One of the greatest tribulations a person (or persons) can experience is the demise of a relative, good friend or long time co-worker. The closer one was to the deceased, the more suffering one experiences.   When death occurs there is not much anyone can do except, if they choose,  go through the ordeal of a funeral. People left behind think they have to show that a very elaborate funeral is appropriate for the one that died. Some people call the most prestigious funeral home they can find – the cost is not important.  They feel that they need to give the dead the best coffin made out of the best wood, the best silk and lace lining, etc., etc.  It can cost thousands of dollars.  They want to make sure that the deceased are very comfortable and cozy and know that they were very much loved. They also go to great expense to make sure that they are interred in good company with other dead people.  They have beautiful stones carved with their names and dates of birth and death on them!  People visit their dead and bring them flowers.  They talk to them.  People that go through all this may not realize that they do all this for themselves.  It makes them feel good and shows the love they had for the deceased.  Somehow our society forces us to display all those signs of loving and caring.  Unfortunately, the deceased do not feel anything.  They do not see anything or hear anything either.  They are dead, gone, and no longer exist on this worldly plane.

I believe that a simple cremation is fine.  People can place the ashes in a beautiful urn and keep it on the mantel.  Some people scatter the remains in the ocean or in the forest.  The deceased will not notice any difference.

Memorial day celebration is a great satisfaction for ourselves and no one else!

I believe that people should be honored (if they deserve it) when they are alive.  It is useless to honor decaying flesh!