Would you buy a coffin online ?

What_a_rip_off

erdd2 wrote: »

No, not now not ever!

Each to their own... 72% disagree with you ;-)

I'd like to think this was the turning point and that people self manage their own funerals if not only to save a packet but to send a message to FD's that we're not putting up with unsightly costs any more!

What_a_rip_off

tankgirl1 wrote: »

Awww - that sounds lovely! I hope I can pursuede (sp?) my family that that is the way I want to go when the time comes! They are more likely to all wear black, be teetotal, and be deadly serious so as not to disrespect the dead :eek: I'd feel more disrespected if they did that - I'd rather they all told funny stories about me (and I've clocked up a fair few already!) had a drink on me/ for me, and generally had fun catching up with each other at my expense :D:beer:

I been to a couple of non family related funerals and they were thoroughly depressing affairs !

I'm so going to instruct my family to enjoy themselves ! anyone caught being miserable will be kicked out ;-)

fin7

My mum says that there's to be no wake at her funeral and anyone that enjoys themselves she has full intentions of haunting

harrys_nan

tankgirl1 wrote: »

Awww - that sounds lovely! I hope I can pursuede (sp?) my family that that is the way I want to go when the time comes! They are more likely to all wear black, be teetotal, and be deadly serious so as not to disrespect the dead :eek: I'd feel more disrespected if they did that - I'd rather they all told funny stories about me (and I've clocked up a fair few already!) had a drink on me/ for me, and generally had fun catching up with each other at my expense :D:beer:

I so agree, the cheapest way possible I say as long as they make SURE im dead, then they can party :beer:

Ames

mumoftwo wrote: »

How about furniture that turns into coffins, like this one:

http://inhabitat.com/coffin-shelves-furniture-for-life-and-death/

That's fab! Although you'd have to make sure you kept the instructions safe for how to turn it back into a coffin, and make sure you were nice to whoever in the family is good at DIY.

righter wrote: »

I would advise anyone to check here,re DIY funerals...the handbook is very good
http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/index.php?page=book-shop

If my son had died at home,it would have only cost the price of the wood for the coffin...can`t remember if a death certificate costs anything.

I have to say,a DIY funeral was something that I felt strongly about any way...but expected it to be me or hubby,hence I already knew about the book,the procedures,law etc

Death certificates are £3.50 each.

fin7 wrote: »

My dad died in January of this year, he had cancer and knew he was dying so in January of 2010 he paid for his funeral, I sat down and sorted it with him. He said he'd seen a documentary and they had wicker coffins and he fancied a one of those, when I told him the price he said "what!!! to hell with that, I'll have the cheapest!"
Then we got to the part about having your body done so people can come and look at you, I could see him mulling this over then he said "nail the bloody lid down, if they cant come and see me now why the hell do they want to see me when I'm dead!"
Next on the list was the funeral car, it was £150 for a car, dads said " when you get to my age you've got a bus pass, if they want to go to the crem they can go by bus, the rest will have to buy a ticket"
Flowers next, "no, no flowers, can't stand the smell of funeral flowers!" I've still not worked out how flowers and funeral flowers smell different?
Last his ashes, "do what the hell you want with them, I'm hardly going to care by then"
The cost was £2300, we did get a family car (£150) after he died, couldn't see myself turning up at my dads funeral on a bus to be honest.

A few months ago I paid for my mums funeral, its the same as dads but with a car and its coming in at nearly £3000, big difference in price.

Oh hugs, my mum died in April.

Her funeral cost £2300, we accidentally chose the cheapest coffin - we were shown pictures without the cost and the one we thought was nicest was the cheapest.

The most expensive bit was the crem fees, followed by FD fees and then coffin. The flowers were reasonable, but the fees to put it in the paper was high.

I'd be happy to have my coffin bought online, but I wouldn't want the family to have to do all the stuff that FD's do - they'd have to keep my body at home, and as they wouldn't be able to do a DIY embalming it'd smell. Plus making all the legal arrangements would be too much to expect when they're (hopefully) grieving - I don't think I'd have been able to handle that with mum, and I'm a practical person.

It's interesting how people have different attitudes. Mum had cancer and when I told her not to worry about paying for her funeral (it had been on her mind a lot) because there'd be a grant (there turned out not to be), she accused me of being money grabbing and wanting to do it on the cheap.

On the other hand, dad says he'll be dead so wont care, we can put him in a cardboard box and have a bonfire in the back garden.

Then again, it was a lot more real for mum as she knew she only had a few months, it's still a theoretical in the future thing for dad.


MessedUp - I love the Kiss coffins, Dimebag Darrell was buried in one.

What_a_rip_off

fin7 wrote: »

My mum says that there's to be no wake at her funeral and anyone that enjoys themselves she has full intentions of haunting

I can't imagine a family funeral without a wake, but saying that my Mum's side of the family have less of a sense of humour about these sort of things.

I do like the thought of coming back and haunting those who didn't raise a glass for me, now that could be fun.

What_a_rip_off

Ames wrote: »

I'd be happy to have my coffin bought online, but I wouldn't want the family to have to do all the stuff that FD's do - they'd have to keep my body at home, and as they wouldn't be able to do a DIY embalming it'd smell. Plus making all the legal arrangements would be too much to expect when they're (hopefully) grieving - I don't think I'd have been able to handle that with mum, and I'm a practical person.

From what I've read so far embalming is only really necessary if you are going to be on view. I've also read that some mortuaries can hold your loved one until ready for pickup and transfer for burial/ cremation etc.

You can also transport a coffin in any vehicle, so any of your builder mates could transport you if required :-)

However a lot of this does rely on someone being willing to undertake the tasks. I can see funeral packs being available soon. Total 'take care of it yourself type instructions' - because on face value it does look relatively easy to do.

What_a_rip_off

In reference to my previous post there is no need for me to write anything about arranging your own funeral as there is wealth of information at the natural death website...

Try this link

http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/index.php?page=diy-funerals

escortg3

What_a_rip_off wrote: »

Each to their own... 72% disagree with you ;-)

I'd like to think this was the turning point and that people self manage their own funerals if not only to save a packet but to send a message to FD's that we're not putting up with unsightly costs any more!

A coffin at my local funeral directors is £160.00 and i dont think that is expensive especially as it comes with a free lining and they dont charge for a gown if you wanted one. Also the name plate is included for that price.

Cant imagine you could get all that for less, and no hassle.

I dont think i would or any of my family would be in the right frame of mind to deal with a funeral ourselves.

Also if my mum died in a nursing home they want the body removed within 24 hours. Where would i put her.

What a terrible thought. Let the funeral directors do there job they are experienced in.

What_a_rip_off

escortg3 wrote: »

A coffin at my local funeral directors is £160.00 and i dont think that is expensive especially as it comes with a free lining and they dont charge for a gown if you wanted one. Also the name plate is included for that price.

Cant imagine you could get all that for less, and no hassle.

I dont think i would or any of my family would be in the right frame of mind to deal with a funeral ourselves.

Also if my mum died in a nursing home they want the body removed within 24 hours. Where would i put her.

What a terrible thought. Let the funeral directors do there job they are experienced in.

Actually £160 isn't to bad, I'd go with that, but where is the valeu in the remaining 2-3k charge ? I just don't get it.

In my opinion and from personal observation, there are no better people to deal with a funeral than your own family. You know how your family members deal with grief, does a stranger ?

We had one FD who was totally cringe worthy, and I really wanted to slap him. Yes he may have known best how to arrange a funeral but as for dealing with the living he didn't have a clue.

As a whole I don't think this is a thread to say that FD's should be replaced or removed. They do offer a service for which most will go for in the end.