TresSugar

May He Rest in Yeast

GiggleSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

This 67-year-old Chicago man is planning for the future - with the end in mind. He's survived five whopping heart attacks and has come to terms with passing away someday, but not before getting his custom made Pabst Blue Ribbon beer can inspired casket completed in time for his departure. If the dude's life "revolves" around his fave beer, then why can't his afterlife? The obsession may sound absurd and sick, but where there's a beer - there's a way. See the "end" result below.

Would You Attend a Family Funeral of an Ex?

DearSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Two of Cameron Diaz's ex-boyfriends - Justin Timberlake and John Mayer - attended the memorial service for Cameron's father held this weekend. Maybe they just wanted to support her or maybe they had a good relationship with her dad, either way I found the news rather touching.

Sometimes it's important for exes to put aside their differences during tough times. I definitely have some ex-boyfriends who I would reach out to if they had a death in the family. I've also built relationships with exes' family members, especially their parents, whose funerals I would want to attend if tragedy struck.

What about you? Do you have exes who you'd want to be there for if they had a death in the family? And how would you feel if an ex did the same for you?

Bauer-Griffin Online

All Signs Point To...

GiggleSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:30:00 -0700

...Dead! (Since when do funeral homes advertise?)

Source

WTF?!

GiggleSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

"Wrong Font Chosen For Gravestone," The Onion reports.

WTF?!

GiggleSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:00:59 -0800

Talk about beating a dead horse.

Source

Rhode Island Governor Vetoes Same-Sex Funeral Rights

TresSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Rhode Island's state legislature thought it would be a good idea to give same-sex partners the right to plan each other's funerals when one partner passes away. It's a right married couples have, of course. But Gov. Don Carcieri said: not so fast! The socially conservative leader vetoed the bill because it's part of a "disturbing trend" threatening heterosexual marriage. I'm confused. How does a gay person planning a loved one's funeral have anything to do with someone else's marriage?

Those who support the veto point out that Rhode Island recognizes neither gay marriage nor civil unions. Still, many people are shocked that the governor would intervene to deny same-sex partners some comfort during a hard time. The state's attorney general has called the veto "cruel and heartless," and lawmakers in the Democratically-controlled legislature said they would work to override the veto. Hopefully they will succeed!

DIY Burials: Less Expensive, More Intimate?

TresSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Due to the recession, most of us focus on how much we spend going about our daily lives, but we don't often budget for death, which can be very pricey. An increasing number of people are finding ways to decrease the cost of burying a loved one - they're holding DIY funerals.

Compared to the average cost of a funeral, which runs about $6,000, taking over part or all of the burial preparations can cost family members as little as $250. In states where a funeral director is required, home funerals are still less expensive. And loved ones say it seems like "the natural, loving way to do things." It also sounds a little creepy. The New York Times explained the home burial process for 92-year-old Nathaniel Roe:

They washed Mr. Roe’s body, dressed him in his favorite Harrods tweed jacket and red Brooks Brothers tie and laid him on a bed so family members could privately say their last goodbyes.

There are countless organizations and individuals (called "death midwives") who help families with things like setting up cremation, moving the body to a cemetery, or securing a burial permit (if available) when a family decides to bury their loved one on their property. Would you ever consider this?

Source: Flickr User KaCey97007

WTF?!

GiggleSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:00:00 -0700

It's the brave new world of clever funeral home commercials! How absolutely morbid. Golden Gate Funeral Home in Dallas is rolling the dice and betting that instead of being all sullen and sad about death, they can get you excited about your beautiful, decked out funeral. Maybe they're targeting the goth and/or emo audience, cuz I choose life, thank you very much. (Nice white fleet, though!)

The How-To Lounge: Sending a Sympathy Card

DearSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:00:37 -0700

Writing a thank you note is tricky enough, but even harder is mastering the art of sending a sympathy card. Still, writing a formal sympathy note to a friend who has lost someone close to her - whether you are attending the funeral or not - is a gesture that's always appreciated. Finding the right words can be tricky, however, so to find out how to send a sympathy card, read more

Hand-write your note on formal stationery or an understated note card. Stay away from playful or cutesy designs.
Use the tone you would when talking to the person you are writing. If it is a close friend, you should be conversational, but for family or work acquaintances, use a more polite, reserved tone.
Open the message by expressing your sympathy and succinctly acknowledging the loss, and use the deceased's name. It can be something as simple as: "I was so saddened to hear about the recent passing of your dad, George."
Personalize your note with some sort of tribute to the deceased. You could either list some of the qualities you liked about the person or offer a few of your best memories of the deceased. Short anecdotes are especially good.
Include some reminder to help the recipient feel hopeful, along the lines of: "You are lucky to have such a great family around to support you at this time."
Finally, sign off with an indication that the mourner is in your thoughts or, if you are a religious person, your prayers.

Do you have more ideas about how to write a sympathy card, or have you received any that you thought were particularly good? If so, please share in the comments below.

Source

The Golden Arches Just Got Grim

GiggleSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 04:00:00 -0700

How appropriate. This is exactly where a lifetime of Big Macs will lead.

Source