BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...

Subject: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 02:24 PM

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?

cheapasturkeyturdbeergnu

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Sooz
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 02:59 PM

My Dad completed all of the paperwork to do this. Unfortunately, when he died, Mum chose not to go through with it.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:03 PM

That is a glitch.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:13 PM

When you feel yourself going, trot on up to the Med School and die on their doorstep with note in your hand reading "Please use this used-up old body any way you see fit. I'm done with it."

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:15 PM

I like it! In the US - mortuary industry has a big lobby. Explains why they can charge so damn much.

I was going to be cremated anyway and have my ashes returned to the US and interred at my daughter's grave. You can arrange a memorial service without the aid of funeral parlour ghouls. Can be done at church, village hall, function room at local pub or at your home with small group of family and nearest friends. The dearly departed need not be in attendance.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:26 PM

In some places, medical school have too many offers....and IF this became popular, I'm sure they would all have way too many.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:33 PM

Cremated... Bro too. The laws here are crap. Dunno about the Church thing, tho. I suppose that can be done here too. But, you would still have to go out back.... in a hole.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Melissa
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:33 PM

you can also donate your body to mortuary schools.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:34 PM

Simple solution, Bill... don't wait. Why pass up a bargain?

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:35 PM

Mortuary schools? Donate? Screw that.... I want $15k for me, at least!

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:38 PM

I may just MAKE the offer... I had intended cremation, but...gee...

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Melissa
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 03:41 PM

yeah, that's kind of how I feel about it too, gnu.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 04:00 PM

Well, I am a 250 pound Irish Canuck. I may ask for a lot more. Hey, the price of everything is going up, eh?

And, I may be easy, but I am not cheap. >;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Feb 09 - 09:59 PM

I can guarantee you only one thing about laws in the US regarding death: Every state is different.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 01:26 AM

gnu, before you do anything rash make sure they pay the $15K BEFORE.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 19 Feb 09 - 05:45 AM

Certified cheque, Canuck Bank. >;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 28 Feb 09 - 02:16 PM

I just cut my own hair with clippers. A #2 on top and a #4 on the sides and rear.

How does it look?

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: maeve
Date: 28 Feb 09 - 02:42 PM

Really smooth, gnu. The birds will love you even more with clippings for their nests floating around.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Feb 09 - 10:34 PM

Must be interesting to cut your own rear. Can't imagine why you'd do that, but I'm not one to stifle your creativity.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 07:04 AM

Just for that, Rapaire, I am not going to tell you how I managed to get the neat, straight trim in the rear. Everyone at the party said it was a nice haircut.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Joybell
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 04:38 PM

Oh thanks, gnu. Now I can re-tell my funny story about when we tried to do this. True-love has always wanted to donate his body a medical school. He had thought he would tell them they could play tricks on each other with bits but I said they might not accept him on those terms so he applied using his best serious manner. I think it was about May when we applied.

Then we got a phone call from the University of Melbourne Medical School to say that, "Thank you but we have enough bodies until after Christmas".

I'm still puzzled. We're not dead yet and it's been 3 years. Should we give them another chance, I wonder?
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: mouldy
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 04:49 PM

My parents both decided to donate their bodies to medical science.
When my dad died in the September we were told that the fridges were full and they couldn't take him - the university had been on holiday for 3 months, so they hadn't been using any.

So if you are going to do it, you'd better make sure you die when they can actually take you! (We eventually buried him, and then my mum decided not to go ahead with her donation).

Funnily enough, I read an article only about a week ago on the idea of donating your body, and it seemed as if they were actually needing people to do it nowadays (my dad died in 1985).
I must admit the idea appeals to me.

Andrea

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 04:51 PM

Well, if it's that busy, I suggest you get in the q asap. Don't wanna get beaten to it by any deadbeats.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Tangledwood
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 04:56 PM

"Then we got a phone call from the University of Melbourne Medical School to say that, "Thank you but we have enough bodies until after Christmas".

I'm still puzzled. We're not dead yet and it's been 3 years. Should we give them another chance, I wonder?"


When the federal government sent around forms a couple of years ago asking people to register for organ donation it did rather concern me that there was no mention of the donations being called in only after the organs were no longer in use.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: gnu
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 04:57 PM

Well, I have an in. One of my buddies is a mucky-muck at the med school. He was chief of staff at our biggest hospital here. I have no doubt that he would like to visit with me again.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Joybell
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 09:07 PM

OK gnu. May we come too, please? After we're dead. Air fare can't be much compared to funeral costs and we wouldn't need food enroute or anything.
Please? Please? Ask your friend. Go on.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Mr Red
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 05:52 AM

I read one wheeze - ring your friends when they are out and leave a message - they will ring you back and the main cost is on them.

I didn't say it was friendly! But of course, phone pricing is such that there isn't much saving these days, usually.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 10:32 AM

'So... anyone else got any ideas for saving $$$ in these Hard Times in the Maritimes?'

I dunno about the Maritimes specifically, gnu, but here are some ideas.

Don't buy bottled water.
Don't buy soft drinks.
Don't use tobacco.
Don't buy a TV or get cable.
Don't keep a savings account which pays a low rate of interest while running a credit-card balance which charges a high rate of interest.

The money saved can then be spent on things that bring joy, such as music.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Tangledwood
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 03:51 PM

"'So... anyone else got any ideas for saving $$$ in these Hard Times in the Maritimes?'"


I saved $120,000 yesterday - I didn't buy a Porche.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Gurney
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 04:13 PM

Another idea is to leave your body for forensic scientists to dispose of. They'll leave you to rot for a while in a tree or stuffed in a dustbin in the woods, or be predated on by hedgehogs, then cut you up to see how to use the evidence in 'real' cases. They call the area 'The Body Shop.'
Historical precedent. My ancestors exposed bodies to avian and insect scavengers, and only buried or stored bones. Separated.

Subject: RE: BS: Cost Saving Ideas - beat this...
From: Joybell
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 06:19 PM

Some of mine probably went into the sea. Now there's a thought. There are more sharks biting bits off people at Sydney beaches this year. Not all that many, actually, but you know how it is with shark attacks. Anyway. How about shark-decoy food.
Cheers, Joy