My parents were from the depression era, and from a town that didn't have a "Catholic" mortuary until the 1940's. Because of the lack of money and facilities, bodies were routinely laid out at home. Their recollections of that practice do not look kindly upon the it, and have certainly dissuaded me from considering it. Dealing with death is bad enough when it's done at a mortuary - who wants to host it in their home?

But to each his own, as Mrs. Murphy said as she kissed the cow.

In some ways we live lives insulated from the human experiences that have defined our race for centuries - what good is convenience, mechanics, and all the things American up scale culture pushes people to strive for if they are no longer part of basics? Such as death.

I was very close to my father, he died of cancer many years ago. Truth, having him at home a day or two would have allowed all his kids and wife to pour all that love/grief into something better than the classic canned funeral.

Mourning together, family, friends, and neighbors, with all the weeping and grief would have been a better ending to a fine man's life.

Also remember burial at sea. I like the thought of crabs and misters octopuses and assorted sharks getting a bite or two. Organic as well.

Still, the last thing I would want hanging around the house is a "stiff" that does not pull their weight. You die, it is out the door with ya!!

But the smell, and all the people coming round to pay respects, etc - That would get on my nerves.

When I go, I want to be laid out at the Bonney-Watson on Broadway, with an open casket, so my huge fan base can come see me. I imagine it will be something akin to Norman Maine's funeral in "A Star is Born" (The Judy Garland version, of course)

Or, just spritz me with some Lysol, buy me an "All Abord America" pass and sneak me on an Amtrak train. They'll know what to do with me.

Prop me up on the front lawn for the kids to play with.