, no massed choirs, no 21 gun salute, no after party / wake.
Lon - Let your FG threads be your memorial - and, if you spam just a wee bit, and get banned - a free Requiem ode may be penned in your honour!!:sneaky:
I do agree with you though that funeral costs can be exorbitant. And maybe your nearest and dearest don't want it to look like they didn't love you, so they feel committed to a credit-crippling send-off.
You can help them. Either take out some funeral plan you pay in advance, or else make it crystal clear in your will that you want a simple crematorium funeral, a cardboard coffin or whatever is the cheapest legally available in your neck of the woods, no headstone, no flowers, no urn and plaque, no massed choirs, no 21 gun salute, no after party / wake.
Lon - Let your FG threads be your memorial - and, if you spam just a wee bit, and get banned - a free Requiem ode may be penned in your honour!!:sneaky:
"Life is too short to ski with ugly men"
The Cost of Funerals
AussiePam;1304918 wrote: I think your OP is weakened by including births and marriages.
I do agree with you though that funeral costs can be exorbitant. And maybe your nearest and dearest don't want it to look like they didn't love you, so they feel committed to a credit-crippling send-off.
You can help them. Either take out some funeral plan you pay in advance, or else make it crystal clear in your will that you want a simple crematorium funeral, a cardboard coffin or whatever is the cheapest legally available in your neck of the woods, no headstone, no flowers, no urn and plaque, no massed choirs, no 21 gun salute, no after party / wake.
Lon - Let your FG threads be your memorial - and, if you spam just a wee bit, and get banned - a free Requiem ode may be penned in your honour!!:sneaky:
Pam, I think you have missed my whole point. Three big events-----the beginning of a new life (birth)-------the joining of two lives (marriage)-----and the passing of a life (death). People never seem to complain about the cost of the first two, but yet complain about funerals. Each in many cases can cost about the same.
I don't feel that funeral costs are exorbitant relative to these other events.
I do agree with you though that funeral costs can be exorbitant. And maybe your nearest and dearest don't want it to look like they didn't love you, so they feel committed to a credit-crippling send-off.
You can help them. Either take out some funeral plan you pay in advance, or else make it crystal clear in your will that you want a simple crematorium funeral, a cardboard coffin or whatever is the cheapest legally available in your neck of the woods, no headstone, no flowers, no urn and plaque, no massed choirs, no 21 gun salute, no after party / wake.
Lon - Let your FG threads be your memorial - and, if you spam just a wee bit, and get banned - a free Requiem ode may be penned in your honour!!:sneaky:
Pam, I think you have missed my whole point. Three big events-----the beginning of a new life (birth)-------the joining of two lives (marriage)-----and the passing of a life (death). People never seem to complain about the cost of the first two, but yet complain about funerals. Each in many cases can cost about the same.
I don't feel that funeral costs are exorbitant relative to these other events.
The Cost of Funerals
Lon;1304919 wrote: Pam, I think you have missed my whole point. Three big events-----the beginning of a new life (birth)-------the joining of two lives (marriage)-----and the passing of a life (death). People never seem to complain about the cost of the first two, but yet complain about funerals. Each in many cases can cost about the same.
I don't feel that funeral costs are exorbitant relative to these other events.
I think you missed my whole point, Lon.
Births - you don't have to spend big. You can borrow hand me downs. Big expenditure is voluntary.
Marriages - you can elope. I sort of did. One of my kids actually did.
Funerals - there is much less choice. Any funeral really costs a lot, and the law of the land specifies, here anyway, you can't just dig a hole in the garden and compost your late uncle.
With the first two, you have a lot of choice. With the third, you have lots less and the fact it's a sort of captive market means all prices are very high.
------
If you're just talking emotional pressure... I suggested a way round this on funerals. And if it's about emotion... why not include your daughter's prom, your son's 21st birthday, your twins' college graduation, your granddaughter's debutante season???????????????????????????
I don't feel that funeral costs are exorbitant relative to these other events.
I think you missed my whole point, Lon.
Births - you don't have to spend big. You can borrow hand me downs. Big expenditure is voluntary.
Marriages - you can elope. I sort of did. One of my kids actually did.
Funerals - there is much less choice. Any funeral really costs a lot, and the law of the land specifies, here anyway, you can't just dig a hole in the garden and compost your late uncle.
With the first two, you have a lot of choice. With the third, you have lots less and the fact it's a sort of captive market means all prices are very high.
------
If you're just talking emotional pressure... I suggested a way round this on funerals. And if it's about emotion... why not include your daughter's prom, your son's 21st birthday, your twins' college graduation, your granddaughter's debutante season???????????????????????????
"Life is too short to ski with ugly men"
The Cost of Funerals
AussiePam;1304921 wrote: I think you missed my whole point, Lon.
Births - you don't have to spend big. You can borrow hand me downs. Big expenditure is voluntary.
Marriages - you can elope. I sort of did. One of my kids actually did.
Funerals - there is much less choice. Any funeral really costs a lot, and the law of the land specifies, here anyway, you can't just dig a hole in the garden and compost your late uncle.
With the first two, you have a lot of choice. With the third, you have lots less and the fact it's a sort of captive market means all prices are very high.
------
If you're just talking emotional pressure... I suggested a way round this on funerals. And if it's about emotion... why not include your daughter's prom, your son's 21st birthday, your twins' college graduation, your granddaughter's debutante season???????????????????????????
There is a wide range of costs for funerals in Oz as there is in the U.S., and just like births and marriages (don't forget honeymoon's) choices are to be made on how much is spent. The Prom and 21st Birthday are not in the same life cycle league. You think that there is not a captive market when it comes to the new baby coming or the forthcoming wedding? Some little girls start pretty young dreaming and planning a future wedding and so do some of their mums-----Wedding Planners, Florists, Caterers etc. just love it. And BABY? Hey-------nothing is too good for that little tyke, just look at the Grannies and potential parents as they wander around the NEW BABY STORES. My final point------and I rest my case----------is that why is one of these events less or more important from a cost standpoint and why do so many bitch about the high cost of a funeral?
Births - you don't have to spend big. You can borrow hand me downs. Big expenditure is voluntary.
Marriages - you can elope. I sort of did. One of my kids actually did.
Funerals - there is much less choice. Any funeral really costs a lot, and the law of the land specifies, here anyway, you can't just dig a hole in the garden and compost your late uncle.
With the first two, you have a lot of choice. With the third, you have lots less and the fact it's a sort of captive market means all prices are very high.
------
If you're just talking emotional pressure... I suggested a way round this on funerals. And if it's about emotion... why not include your daughter's prom, your son's 21st birthday, your twins' college graduation, your granddaughter's debutante season???????????????????????????
There is a wide range of costs for funerals in Oz as there is in the U.S., and just like births and marriages (don't forget honeymoon's) choices are to be made on how much is spent. The Prom and 21st Birthday are not in the same life cycle league. You think that there is not a captive market when it comes to the new baby coming or the forthcoming wedding? Some little girls start pretty young dreaming and planning a future wedding and so do some of their mums-----Wedding Planners, Florists, Caterers etc. just love it. And BABY? Hey-------nothing is too good for that little tyke, just look at the Grannies and potential parents as they wander around the NEW BABY STORES. My final point------and I rest my case----------is that why is one of these events less or more important from a cost standpoint and why do so many bitch about the high cost of a funeral?
The Cost of Funerals
there are tons of choices for any event
we had the most beaituful wedding ceremony at one of our city halls, outside there was a park like setting with flowers, river, tress for pics.
for our honeymoon we rented a cottage and went fishing.
$750.00--including a boat and motor
it was cheap as we couldn`t afford much, but....its also what we wanted to do.
hand me downs for both my kids were great, my sister-in law provided them and my friends, then mine were handed to others.
Its all got to do with what you can afford & your belief`s.
simple really.
we had the most beaituful wedding ceremony at one of our city halls, outside there was a park like setting with flowers, river, tress for pics.
for our honeymoon we rented a cottage and went fishing.
$750.00--including a boat and motor
it was cheap as we couldn`t afford much, but....its also what we wanted to do.
hand me downs for both my kids were great, my sister-in law provided them and my friends, then mine were handed to others.
Its all got to do with what you can afford & your belief`s.
simple really.
Life is just to short for drama.
The Cost of Funerals
Lon;1304924 wrote: There is a wide range of costs for funerals in Oz as there is in the U.S., and just like births and marriages (don't forget honeymoon's) choices are to be made on how much is spent. The Prom and 21st Birthday are not in the same life cycle league. You think that there is not a captive market when it comes to the new baby coming or the forthcoming wedding? Some little girls start pretty young dreaming and planning a future wedding and so do some of their mums-----Wedding Planners, Florists, Caterers etc. just love it. And BABY? Hey-------nothing is too good for that little tyke, just look at the Grannies and potential parents as they wander around the NEW BABY STORES. My final point------and I rest my case----------is that why is one of these events less or more important from a cost standpoint and why do so many bitch about the high cost of a funeral?
Because its the last thing in this world we get to bitch about.
Because its the last thing in this world we get to bitch about.