Posted on Jul 20, 2016
Are Hellenic funeral Rites sanctioned in the U.S.?
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Can I request Hellenic funeral Rites in the US, and actually have it happen? To clarify;
Hellenics do not believe in burial (it is disrespectful, and can prevent the soul from leaving the body). When a Hellenic dies, we perform a pyre funeral (body set on a pyre and cremated through open flame). If I put this in my Will, could it be sanctioned in the US, or would I have to have my body carried into international waters, if not another country entirely?
Hellenics do not believe in burial (it is disrespectful, and can prevent the soul from leaving the body). When a Hellenic dies, we perform a pyre funeral (body set on a pyre and cremated through open flame). If I put this in my Will, could it be sanctioned in the US, or would I have to have my body carried into international waters, if not another country entirely?
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I think you are a little off in your "Hellenic Funeral Rites" view. The Greeks buried their dead, the exception being Athens; the Athenians normally cremated their dead and placed their ashes in an urn. Where are you going with this? In the US you can not be cremated in the open. Are you in fact referring to a Viking Funeral Pyre? Now that's a way to go out!. Semper Fi.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
I told some buddies that I would like a Viking Funeral, they said it seemed like a waste of a good boat.
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Good points as the environmental laws are pretty strict about open burning. Interesting thing, when my aunt passed away she wanted to be cremated and have her ashes spread at sea. Enter Califonistupidia. Can't do that. The only way you can is to put the ashes in a special box with a trip lid, go at least 2 miles off shore, submerge the box some minimum distance, then pop the cork. That was over 30 years ago. Things are probably orders of magnitude more stupid now.
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SN Greg Wright
Pfft. I would'a done it anyway, if it was me, Captain. Taken her urn to the beach and just did it. (Not a comment on you, but rather a comment on ignoring idiocy like that.)
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TSgt William Meyer
SN Greg Wright - My Dad was cremated a few years ago, we saved some of his ashes to be sprinkled around his favorite places and buried the rest with my Mom. The funeral director was very cool about it too.
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CAPT Kevin B.
Alas SN Greg Wright I was just a kid without the training of good CPOs in later years.
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SGT Dave Tracy
CAPT Kevin B. "Californistupid", I got to remember that one! I'm with SN Greg Wright on this one. I'd have done it anyway; best to beg forgiveness sometimes than to ask permission.
Actually, I kind of did do that. I was a fairly young buck when my mom passed, and I simply took position of her cremains, sprinkled some of her ashes in a park in Duluth MN, and the rest went into Lake Superior, and from there, it will reach all the Great Lakes and the oceans beyond. I asked no questions about the propriety of what I was doing nor sought permission from anyone before I did it.
Actually, I kind of did do that. I was a fairly young buck when my mom passed, and I simply took position of her cremains, sprinkled some of her ashes in a park in Duluth MN, and the rest went into Lake Superior, and from there, it will reach all the Great Lakes and the oceans beyond. I asked no questions about the propriety of what I was doing nor sought permission from anyone before I did it.
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SPC. It is me again. There are in fact places in the US where one can request a Funeral Pyre regardless of faith. It is a fairly new undertaking, Colorado for one. Anyway I hope this helps.
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