FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 31, 2017 • COPING WITH DEATH • THE QUEENS COURIER 39
coping with death
Baby Boomers plan unique
yet traditional funerals
Funerals have been held since the dawn
of time to honor and remember a departed
loved one. Th ere is always a common
thread -- the importance of memorialization.
Now, however, with the Baby Boomer
generation, a new element has been added
to the traditional funeral.
Calling hours and other traditional rites
are still an important part of remembrance.
But many Baby Boomer funerals
are taking on a whole new look. Th ey
are becoming very personalized remembrances
-- refl ecting the individual and
his or her interests in life.
We know that the ancient Egyptians
buried artifacts to help the departed spirit
in the aft erlife.
Excavated tombs have yielded myriad
items including games and tools that the
spirit might want.
It is interesting to note that this practice
is popular once more as Baby Boomers
request their favorite sports equipment
such as golf clubs, tennis balls and team
jerseys be placed in the casket.
Mountain bikes and canoes have been
displayed during calling hours. Even the
casket can become a reminder of the Baby
Boomers’ interest in sports.
A New York City funeral director said
that a departed football fan was laid to
rest in a casket featuring a Notre Dame
logo and team colors on panels and the
corner caps.
In Upstate New York, one funeral featured
a jazz band playing on the porch of
the funeral home.
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Another funeral highlighted the
departed’s interest in handicapping horse
races by simulating his kitchen - complete
with tip sheets and race results
broadcast from a radio.
Baby Boomers are also known for their
interest in preserving the environment.
At several sites in New York State,
as well as in other parts of the country,
“green” cemeteries and natural burial
plots are available. Th ere are no underground
vaults, no mausoleums and minimal
landscaping so the cemetery grounds
are kept in a more natural state.
Some families have asked funeral directors
to have a tree planted in memory of
the departed loved one, thus helping to
renew forest life.
Th ere are companies that blend cremated
Mar tin A . G l eas on Fune ral home L . L . C . : Th e P re fe r red Choi c e
remains with concrete to form
reef structures then place them in selected
ocean sites to form undersea “memorial
reefs.”
Th ese reefs are ecologically benefi cial
because they form a natural habitat for
undersea creatures.
Today’s funeral director is likely to be
a Baby Boomer and more than happy
to arrange a funeral for you that will be
truly memorable and a celebration of
your life.
So when you start to preplan your
funeral, be sure to discuss your desires
with your family and your neighborhood
funeral director so that you, too, can have
a truly personalized funeral.
Courtesy of NYS Funeral Directors
Association