26 MAY 25, 2017 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM COPING WITH DEATH Baby Boomers plan unique yet traditional funerals Funerals have been held since the dawn of time to honor and remember a departed loved one. There is always a common thread — the importance of memorialization. Now, however, with the Baby Boomer generation, a new element has been added to the traditional funeral. Calling hours and other traditional rites are still an important part of remembrance. But many Baby Boomer funerals are taking on a whole new look. They are becoming very personalized remembrances — refl ecting the individual and his or her interests in life. We know that the ancient Egyptians buried artifacts to help the departed spirit in the aft erlife. Excavated tombs have yielded myriad items including games and tools that the spirit might want. It is interesting to note that this practice is popular once more as Baby Boomers request their favorite sports equipment such as golf clubs, tennis balls and team jerseys be placed in the casket. Mountain bikes and canoes have been displayed during calling hours. Even the casket can become a reminder of the Baby Boomers’ interest in sports. A New York City funeral director said that a departed football fan was laid to rest in a casket featuring a Notre Dame logo and team colors on panels and the corner caps. In Upstate New York, one funeral featured a jazz band playing on the porch of the funeral home. Another funeral highlighted the departed’s interest in handicapping horse races by simulating his kitchen - complete with tip sheets and race results broadcast from a radio. Baby Boomers are also known for their interest in preserving the environment. At several sites in New York State, as well as in other parts of the country, “green” cemeteries and natural burial plots are available. There are no underground vaults, no mausoleums and minimal landscaping so the cemetery grounds are kept in a more natural state. Some families have asked funeral directors to have a tree planted in memory of the departed loved one, thus helping to renew forest life. There are companies that blend cremated remains with concrete to form reef structures then place them in selected ocean sites to form undersea “memorial reefs.” These reefs are ecologically benefi cial because they form a natural habitat for undersea creatures. Today’s funeral director is likely to be a Baby Boomer and more than happy to arrange a funeral for you that will be truly memorable and a celebration of your life. So when you start to preplan your funeral, be sure to discuss your desires with your family and your neighborhood funeral director so that you, too, can have a truly personalized funeral. Christina Mudryk (nee Stalzer) of Glendale died on Saturday May 13, at the age of 88, a native of Rossbuchel, Gottschee, Yugoslavia. She was the Beloved wife of the late Walter Mudryk, Loving mother to Helen Schneider, Kathy Romaniello and Walter Mudryk Jr., mother-in-law to Michael Schneider, Joseph Romaniello and Janet Selg-Arzuaga, Cherished Grandmother to Marisa, Anthony, Jason, Kat, Jillian, Joseph Jr., Lyndsie, John, Jamie and Jenna and Sweet Omi of 6 Great- Grandchildren Anthony Jr., Michael, Matthew, Alex, Savenna, Mikayla and Chase. Courtesy of NYS Funeral Directors Association
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