As my wife and I plan for Full-Time RVing we had to confront an issue that most of us want to put off for later.The final resting place. As it turned out, this was very easy. So we thought we would share.

We have not had deep roots for most of our adult life. I served in the Navy for almost 25 yrs. Without going into the boring details we are now located back in our state of origin - GA. We are living on Lake Sinclair near Milledgeville GA. A very nice medium size college town (Ga. College & State Univ.). Our son upon completion of a 5 yr stint in the Navy(Subs)is now finishing up his SR year at GC&SU in May of 09 and has indicated he is moving to Oregon then! We are hoping to be able to depart on FTing in June of 09. So we are trying to execute our action plan!

So I started thinking about the "What if" issue. As previously stated we really don't have any ties to any one area. I rememberered that I have access to National Cemetaries as a veteran. I knew there was a Veteran's Cemetary located just south of Milledgeville. I have been there in the past for a military org. ceremony. Being familiar with it I started my search on the internet there. It was actually part of the state of GA Veterans system and not the national VA. After determining the requirements I took my son out to the cemetary and ran it past him. We joked that he would never visit it any way.

Of course the real test would be what the DW thought. So one day after work I told her we needed to plan for the last stop and exaplained to her that I wanted to take her out to the "Ga Veterans Memorial Cemetary". She agreed and off we went.

As soon as we got to the entrance She said this is very nice. We drove around and got out and looked at things. Before we left she said this is it and "you did good, Jimbo" I love it when she says that.

She filled out the paperwork as soon as we got home. So we crossed another item off of our "to do list". I did not expect it go this well.

I shared this because I thought others might be putting this off and it may help them with their "final stop" planning. Sorry it got so long.

For any Ga veterans here is a link that may be useful. I must say that the little picture does not show the true beauty of the cemetary.
http://sdvs.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,26646926_26784035,00.html

Kudos, Jim! That was interesting... and very sweet for you to take care of that. Fortunate also that you are a veteran and have that option. By the way, thank you for your service to this wonderful country of ours!

We don't have that option, and we moved back and forth between northern and southern CA so many times that we don't really have strong ties to either. Plus, our grown children are spread out as well. I often think I will simply have my ashes spread in the upper Merced River in Yosemite, as that is my birthplace and home of my heart. But not so for DH. Consequently, we have not made those plans. I hope we will be able to soon, so that I can feel that sense of peace of having made a plan. Thank you for the reminder.
Ginger

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the post. It's one of those things that never made it on to the list for us. Hadn't given it a single thought.

Tonight for dinner, Wine, Cheese, and life talk.

It is an important thing to consider and one that I usually advise at least thinking of when asked what I consider important planning before one heads out on the road. Since we are generally an older group, it is even more important for us than for most.

I believe that to have a decision made about where the final resting place will be and perhaps at least some plans for the trip to it, is one of the best things that can be done to help the person who is left behind.

By the way, as another veteran, I have plans that use that same solution, but a different cemetery.

The Phoenix area veteran's cemetery has a nice area for ashes, that is where Trudy and I are both headed.

Bushnell, Fl has a Veteran's Cemetary near the Escappee's Park. Chapter 27 rally is Veteran's Day weekend and many of us attend the ceremony. In addition to the regular plots they have a section for cremation urns. They also have a Scatter Garden for those that wish their ashes scattered. There is a place for the usual name plaque to be posted. The whole cemetay is just beautiful and a very moving tribute to our veterans at any time. Selma

Jim, you're a very wise man. I lost my husband very suddenly and completely unexpectedly three years ago. I can't describe the chaos that you have spared your family. One day (way, way, off) you will save either yourself, your wife, or your son stress that is the last thing needed during a terrible time in life. I know, had we thought about it, both of us would have wished to spare the other and our kids. We just thought we were too young to even consider it.

Jim, good for you. I retired after 30 years of serve in the USN, and had thought about a national cemetary. Our son is buried in Punchbowl, and has a plot next to him which is reserved for a family member. My DW and I plan on being cremated and having our ashes scattered at site of choice in Hawaii, probably at our favorite SCUBA diving hole, or having our urns placed next to our son at Punchbowl. I currently have my father's ashes, his wish, until my stepmom passes on, and then their ashes will be scattered in Arizona. Having dealt with my father's funeral, without a clear plan, I recommend as you, that it is better to plan earlier than later, as one never knows when one's time will come. I expected my son to survive DW and I, and now I have a daughter who is terminally ill, so be prepared.

Jim,
This topic was very much needed by most of us, as our parents have already gone, this is a subject that we need to address before we hit the road.

My Mother had her plans made out far in advance and it sure made it easier on the family.

I hope others will think about this, it is just another part about RVing or living in general.

Dr. Kool is a Vietnam Veteran, he served in the Air Force, it was just a short time ago that he checked into his VA benefits.

Thanks again for your imput..I wish for everyone that it could go as smoothly...

Wicked Wanda

Our plans are a little different. We've decided that our bodies are just shells and are of no use after death. So, we want the cheapest cremation possible and our kids can dispose of our ashes any way they feel fit.

Some people may think this is crass or unseemly, but we both just feel that once the body is dead the vessel is of no use. We'd sooner be a pleasant memory for someone than a headstone somewhere.

John

quote:

Originally posted by Johnontheroad:
We've decided that our bodies are just shells and are of no use after death. So, we want the cheapest cremation possible and our kids can dispose of our ashes any way they feel fit.

We've chosen this route as well. Dave's parent's did this although they specified a river they'd like their ashes dropped into. Our daughter knows any wilderness area will suit us just fine. If that same river is convenient for her, that's OK too.

Linda

Even down in Yosemite Valley the Upper Merced River is a breathtaking place to spend eternity!
Up in the backcountry above the Nevada and Vernal Falls that drop it into Yosemite Valley the Merced (Mercy) River runs deep, fast and crystal clear.

While backpacking in the Yosemite back country it has has quenched some of my mightiest thirsts. It's the best water I have ever tasted.

Just this past July my 9 year old and I backpacked up along the Merced River a couple of miles above Nevada and Vernal Falls - even had a nightime bear visit too.

Meanwhile my wife stayed behind at the rig on the South Fork Merced River which provided much relief from the 100+ heat - not to mention a most beautiful setting.

I guess if died in the Yosemite area I'd like my ashes to be disposed of there - if only to give my survivors reason to visit Yosemite at least one more time.

Otherwise, any place nice nearby where I die will do to dispose of my ashes.

I want my passing to be as low-impact, emotionally and economically, as it can possibly be.

My family knows my wishes. I do not want to spend eternity in a hole in the ground when there is so much beautiful county that my ashes could drift over.

The Will of Joe Hill, one of my heroes, pretty much expresses what I want:

My will is easy to decide
For there is nothing to divide
My kin don't need to fuss and moan
"Moss does not cling to a rolling stone."
My body? - Oh. - If I could choose
I would to ashes it reduce
And let the merry breezes blow
My dust to where some flowers grow
Perhaps some fading flower then
Would come to life and bloom again
This is my Last and final Will
Good Luck to All of you

Joe Hill

Jim,being a retired clergy my wife and I bought three lots last year at at a United Methodist
Cemetery for retired clergy in Texas. Then we
purchased a policy with sky med to take us home. All the plans have been made. So until that time we full-time and volunteer at various places all over the country.

Cremation is my choice. What to do with the ashes is up to the kids. If they don't want the ashes, my notes to the kids is to sign papers for the crematorium to dispose of the ashes as the law allows.

For me to ask my children to spread my ashes at some place of my choosing merely places a burden on them to honor my wish. Sounds like guilt from the grave.

Imagine those ashes sitting in their closet waiting for them to take time off from work to spending the money to get to that remote mountain top just to spread my ashes.

My wish is for them to remember me -- not my ashes.