wills

There are now 'funerals' where the body is cremated without any service, allowing the family to have a celebration in anyway they like - or not! If i hadn't had with dinner I might be able to remember what they are called!

* earnshaw* . You can easily find out online about donating your body from Human Tissue Authority. The family can request the return of the body afterwards for a private burial or cremation or the medical school can hold a committal , memorial or thanksgiving service but all this can be 2-3 years afterwards. There is no guarantee that your body would be accepted and in that case the normal arrangements apply for a funeral. If you have any family you really must tell them if you decide to do this as it would be a terrible shock for them to find out once you'd died. Your family could hold a party or a memorial service in lieu of a funeral at the normal time. But either way, they need to know. My personal view is that whatever is arranged after a death is nothing to do with the person who has died but is for the comfort of those left behind and to enable them to share memories, reflect and give thanks as they wish. I know what you mean about people should do more whilst someone is alive, but we are not all perfect and I think some opportunity to collectively grieve and give thanks for someone's life can be a necessary and important rite for us to experience

There is a previous thread about just this subject I think maybe someone could find it and post you a link earnshaw I totally agree with you but as some said my family would be distressed if they weren't allowed to say goodbye via a funeral so I am in the same dilemma.