Who Wins The Battle Over His Ashes
A real-life tale of a family dispute over the final resting place of a loved one.
The story I wrote about my Aunt starts like this:
“When I was in my teens, my uncle died.
He was a bit of a dick when he was alive.
Drank too much. Was known to be violent with my Aunt Marg. He was prone to shooting at the bats that came out of their attic when the sun went down. I remember, as a kid, lying underneath the picnic table so I’d be safe from whatever shenanigans the parents got up to with the guns.”
This article narrates an intriguing story about my Aunt, her deceased partner, and his ex-wife. Here’s a free link in case you don’t have a Medium membership.
It explores how personal wishes and religious beliefs can clash after death, leading to unexpected disputes over what should be done with the ashes of the departed.
Here are the main ideas in the story:
- My Aunt had a hard life, a partner who was abusive and she was a widower at a young age.
- After years of hardship, Aunt Marg found happiness with a new partner who treated her well. They both agreed on being cremated upon death and having their ashes scattered in their backyard.
- Upon her partner's sudden demise, an ex-wife appeared demanding a traditional burial for him based on her religious beliefs despite knowing it went against his wishes.
- Despite initial resistance, Aunt Marg decided to let go of the fight but devised a clever plan.
To find out what it was, check out the story here.
This story highlights how deeply personal decisions like end-of-life arrangements can become complicated when different belief systems intersect.
It also underscores the importance of clear communication before it’s too late.