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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Here's the way to do it. All of the arrangements will have to be made pre-mortem and Uncle Sam will not fund it directly. You could set up a trust and use a portion of SGLI, VGLI to cover the costs.
http://www.crestone-end-of-life.org/support/start-an-eol-group.html
http://www.crestone-end-of-life.org/support/start-an-eol-group.html
The Crestone End of Life Project arose from the wish to provide mindful, compassionate afterlife care, as well as a range of disposition choices. Experience has shown us that working consensuallyand empowering others through respect, education and openness results in a group that works together selflessly, with high intentionality and confidence in its service to others. If you wish to establish an end-of-life care group, we suggest the...
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SPC (Join to see) Have your body legally cremated, and specify what you want done with the ashes.
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I have read quite a bit regarding this in various cultures, they no longer exist, at least on paper. When it comes to rights and freedoms, one does have a certain amount of rights when it comes to faith. You may be able to take that approach, however there are significant hoops to go through to prove an existing faith that is not otherwise (actively) recognized.
Out of my personal curiosity, from where have you gained this following of Hellenic rights?
Thanks for sharing.
Out of my personal curiosity, from where have you gained this following of Hellenic rights?
Thanks for sharing.
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SPC (Join to see)
CSM Darieus ZaGara I do apologize for the serious delay in responding to you. But to answer your question:
There used to be a Hellenic Temple of Athena in Fayetteville, NC. A friend of mine invited me out while I was still a self-proclaimed Agnostic. I went and attended a Moon Ritual and got a chance to talk with the clerics while I was there. Every question I had, they had an answer. Every doubt that I carried, they had a solution for. The faith as a whole just made sense. It was that "click" moment where all the pieces seemed to finally fit into place for me in a way that Christianity never did. Now, understand, I have and hold no animosity to the Christian Church, nor it's faith. But as a religion and a doctrine, I simply could not bring myself to follow it, as I was unable to invest myself in a belief system that required so much of what I considered blind faith. Feel free to message me at any time if there's more I can help you with!
Blessed Be!
There used to be a Hellenic Temple of Athena in Fayetteville, NC. A friend of mine invited me out while I was still a self-proclaimed Agnostic. I went and attended a Moon Ritual and got a chance to talk with the clerics while I was there. Every question I had, they had an answer. Every doubt that I carried, they had a solution for. The faith as a whole just made sense. It was that "click" moment where all the pieces seemed to finally fit into place for me in a way that Christianity never did. Now, understand, I have and hold no animosity to the Christian Church, nor it's faith. But as a religion and a doctrine, I simply could not bring myself to follow it, as I was unable to invest myself in a belief system that required so much of what I considered blind faith. Feel free to message me at any time if there's more I can help you with!
Blessed Be!
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I must admit, I have no clue, however,MIT's obv a uniquely interesting question certainly...I'd read the Nordic countries especially Vikings had that, though I have not clue if I'm right, or if it's still done at all, of course...
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SPC Christopher Simpson
ok i'm curious. why wouldn't it? i don't believe in the being set on fire thing but if thats your belive i don't see why they wouldn't. you save them (the Gov.) money on a stone and land so i don't get the difference.
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SPC Christopher Simpson
okay valid point, but then my question is if its not traditional and legal would it then be covered if those are your wishes? (ik some limitations apply)
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