MMD: Would you get into debt to grant a friend’s dying wish?

A.Jones

If you read the dilemma, it was not a promise or an agreement. It was their wish. By not doing it you are not backing out of an agreement or a promise, you are just not fulfilling their wishes.

One question to ask is how much money did they leave in their will, and how much of it were they willing to spend on funding the spreading of their ashes at the Grand Canyon? If they left money to others, but nothing to fund the trip, then they cannot have been that bothered about it.

russetred

I would get in touch with a church near to the grand canyon and ask for their help.Then its just a case of posting the ashes on or is that technically people trafficking?:rotfl:

Primrose

No I wouldn't. And I think it's unfair for somebody who is dying to extract that kind of promise from a friend or loved one. It's emotional blackmail and trying to exert your influence from beyond the grave. If it's such an important issue, leave money in your Will for such a task to be undertaken. If you don't have the money to do this you must entrust your executors to do the best thing they can in the circumstances.

olliedog

I would expect a friend to make their own financial provision for this if it was their dearest wish.

I wouldn't be that much in debt.

As I would not want to go to the US, I would find out if there was some organisation or firm that does this as a business, and arrange for them to sort it.

pinkpuds

I would carry out the request but I would do it at no cost to myself by selling this "human interest" story to the media - I am sure some TV company/magazine would love to pay the fare and accommodation costs for me to grant this dying wish. (This seems a far better use of their money than on some of the stories they cover!!!). Imagine the photos of sunsets/sunrise and the aaaah factor!!!

SpaceMagic

What!!??? 2000 pounds people, it's hardly an absolute fortune. If my best mate wanted to go somewhere - anywhere - on his or her deathbed, I wouldn't think twice.

A.Jones

pinkpuds wrote: »

I would carry out the request but I would do it at no cost to myself by selling this "human interest" story to the media - I am sure some TV company/magazine would love to pay the fare and accommodation costs for me to grant this dying wish. (This seems a far better use of their money than on some of the stories they cover!!!). Imagine the photos of sunsets/sunrise and the aaaah factor!!!

Scattering ashes at the Grand Canyon is nothing special though. Loads of people do it. So it is not very interesting.

sheenaf

Just scatter them in the wind. Eventually some of the ashes will get there.

I'm with A Jones on this one. My own expressed wish is to be scattered at sea, so that my ashes can go to all the places around the world that I have only visited via TV. No expense, no need to hire a boat - just tip me into the nearest river and I'll make my own way. Alternatively -

When I die don't bury me deep
just scatter me on to the compost heap
when I'm well rotted you can bung
me on to the garden in place of dung!

Sooler

mrke wrote: »

If I had promised a dying wish for a friend I would see it through. Personally I cannot comprehend not carrying out such a promise.

What if ... their wish was that you redecorate their house and cook meals and do the laundry for their family and ... and ... and ... :snow_laug

pjaj

As long as I hadn't promised to do it personally, I would try to find someone who was going there anyway, or a local funeral parlour who could do it for me at a reasonable cost. But if I was doing it myself, it would have to be when I was out of debit.