Funerals are not necessary. Some want to show their respect, while the deceased often have no say in the matter.

Both my mother & father requested a simple cremation, with no service, & their ashes be scattered in the garden.

I would like to revisit the Pacific islands, so after a similar cremation with no ceremony, I wish to be scattered at sea. No memorials, or grave stones for me thanks.

Funerals are optional and so should burials be.
As far as I am concerned, once my body stops serving me, it could be dumped in the green organic-recycling bin. Those who want should also be able to bury the bodies of their loved ones in their backyard. Having the body used for science is also a worthy option.

Those who succumb to social pressures/expectations, should not complain when they receive the bill.

Dear Yuyutsu,

I appreciate the first paragraph of your post.

However, one thing we humans have in our power is to complain. Whether our complaints are justified, reasonable or meaningful that is one thing we can do. To tell a person that they should not complain is asking that person to deny his or her humanity.

Dear David,

Well, I suppose it is about the nuances of the English language: I never even contemplated forbidding others to complain, what I meant by "should not" was that it would be improper/incorrect/unwise to complain under the circumstances.

Moreover, there is the "cry wolf" effect: if we complain about every little thing, then when a real catastrophe approaches, no one will take us seriously.

1. Benjamin Franklin- hospitals for the poor not because it was good for the poor- but good for the rich.

2. The user pays principle is one that is probably fair- But people die without money- we could provide a budget/ respectful/ hygienic/ civilized death process. A shroud as David F suggested and cremation. Of course we should be civilized enough to allow those who want to to view the body- expensive body preparations should be curtailed. Anything else can be provided by their family or their religious community. I don't have a problem with people paying for extra embellishments. People shouldn't be forced to pay for dying and people saying a few words. This could be covered by the taxes that they pay for in their lives. The government appears to force people to pay for certain things.

3. This is similar to the homeless situation- I can't see why we can't provide a cheap secure metal box to sleep in- and simple vegie soup twice a day- and a toilet block- at least in major cities. Sadly the engineered breakdown of the extended family and community has caused these issues. If there is an increase in the number of homeless this is a warning canary- we need to understand why this is happening not for the poor but for the loss in productivity that it represents.
The individualist "consumer society" envisaged by Edward Bernay's in the 1930's to control the faceless and dangerous herd has some interesting and deleterious side effects- including "if it feels right" philosophy.

Adam Curtis- The Century of the Self- Happiness Machines

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0720m7r
http://cosmolearning.org/documentaries/the-century-of-self-2002/1/

4. In traditional village societies we make sure no one drops out- the old watch out that the young move into a job- the young look after the old- the old offer wisdom and child care to the children. Now the old are not allowed to babysit- shipped away from their families. This is not a proper community.

Mass society is too hard but some activities require masses- what is the compromise?

There are too many people in the world.

Yuyutsu,

Thank you for the comments. I agree, particularly on family members digging a hole and place a family member there themselves. Finding the right person for the work, will cost nothing.

The problem is people have been sent a message (via a lot of advertising, marketing and traditions) that funerals (via a paid service provider for example) are civil and are the best way forward. That equates to a business seizing on people's emotions and seeing them pay financially. Charities getting involved have also played to emotions.

There is nothing wrong with buring a family member in a backyard, on a farm or on a private property. Many cemetaries run by local Councils are costing a lot of money to keep in good condition.

When one of my grandparents died many years ago, a ceremony was held at their church, there no was no exchange of money, people brought food to share and a cremation occured later. On the day of the ceremony I got to meet one of my grandparents friends (many of them) from years ago and some relatives I had never met before.

Hasbeen,

<<I would like to revisit the Pacific islands, so after a similar cremation with no ceremony, I wish to be scattered at sea. No memorials, or grave stones for me thanks.>>

As stated I will be giving my body over for medical research as I see the benefit in doing so compared to giving thousands of dollars to a business for a private service to use a bland space for some people to speak at and to be transported to be buried somewhere.

Canem Malum,

I agree with many of your sentiments on this topic and your wider discussion points, so thank you. A mix of Goverment and other support (like from churches, groups, families, friends etc) can address many issues in society at large, taking ethics into account.