The loose end we don't like to talk about

[fandblaj]

Hello folks,
My wife and I are about to join the world of full timers or become road warriors as we like to call it and there is one loose end left to deal with before we shove off. It's the issue of how to handle funeral arrangements if, heaven forbid, one or the other of us should pass away while traveling. The reason this came to light for me is that I was with my favorite uncle last Tuesday installing an air conditioner and received a call the next morning that he had passed away during the night. No one was expecting it so it threw us all into a state of confusion. It got me thinking about our new adventure and how we would deal with it while on the road.
Any info on how you full-timers have prepared for this unfortunate event will be greatly appreciated.

[MSHappyCampers]

Annette and I have decided to be cremated, so that should solve that problem! If one of us dies, the other will just find the nearest place that does cremations, then take the remains back home for memorial services!

Another factor that we considered is that the younger generation does not believe in putting flowers on family graves as we have always done.

Finally, there is the cost involved. Around here, the average cost of a funeral is $12,000 +, where a cremation is around $1500. We just can't see throwing away that much money that the surviving spouse can use to live on.

[Skip426]

JMHO: Look for a funeral home with a national affiliation , and explore the possibility of pre-paid cremation, and make sure all your blood relatives know about your plans and the location of wills and other documents that are necessary to close your estate; in the case of a common tragedy. With a lawyer or notary .
Appoint a couple of executors with instructions of their order , just in case the first executor pre-deceases you. Carry with you contact instruction documents, for people you trust to carry out your wishes, and they should be individuals who would normally not travel with you.
I'm sure other members will be along with more ideas , but this is what my DW and I have set up.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Annette and I have decided to be cremated, so that should solve that problem! If one of us dies, the other will just find the nearest place that does cremations, then take the remains back home for memorial services!

Another factor that we considered is that the younger generation does not believe in putting flowers on family graves as we have always done.

Finally, there is the cost involved. Around here, the average cost of a funeral is $12,000 +, where a cremation is around $1500. We just can't see throwing away that much money that the surviving spouse can use to live on.

This is the best way.

Coincidently, dear friends were going to take a motorcycle road trip to visit us across country a month ago. 400 miles before reaching us he began feeling a little sick. They continued on. When they arrived he felt so bad that he went the the ER. He died of a fast-moving virus affecting his heart - two days later. Their son flew in and helped her with storing the motorcycle until it could be pick up by truck by a friend and they had the cremation done. They both flew home with him and as she stated "he got his first plane ride and a window seat to boot". He was to be scattered in his favorite fishing stream back home.

This is our directive to our kids. We definitely don't want a burial in a cemetary.

We keep an updated list of our financial information with our kids - how to do's, passwords, addresses, etc. We're trying to make it as easy as possible for them. They are just fine with our plans.

[Nana25K]

Yep cremation for us, small memorial, don't spend money.

[terryl]

As a funeral director for almost 17 years, now retired, I'll weigh in on this topic. I'm not even going to get into the cremation vs. traditional service and burial debate. That is an individual choice depending on your wishes, family history and circumstances.

Many people die away from home, especially in predominantly snowbird communities. Any funeral home is capable of providing what is referred to as "ship-out" services, where the deceased is properly prepared and delivered to an airport for return to home. The casket can either be purchased at the shipping or receiving funeral home. If it is purchased at the receiving funeral home, a temporary shipping container is used for the transfer to the final destination. If you already have pre-arrangements made at a funeral home in your home town, it is best to contact them when a death occurs away from home. They will then co-ordinate with a funeral home in the city where the death has occurred.

If your wish is cremation, any mortuary will offer this service, whether they have an in-house crematory, or contract out this process.

It is not necessary to seek out a national chain of funeral homes. In fact, their prices are generally higher than an independent family owned business. Most prepaid funeral plans are transferable, and most funeral homes will accept any plans at their face value, which may or may not cover their actual fees.

Other than that, the best advice I can give is to make a few phone calls before making a decision. Most funeral homes now have an on-line presence, which makes things a little easier.

[Old-Biscuit]

We have arrangements with a 'whole body donation'........hospital harvests viable organs then cremation

Figure we're done with it....MAYBE someone else can benefit.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

We have arrangements with a 'whole body donation'........hospital harvests viable organs then cremation

Figure we're done with it....MAYBE someone else can benefit.

We are both listed as donors for anything usable. But DW has liver cancer and I have MS which will limit what they can "harvest"

[530ktm]

Originally Posted by fandblaj

Hello folks,
My wife and I are about to join the world of full timers or become road warriors as we like to call it and there is one loose end left to deal with before we shove off. It's the issue of how to handle funeral arrangements if, heaven forbid, one or the other of us should pass away while traveling. The reason this came to light for me is that I was with my favorite uncle last Tuesday installing an air conditioner and received a call the next morning that he had passed away during the night. No one was expecting it so it threw us all into a state of confusion. It got me thinking about our new adventure and how we would deal with it while on the road.
Any info on how you full-timers have prepared for this unfortunate event will be greatly appreciated.

Look into the Neptune Society, my parents had this service should anything happen to them while on the road. They pick up the body, handle cremation and death certificate. Both my parents have used this service now even though they were both at home when they needed it.

[jondrew55]

I don't care what they do with me. Cremation, curb-side pick up is fine. Viking funeral would be cool

[JMonroe]

Originally Posted by jondrew

...Viking funeral would be cool

How would that work for us RVrs? Light the coach on fire and push it over a cliff?

I've noticed that most any campground or RV park we've ever been in has a dumpster, that would work for me, but if local ordinances won't allow that, I agree, cremation. Hmmm, could we do that over a campfire?

[eddieelk]

Fandblaj. Your ID doesn't list if you are retiring in a motorhome or towable trailer. If it's a motorhome, join FMCA. The membership includes a policy which will furnish a driver to drive your unit to your home, and I believe it covers airfare for the survivor. A member is my FMCA Club, passed away in Arizona, and they covered the above. Eddie Elk.

[jondrew55]

I think my wife would not want sacrifice the RV. I was thinking our inflatable kayak.

Originally Posted by JMonroe

How would that work for us RVrs? Light the coach on fire and push it over a cliff?

I've noticed that most any campground or RV park we've ever been in has a dumpster, that would work for me, but if local ordinances won't allow that, I agree, cremation. Hmmm, could we do that over a campfire?

[NevadaNick]

We have wills outlining our desires. Family knows about it as well as who our attorney is so they can contact him when that day comes.