When I Die ...

When my father died, I had to return to California from the desert island where I had been living, Johnston Atoll. By the time I arrived, my sister had made funeral arrangements. All I had to do was to arrange burial and to act as executor of the estate. My father had chosen cremation for my mother, so I chose the same for him, mingling their ashes. At the same time, I chose a niche for the eventual deposit of my ashes. I made no additional arrangements for disposal of my body, figuring I had plenty of time to research the subject.

I have, over the past two decades, continued to research the subject, which has resulted in receiving mountains of mail (and email) about burial plans, burial insurance, cheap caskets and so on. Everything seemed to have an unbelievably high price; dying isn't cheap.

Except when it's free.

About two months ago, I discovered Science Care (info@sciencecare.com or http://www.sciencecare.com). The want my body for educational purposes and perhaps to salvage a few spare parts for people in need. When I go on to the next level of the game, somebody can call Science Care for me, they will arrange for my body to be picked up and, eventually, return my ashes. None of that concerns me, as I expect to be playing the game at the next level, but it will spare my family some expenses and having to make arrangements.

After contacting Science Care, they sent me some paper work to fill out and have witnessed by two people. Delia and Cathy were my witnesses. I returned the forms and then, today, received my registration cards to carry with me. There are four cards, one encased in plastic. One phone call will take care of my spent carcass. If somebody decides to hold a memorial service, that's their thing; I won't be present, I will have moved on.

I've done what I can to make my eventual departure as easy as possible for my family.