There was a 'body viewing and family visitation' on Wednesday (I was unable to attend), followed the next day with a memorial service in a small Iowa town. His body was cremated, and the urn with his ashes, was buried on our mother's breast bone.
I had never heard of that being done before, so I asked the staff if I could stick around and watch. Once his urn was set in place, I requested their approval for me to toss in the first shovel of dirt. They agreed. After the first shovel of dirt, I asked how much I could do and was told I could do as much as I wanted; so I did - all of it. I, literally, buried my brother!
Another interesting thing has happened since I buried my brother. A close friend who was my emotional support through my loss, had a dilemma of her own. When she lost her spouse not that long ago, he was buried. Prior to his death, she had already decided she wanted to be cremated. My loss has been a blessing in disguise, for her. After much thought about her own demise, she has informed her family that she wants to do the same thing. She plans to be cremated (her own wish), and will be buried on her spouse's breast bone. She is able to follow her own heart, and still be able to be laid to rest, with her spouse. ~nr larson-lenz