Secular Funeral

[Jenny A]

I should have updated this. My brother went to speak with the funeral home director about our little plan for a secular funeral. We had some worries about making it work. No need. She told him that our plan is essentially what most people who use funeral homes rather than churches are doing these days. Consequently, the use of the chapel there includes audio visual equipment. And the chapel is designed to become rather unchaple-like in a hurry. There is a curtain that can be drawn over the cross, and the alter is on wheels.

We go together Wednesday morning to complete the planning.

The snags have so far vae had little to do with the funeral service and everything to do with legalities regarding the body. In New Mexico, you can't cremate a body without the consent (notary required) of a majority of the deceased's kin. So there will be no cremation until I arrive on Tuesday and signing the consent form will be the first thing on my to do list.

Oddly, while you can scatter ashes just about anywhere on public or private (with permission) property, if you bury those same ashes, why then you are creating a cemetery, and permits are required.

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I am doing well. Getting teary over picking music and writing a eulogy, but otherwise good. Funeral planning and other busywork is very good for the living.