A funny thing happened during the traditional Labor Day barbecue at my parents' house this month. As we sat outside sipping cool beverages on a warm holiday afternoon, my aunt casually asked me, "Have you seen the new casket store at the mall?"
Not your typical conversational topic, I admit, but my family knows I'm always interested in this stuff. The store is called 'Til We Meet Again and it officially opened September 8. It sounds like this is a franchised location that sells caskets, urns and other memorialization items, such as jewelry and picture frames. This isn't the first such store in the Milwaukee area and it won't be the last, but only time will tell if it generates anything more for its owners than a lot of conversation.
As we discussed this further, my aunt wondered aloud why someone would buy a casket "ahead of time." I thought of several reasons, including someone with a terminal illness who wants to plan his or her funeral in advance, but before I could reply, my uncle said, "And what would you do with it until you die?"
From there, the conversation spiraled out of control as the three of us tossed out ideas for the best use of a casket by the living. The favorite was to stand it upright, add some shelves and use it to store books.
Would you purchase a casket or urn in advance of need? What would you do with it until you died?
I do not want to be buried in the ground – Ew! If i was to be purchase a casket prior to my death, I would use it as a kayak and fulfill my wish to go boating down the Amazon.
I can’t see buying one before I die. But if I new my time was limited and if I did want to be buried, then I might. Personally I don’t want to be buried in the ground. But then again, my husband said that I won’t know because I will already be gone… My grandmother did pick out everything when she knew time was coming and it did make it much easier on the family. So in those cases I would say yes.
If you have the extra disposable income, I say why not? The prices of such items will only rise, not fall. And, with the rate of inflation in today’s economy, I’d jump on it.
If one thing in this life is for certain it is that we all will die. It’s destine for all of us, so why not save as much money as possible?
I know several people who have purchased burial plots and headstones many, many years in advance with no hesitation or questioning. So, why would something as important as a casket or urn raise such questioning?
I think it’s an excellent idea.