Cheapest Way To Have A Funeral ????

neilnruth · Guru

RE: Cheapest Way To Have A Funeral ????

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

neilnruth wrote:
We reckon our son will never be without a job....he's a funeral director.
PS He used to find that a conversation stopper when he was young and unmarried so he used to say he was a 'removalist'!

he's got a job for life biggrin biggrin biggrin

Duh · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Duh wrote:
All I have to do now is hope they don't go to the wall before I cark it, they've been around for a long time so hopefully it won't happen.
Funeral companies do not go to the wall

I know they are guaranteed clients in all financial climates (cant stop people from dying), however the industry is very competitive .

The bloke I spoke to at the funeral place told me of one US Funeral Company what was also operating in Oz that did go to the wall, so it does happen.

neilnruth · Guru

Yes, I think most of the US companies didn't make it in Australia. Aussies are not into those big flashy 'caskets' that they want to sell.

Duh · Guru

We are getting bombarded with funeral company ads on TV and radio at the moment over here in the West, a very competitive business.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Duh wrote:
We are getting bombarded with funeral company ads on TV and radio at the moment over here in the West, a very competitive business.

that's because there is a lot of money to be made.

Duh · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Duh wrote:
We are getting bombarded with funeral company ads on TV and radio at the moment over here in the West, a very competitive business.

that's because there is a lot of money to be made.

Got any spare Wombat holes you want to sell cheap ???? biggrin

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Duh wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
Duh wrote:
We are getting bombarded with funeral company ads on TV and radio at the moment over here in the West, a very competitive business.

that's because there is a lot of money to be made.
Got any spare Wombat holes you want to sell cheap ????

I'll do the whole job for you for $3000 inc flowers, music and anything you want thrown in for free, only cos you are my mate. biggrin confuse

Duh · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Marj is not part of the deal, you do not get her.

Oh that's a shame.....she wouldn't need to eat for awhile and think of the money you'd save on food.....but then again she might throw up, she doesn't know where I might have been wink biggrin biggrin biggrin

PS: Just tell her I'm a big rat! wink

-- Edited by Duh on Thursday 20th of June 2013 09:27:33 PM

Duh · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Duh wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
Duh wrote:
We are getting bombarded with funeral company ads on TV and radio at the moment over here in the West, a very competitive business.

that's because there is a lot of money to be made.
Got any spare Wombat holes you want to sell cheap ????
I'll do the whole job for you for $3000 inc flowers, music and anything you want thrown in for free, only cos you are my mate.

You are all heart Wombat, as long as you don't feed me to that pet python!! wink biggrin

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Marj is not part of the deal, you do not get her. biggrin biggrin

kw · Veteran Member

Thinking of this, and the cost, I asked my Doc how do I go about leaving my body for spare parts. He just laughed and asked what the hell made me think that there was anything about my body that would be of use to anyone else?

Then I asked him, what about leaving it for science, once again he just laughed and said they only wanted bodies that weren't quite as deteriorated as mine.

Think that if I'm still alive on the day I die I might just head out to sea in the tinny with a heap of fuel and a one way ticket.

-- Edited by kw on Sunday 29th of September 2013 07:06:44 AM

Duh · Guru

Don't let that put you off registering as an Organ and Tissue donor though, you may have some tissues that can be used to improve someone's life, ie;

"Tissues undergo extensive screening and processing before being released for use. Tissue transplantation may not be life-saving but, it dramatically improves and enhances the quality of lives. For example, a person who is blind will not die without a corneal transplant but their life can be dramatically improved with the gift of sight.

Eye tissue is stored for no more than seven days.
Heart valve tissue cannot be used in less than four weeks but can be stored for up to 10 years.
Bone tissue cannot be used in less than six months but can be stored for up to five years.
Skin tissue can be used almost immediately and can also be stored for up to five years.

Tissues are either stored in liquid nitrogen at very cold temperatures or in deep freezers at minus 70 to minus 80 degrees Celsius."

Donors hospital and medical records are checked when a registered donor dies to see if there is anything worth salvaging to help others.

How to register and other details are shown here;

http://www.transplant.org.au/How-to-sign-on-to-save-lives.html

Big Gorilla · Guru

I have organized a free funeral, hopefully. I am a registered Organ Donor but I have left my beautiful body to the University to do whatever they wish with it for the benefit of science. The only proviso, after they have finished with me, throw me in the fire (not the big one down below)

Devil Made Me Send This.gif

and give the ashes to my family...

Duh · Guru

A friend of mine did the same thing BG, except his family organised a memorial service for him at a chapel, photo's and speeches just no coffin or body.

johnq · Guru

Big Gorilla wrote:
I have organized a free funeral, hopefully. I am a registered Organ Donor but I have left my beautiful body to the University to do whatever they wish with it for the benefit of science. The only proviso, after they have finished with me, throw me in the fire (not the big one down below)

and give the ashes to my family...

What guarantee do you have that the remains will be dealt with for free?

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

johnq wrote:
Big Gorilla wrote:
I have organized a free funeral, hopefully. I am a registered Organ Donor but I have left my beautiful body to the University to do whatever they wish with it for the benefit of science. The only proviso, after they have finished with me, throw me in the fire (not the big one down below)

and give the ashes to my family...
What guarantee do you have that the remains will be dealt with for free?

good point johnq

Big Gorilla · Guru

johnq wrote:
Big Gorilla wrote:
I have organized a free funeral, hopefully. I am a registered Organ Donor but I have left my beautiful body to the University to do whatever they wish with it for the benefit of science. The only proviso, after they have finished with me, throw me in the fire (not the big one down below)

and give the ashes to my family...
What guarantee do you have that the remains will be dealt with for free?

In the paperwork I signed, that was a condition.... Although in my post I added the word "Hopefully"...

Big Gorilla · Guru

John, I'm at my home in the Philippines at present and don't have access to the paperwork, which is in Tasmania. Thinking about that, I hope I don't drop off the perch while I'm here as I'll probably get wrapped in a blanket and buried under some Caribou dung on a mountainside !!!

biggrin

However while my arrangement is with University of Tasmania , I'm sure the conditions of my acceptance would be similar to those of Uni in Qld. I would certainly NOT qualify in the weight range, and of course my age 72, would not be in my favor, although I am quite healthy for my age. CJD disease looks scary. I just Googled it. It's a form of Dementia and apparently only affects one person per million. I am also a registered organ donor, however what can be harvested from an older body is anyone's guess. My thoughts are that if I can help some poor sole after I'm gone, I've done a little bit to help someone somewhere.....

I note the following from the Qld. Uni link:

Conclusion of involvement in the UQ Body Donor Program

The body of a deceased donor is normally in the care of The University of Queensland for a period of up to three years, after which time the body is cremated. This process does not involve the nominated next-of-kin. In certain situations, the studies involving some bodies are completed in a shorter timeframe. Therefore, those bodies are cremated earlier than the scheduled date.

Following this process, the UQ Body Donor Program Manager and the crematorium will advise the nominated next-of-kin that the donor's ashes are available for collection.

The details and costs associated with the collection of ashes are private arrangements between the nominated next-of-kin and the crematorium.

Costs

The University of Queensland will cover the cost of cremation of donated bodies within Brisbane.

Regards, Ken.

-- Edited by Big Gorilla on Monday 30th of September 2013 09:01:07 PM

johnq · Guru

Ken (Big Gorilla),

Thanks for the reply.

I was asking because when I enquired some years ago about donating bits of body and hopefully all of body, I was informed that while people are encouraged to put themselves down as donors of body parts, in fact it doesn't so often turn out that depends on manner of death, place of death, time etc. For whole bodies for students etc, they want good bodies, not old and decrepit and lean preferably.

Here is the list U of Qld's conditions for example,

While the University greatly appreciates every registration, there are several conditions which may at time of death restrict donor acceptance. These include, but are not limited to:

Death occurring outside of the acceptance area
Conduct of an autopsy or coroners inquiry
Body is unable to be embalmed within 10 days of death
Recent trauma or surgery which affects normal anatomy
Notifiable disease or medical condition (e.g HIV, Hepatitis, TB)
Recent chemotherapy
Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD)
Localised, regionalised or systemic infection (e.g. cellulitis, antibiotic-resistant pneumonia, wounds)
Physical condition of body including weight range of 40-80kgs (subject to change without notice)
Any other condition that may be identified as health or safety risks to students and staff.
Operational limitations and closure periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year)

In accordance with current guidelines established by Red Cross Australia as of 21 December 2000, if you have resided in the UK between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1996 for a cumulative period of 6 months or more, or if you received a blood transfusion in the UK after 1 January 1980, regrettably we are unable to accept you into the UQ Body Donor Program.
Registration in the UQ Body Donor Program does not guarantee acceptance of a body. A final decision on acceptance can only be determined by the University following the death of the body donor and completion of the screening process.

www.uq.edu.au/sbms/body-donor-program

neilnruth · Guru

I'll just throw this in for those thinking of leaving their bodies to universities - most universities have so many bodies waiting to be used they don't want anymore - and the other point our son has given is that it can take up to 12 months or more to get the ashes (because they have so many bodies). You may have to find a university that actually doesn't have too many bodies.

Big Gorilla · Guru

Don't know about Tasmania with a total State population of around 500,000, however you raised a good point..

Duh · Guru

A late friend of mine in WA was in his early eighties and they accepted his body for student training etc.

I suppose it could depend on what they are researching, if it is the effects of say ageing on the body then I suppose they would need an older persons body.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Duh wrote:
A late friend of mine in WA was in his early eighties and they accepted his body for student training etc.
I suppose it could depend on what they are researching, if it is the effects of say ageing on the body then I suppose they would need an older persons body.

you qualify there, put your name down Duh

Duh · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Duh wrote:
A late friend of mine in WA was in his early eighties and they accepted his body for student training etc.
I suppose it could depend on what they are researching, if it is the effects of say ageing on the body then I suppose they would need an older persons body.
you qualify there, put your name down Duh

Your so kind ! wink furious

countryroad · Senior Member

When my husband died in 2007 in a nursing home in Leura NSW, I had already visited the crematorium in Leura NSW.

When entering nursing home arrangements HAVE to be in place otherwise they ring the one on the list for that week.

You could say we bypassed the Funeral Director. Great service, we had sorted music had CD's marked. So crematorium picked him up in their van and he stayed there until service.

Arranged for his ashes to be returned to England....you just need a letter...no. 2 dau took him, buried his ashes under a tree in Grovelly Woods where he and his siblings used to play as kids. His only remaining brother and sister present.

We had wake at The Carrington in Katoomba about $500, a piper $150, he was grateful for the money, no flowers, British flag draped on coffin, he was a Brit soldier for 3 years, young g'daugter thought he had a Grandma blankie to keep him warm. (A quilt )

Very nice funeral abt $4000. I would be happy with same.......

Robyn

Duh · Guru

countryroad wrote:
When my husband died in 2007 in a nursing home in Leura NSW, I had already visited the crematorium in Leura NSW.

When entering nursing home arrangements HAVE to be in place otherwise they ring the one on the list for that week.

You could say we bypassed the Funeral Director. Great service, we had sorted music had CD's marked. So crematorium picked him up in their van and he stayed there until service.

Arranged for his ashes to be returned to England....you just need a letter...no. 2 dau took him, buried his ashes under a tree in Grovelly Woods where he and his siblings used to play as kids. His only remaining brother and sister present.

We had wake at The Carrington in Katoomba about $500, a piper $150, he was grateful for the money, no flowers, British flag draped on coffin, he was a Brit soldier for 3 years, young g'daugter thought he had a Grandma blankie to keep him warm. (A quilt )

Very nice funeral abt $4000. I would be happy with same.......

Robyn

Thanks for sharing that Robyn, sorry for your loss but it sounds like he had a great send off. A very nice story and funeral.

countryroad · Senior Member

Public trustee.....plenty expensive.

NSW ....if money to cover in bank at time of funeral, bank cheques can be used to pay funeral costs.
So no need to pay expensive pay by the month or anything else.

What if you are in Darwin when you kick bucket...but funeral paid in Tasmania.
You'll have to be shipped intact to await your cremation / burial in Tasmania.

Mum died In Picton NSW and was picked up and taken to Wollongong NSW where funeral was partially paid for.
My brother who lived in Wollongong NSW I think changed a few things after ringing me...just us 2 kids
and money repaid to him. He was the Sorter Outer anyway.
I have no intention of prepaying my funeral...
There will be sufficient in the bank.
Tell them have funeral after lunch, early afternoon...then out for afternoon tea/few drinks home before meal time.

Duh · Guru

The prepaid method is paid fully and does not have to be accounted for by Centrelink, just let them know why the deduction.

It is not pay by the month which is different. Another scheme where you get the interest is deemed by Centrelink, mine is not that type.

The advantage of prepaid is you pay it at today's prices and it is locked in at that price, no price increases for services even for coffins can be added later even if say 10 years down the track (that is because they have the use of your and others money for interest etc in the meantime). So funeral "locked in" at today's prices.

The only increases that can be asked for is if when you die your rellies want to add things or change things around at added expense, I have told mine that if they do that they can pay for it, I have done my bit.

I have mine with Simplicity Funerals who are Australia wide and the cremation can be had in any state in Australia by the nearest branch, including body pick up etc, the contract covers that. Having body or ashes shipped back home would incur extra expenses of course.

I'm happy with my arrangements as they are. My ex died in Qld, and I couldn't believe the bickering etc amongst everyone over her funeral arrangements etc, she had left a certain amount of money in her bank account, but not enough to cover her funeral and the way some of the relatives in Queensland wanted it (including open coffin etc). Glad I've taken care of mine now and paid for it. Any changes they can worry about it.

Yes, in WA the Public Trustees will also allow a bank to release funds to a funeral director for a funeral upon presentation of their account prior to the funeral, that is of course providing the deceased has enough funds to cover it.

-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 6th of October 2013 11:38:14 AM

Crackles · Veteran Member

Unfortunately it is one cost we don't seem to be able to control. At the time the unthinkable happens we are really at the funeral parlors mercy. Just a few short weeks ago I lost the best mother in law a guy could ask for. so it was straight to the local place and all was arranged, account to follow. Anyway the reason for this note I was given a poem to read at the service and it touched a cord for me,

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginningto the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth,
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own:
The cars.the house.the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard
Are there things youd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(you could be at dash mid-range)

If we could just slow down enough
To consider whats true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like weve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile.
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogys being read
With your lifes actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash.

I really hope so