EmeraldPrincessOnline

EmeraldPrincessOnline
I read the obituaries daily -- lots and lots of obituaries from several different sources. (Don't ask.)

I noticed one this week that brought something to my attention I had never heard of or seen before.

A funeral home in Port Orchard, Washington, Rill Chapel, http://rill.com, is now offering Webcasts of funeral services. This was astonishing to me.

I checked it out and here's what they reveal on their Web site:

"PERSONALIZED TRADITIONAL PACKAGE * - $4,295. - includes limited & complete packages plus-

1. Webcast- broadcast of ceremony on internet (placed on "on-line" memorial).
2. Video Tribute added to "on-line" memorial.
3. Upgrade to 150 Themed Trifold Tribute Folders (in place of 100 Bifolds).
4. 16"x20" Themed Memorial Portrait or Personal Panel for casket.
5. 100 Themed Thank-You cards."

Truly, they are on the cusp of the industry. (If I decide to have a funeral for myself, I will choose the utilize the full services of Rill Chapel. However, at this time, it is my intention to donate my body to the University of Washington.)

As I surveyed other features and services on the same funeral home's Web site, I noticed something even more startling than the Webcasts.

They also advertise a service (by a company in another state) that will create a diamond from the "carbon of your loved one" as a lasting memorial. Can it get more bizarre than this? I thought the Webcasts were extraordinary, but now being able to wear "Grandma" on a chain around your neck, or in a ring with a "laser inscription" of her name on the stone is beyond extraordinary. (see below)

"A LifeGem is a certified, high quality diamond created from the carbon
of your loved one as a memorial to their unique and wonderful life. The
LifeGem diamond is more than a memorial to visit on the weekends. It is a
way to embrace your loved one's memory day by day. The LifeGem is the most
unique and timeless memorial available for creating a testimony to their
unique life."

...and all for a small fee of just $2,000.00-14,000.00 depending on the cut (ouch! Sorry, Grandma) and carat size. If the price is more than you afford, they'll even store Grandma's remains (for a cool $1,500.00 fee) until you can save up enough dough to requisition the pressing of the diamond "from the carbon of your loved one."

Happy Mother's Day to Mom (and Grandma) -- almost. Just think how those rosy-cheeked little grandkids will smile and have that extra-bright twinkle in their eyes when they're wearing you around their necks.