ABC Cremations Plan

A total of 685 people participated in 32 free or low-cost events to prompt death discussions and planning ahead.Festival events included Death Cafés, workshops, movies, speakers, parties, panel discussions, and field trips to cemeteries, a crematory, the Office of the Medical Investigator and casket manufacturers. The Festival took place October 30 to November 4, 2018. The first Before I Die Festival in New Mexico took place in Albuquerque during October 2017, drawing 600 participants.Every Festival participant was eligible to enter a drawing to win a pair of burial plots at La Puerta Natural Burial Ground. The winner is Kay Ohmberger of Albuquerque, who attended the panel discussion, "Millennial Morticians with ABQ Brews," at Tractor Brewing's Wells Park location. La Puerta, located 15 miles southeast of Belen, is New Mexico's first Green Burial Council-certified cemetery. Their website is www.NaturalBurialNewMexico.com.Videos of Festival panel discussions are available on YouTube and online at www.BeforeIDieNM.com. In addition to "Millennial Morticians with ABQ Brews," panels included "Downsizing While Keeping Your Family Legacy" and discussions at the Festival Symposium. Symposium topics included "Green Burial in New Mexico," "Near Death Experiences and End-of-Life Visions," "Financial, Legal and Digital Assets Related to Death," "How to Reach a Gentle Death in New Mexico," and a panel discussion with three Albuquerque funeral directors.Festival coordinator Gail Rubin connected with parade attendees by wheeling a mini-float based on a casket built by Fathers Building Futures. She distributed materials from Festival sponsors about planning ahead on end-of-life issues.In addition to the Festival participants, hundreds more learned about Before I Die New Mexico at the popular Marigold Parade in Albuquerque. At this annual event, people dress in costumes and wear calavera (skull) makeup for Day of the Dead celebrations.Based on encouraging...

Eight of the churches in the Southern Midlands were earlier this year proposed for sale to help fund the National Redress Scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse.A revised list of properties to be sold released on Sunday still includes seven of the eight; only St Matthias' at Woodsdale has been spared a future for-sale sign.Tony Bisdee, the region's former mayor who is now a councillor, has vowed to pursue legal action after the decision to proceed with selling the historic St Mary's Church at Kempton."We would have the highest percentage of Anglican churches for sale in Tasmania," he said."I think it's a great travesty that has been imposed on the community of the historic village of Kempton and, from the wider aspect, on the Southern Midlands." "I think the local community will be considering all their options into the future, including legal options, because this church was granted for Anglican worship, not to be sold to the highest bidder."I think the original grant has some legal aspects to it that I believe could perhaps restrict the sale of this church. I'm sure the community here at Kempton will not take this lying down."He said he hoped Tasmania's amended Burial and Cremations Act would help protect the gravesite of Tasmania's first Victoria Cross recipient, John Hutton Bisdee, who was laid to rest at Jericho's St James Church, which will also be closed and sold.Backlash not unexpected: Condie Rhiannon Shine)</span> </a>The Bishop of Tasmania, Richard Condie, said he expected backlash from some parishioners.The church announced earlier in the year it would sell off more than 100 properties, including churches, to fund its contribution to the National Redress Scheme for sexual abuse survivors.After a meeting between the Diocesan Council and the Appeals Panel, about one third have been removed from the list.Bishop Condie said the right balance had been struck betwee...

And just like weddings, they can be really expensive.A study published in 2017 found the average price of a basic funeral service to be $4,902. But when I went to a well-known price comparison website, I found the average cost of a burial funeral as $7,464 and the average cost of a cremation funeral as $7,442.You can do them cheaper, or spend more — it comes down to what you want and can afford. But knowing your options ahead of time will help you make the right choices.I spoke to Jenny Briscoe-Hough and Asha Dooley, two women with extensive experience in the funeral industry, about what options there are in Australia for farewelling a loved one.But it is worth noting, costs for services and goods associated with funerals vary from state-to-state and between funeral homes, so it's best to get a quote from a provider in your local area.Want weekly updates from ABC Life delivered to your inbox? Sign up to our newsletter.Do we have to have a funeral?There are no laws to make you hold a ceremony to mark someone's death.But there are rules around what you do with their body. See the Australian Department of Human Services' What to do following a death website for details on what has to happen when someone dies.Image The ceremonial part of a funeral can be whatever you want it to be. A simple, informal gathering if you wish.(Pexels: Helena Lopes)There are also legal documents that have to be filled in and filed — death certificates, for example — and this is where a funeral director can be very handy as they will know exactly what forms need to be filed, by whom and where in your state.If you don't want a service, you can have a direct committal — when your body is taken straight from the mortuary or place you died and cremated or buried without any service.Preparing for your own death isn't as scary as you might thinkIf you care about your family and those who will be left behind when you die, the best thing you can do is make some plans&nbs...