Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Jan 10, 2008, at 5:43 AM, clhw wrote:

> Gene -- Is there any permit/application to authorities involved?

I suspect it is a local issue. I know of no federal laws. Yet.
> This is a subject we've discussed a couple of times on our place. My  
> recent
> heart attack makes it more relevant. The local Mennonite cabinet  
> makers
> maintain 3 sizes of plain, wooden caskets which we could get if  
> needed. If
> you follow Torah/Scripture/Bible, the body will be buried before the  
> sun
> sets and there is no embalming involved. I'm thinking about getting
> somethine more up-to-date in writing.

Human burial is an issue seeking far better resolution. Rising urban  
land values, absurdly high cost of undertaker services and common  
sense call for new ways. The 1974 book, The High Cost of Dying by Ruth  
Mulvey Harmer began a national discussion. From time to time I read of  
human cemetaries on private land. Pet cemetaries are a fairly common  
business. Like any business, starting a human cemetary on homestead  
land would require a sound business plan. You will have time for  
research.
> One subject which came up pre-surgery was a living will.

The only adults who do not have living wills are those who have not  
taken seriously the potential consequences. Think Terry Shiavo.

> Anyway, one of the orders of business around here, at least for me,  
> will be
> attention to updating my possessions will and doing a living will of  
> sorts,
> so I'd appreciate thoughts from people.

Chris and I are this week doing the yearly update of our living trust.  
We use the Nolo Press book: Make Your Own Living Trust. It came with a  
CD that has all the forms. That is what we also used to make our wills.
>  And I'd rather not wind up a wax blob!

I wonder how much of that is because of the non-food stuff that people  
eat.