Family Plots

Last night in my reality TV search - I came across a show called Family Plots. Its the reality show version of one of my FAVORITE shows on HBO...Six Feet Under. Some people might think that my TV watching is mindless. But - I do have to say that after the shows it make for good group discussions. What would you do? How would you handle it?

The first common thing we all stated was...what would make someone want to be a mortician? To surround yourself with sadness and heartache. Death and destruction. We have decided that most funeral homes are family and its just the call of order. This is what you do. This is your future.

And with that, on both the movie version and the reality version. These family's don't seem so happy. Death of children effect them daily. The loss of the much loved spouse and father when they too are trying to attain such adoration and failing miserably.

Then there is the discussions with the families on the ways to proceed with the burial/cremation or whatever.

This has always been a touchy subject with everyone as they don't want to think about their demise. But - I think its important to tell your family your wishes and HOPE that they follow them. It seems that that is a constant source of fighting during a most sad time. What to do with the body.

Some believe in burial. Or the Mos (so they aren't in the ground). Some want to be cremated others frozen for another day. There are burials at sea and some thrown into the wind.

On Six Feet Under - Nates wife died. Her family wanted her cremated and then placed in the family Mos. Nate knew his wife's desires and shared them with the family. They denied him and told him to proceed as they wished.

He filled a box with unknown ashes and gave them to the family. Nate then took Lisa (his wife) out to a beautiful field and underneath the tree he buried her.

I thought that was beautiful. Sad scene. Illegal in most states. But still beautiful.

I have always said I didn't want to be buried in a cemetery - though I find them to be very interesting places. Most of my vacations include a stop in a cemetery or two. But - because of my stops - I decided that as these people have come and gone. So have their families. Most headstones are old in disrepair. Weeds replace flowers. Neglect, neglect, neglect. Each one was a person with a very interesting story that has been buried with them. No one visits - except the occasional cemetery lookieloo (like me).

I deciced I wanted to be cremated. I then want everyone to dress in light colors and rent a pretty boat. I want them to serve shrimp and horse ovaries. I want everyone to drink and I want a great soundtrack coming thru the sound system. I then want everyone to kiss my urn and say something nice about me. Then plop me in the ocean and continue the party dancing to"Brown Eyed Girl".

So shall it be written - so shall it be done.