Comments on: A View To Die For – 32 Story High Rise Cemetery!

By: Terrell Edds

Terrell Edds — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 05:58:48 +0000

Oh, if only everyonewould read and follow this advice! The world would be a betterplace.

By: anon

anon — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:52:49 +0000

And what about those that have a fear of heights?

By: TNP

TNP — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:03:58 +0000

My siblings don’t think much about visiting my father’s grave, saying “he’s not there.” But I like to go and reflect back on his life and to think ahead to when his body will be raised whole again from that cold, dark pit. I also take the time to thank God for the gift of life given to me through his body and for all the blessings I received from his life. I feel at peace when I’m there.

By: Bender

Bender — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:43:55 +0000

My mother wants to be cremated when she dies and have her ashes scattered. We don’t agree as to this being moral, but what should one do when their loved one’s wishes are problematic like this?

Say, “no.”

Last year, my mom plopped a durable healthcare power of attorney in my lap and asked me to sign. Like most “living wills,” this one was poorly drafted — not only very ambiguous, but seemed to equate things like food and water with “medical treatment.”

I told my mom right out, “no, I’m not signing this, I’m not going to starve and dehydrate you to death.” My mom the nonlawyer objected that that was not what the document said. Her son the lawyer said, that is exactly the way that it will be interpreted. So I told her, the only way that I’m signing this is with the understanding that I am going to use my own best judgment — prolife Catholic judgment — if ever she is incapacitated and I must make healthcare decisions on her behalf. She said, “fine.”

There are times when one must say “no” to mom and dad. Our obligation is to love and honor them. To love and honor them does not mean to go along with their foolish, wrong, or ill-considered wishes. It means to refuse to go along with them and, instead, do the right thing.

As for myself — I don’t know why anyone would want their body all burned up like that. I really, really fail to see the appeal in it.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:54:42 +0000

Does anyone know much about the history of the Catholic cemeteries in DC? Holy Rood is now owned by Georgetown University but was once the parish cemetery for Holy Trinity, correct? Was St. Mary’s Cemetery founded by St. Mary’s Parish? It seems to have a lot of German names, whcih would indicate it was but also some Italian names. I believe all graves have been sold but are all used or could an owner sell one? What about Mt. Olivet? Wasn’t there a Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in DC?

By: Cynthia BC

Cynthia BC — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:36:08 +0000

In terms of the ashes-sprinkling, morality issue aside:

Cremation doesn’t completely reduce the body to a powdery pile of ashes. There still will be bone fragments.

Many jurisdictions restrict or prohibit the scattering of cremains, particularly in beach communities. Private property owners in such areas don’t care to have people washing up on their shoreline.

By: anon

anon — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:38:29 +0000

I’m glad you brought up the topic of cremation, as my mother and I disagree on the topic. My mother wants to be cremated when she dies and have her ashes scattered. We don’t agree as to this being moral, but what should one do when their loved one’s wishes are problematic like this?