Page 155 - The Circle of Life

morgue etc where it becomes more complicated. Get your lawyer involved to

obtain the death certificate if you feel unable to do so yourself.

You cannot under normal circumstances burry your spouse where you please like

in your garden but if you have a farm you may get permission for the family
funeral plot on the farm. Make sure what the rules and regulations are in your

own country. It is normal to cremate your spouse if he should die on an
overseas holiday and bring him home for burial. This will very much depend on

your insurance and make sure you have such a policy before you leave. The
cremation is to save money.

At the same time tell us what do you want at your funeral? Any special songs?

An oak or pine coffin? Whatever suits you is fine as long as it is legal. I am sure
your wife will want to give you your last wish. You don't want her to feel guilty

and wondering if she made the right choices.

Some cultures demand an open casket. Is this what you want or not? I have

dealt with violent death since I was born and seen thousands of dead bodies in
my time. To me it is no big deal but it may be to children attending your funeral.

Thus I always recommend a closed casket but I find the older generations want
to make sure it is you in the coffin. They are haunted by the idea of burying a

stranger and not saying goodbye. Each to his own!

Death certificate

This document is crucial and usually issued by the doctor who witnessed your
spouse's death. It is rather important that it is given to the surviving spouse as
soon as possible as the insurance companies will not pay out one dime unless

she provides it. Nor will the banks and executor do anything without it.

The cause of death stated on the death certificate may be controversial. We had
a case here a few years ago where a doctor was crucified because he gave the

cause of death as AIDS and our then president simply did not believe that a link
between HIV and AIDS existed. This is a medical matter to be decided by the

doctor. Personally and the law agrees I think he should write down the truth and
that is it.

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