An old buddy of mine is a top dog at a medical school. I sent him this...
"I have always been a an organ donor. But, something came up in conversation regarding donating the works to a medical school. Got me to wondering...... If I was to make such an arrangement, would whatever is left of me go straight to *** Med School? Would there be any "requirement" for involvement of a funeral home? You probably see where I am going with this. I'll get right to it... being ever frugal, can I bypass funeral expenses?... not too mention having all those former girlfriends gathering in one place in their hour of grief at my passing."
I just got a long response. Here are the pertinent snippets...
"The Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology shoulders all costs relating to interment of our donors, providing that they are cremated as part of our programme. We also cover the costs of interment in our Faculty of Medicine plot - or cover the cost to mail the ashes to a next of kin."
and... "It is not necessary to involve a funeral home, unless the family wants a service at the time of death (sometimes family members find it difficult to have closure regarding a death, when they must wait up to three years for our interment service, as we may keep the remains for that long.)
BEAT THAT for a money saving deal!!! Cost $15k for Bro to "go". And, he HAD (legal requirement) to be put in a hole in the ground in the Fair Haven Cemetary. Fair Haven me arse! I was there. It was near the Bog Spruce trees... millions of skeeters... shitty view, especially from where he ended up. AND!... I saw the guy in the $600 black suit with the somber face put Bro in. The poor fucker isn't even below frost fer fuck sake! My way, I can have my wish to have my ashes spread at the top of the Trailer Road in Partridge Flats on the Hunter's Moon. Now, that alone is worth not burying $15k in the ground in FARE Haven. That's the ticket I want.
Oh yeah, the response also said this.... set yer cups down before you read on...
"Once you have signed up to the programme, you may rescind at any time - the paperwork is not binding if one has a change of heart."
Ain't that a hoot!!!! Hahahahahaaaaa.
So... anyone else got any ideas for saving $$$ in these Hard Times in the Maritimes?