The Pickup

It was several days between viewing the body and getting to pick up the cremains. I already said I work in an animal hospital, when animals are cremated by the place our hospital recommends, the cremains are returned in a pretty white gift bag. The container inside the bag has been picked out by the owner....

I told the ladies I worked with I would need a gift bag for my shipping container (my cousin was getting me an urn from his funeral home). I had only had one other experience with human cremains. I used to work at a Mail-Boxes-Etc. One time when I worked there someone called and asked if I would ship human cremains, and I said yes. They were brought in a cardboard box, which I put carefully inside another and packed it with styrofoam shipping peanuts and labelled and sent them off. I didn't think it was weird. I didn't even ask why. 

When Allen was ready my Mama went with me to pick up the cremains. I took the gift bag with me, and went inside. They took me to this room and I didn't know that was going to happen. I was REALLY FREAKED OUT. It was some sort of little sitting area with tissues and books and low lighting and well, weird. It reminded me of some sort of pastor's waiting area. They told me I could sit there as long as I liked. I asked if I had to. 

The nice lady was taken aback and said no, I didn't have to. I asked if he was already in there and she told me the container was on the table to the right (it was blocked by the door) so I walked in, looked at the container and said something like "No, I'm good, I'd like to just take him and leave."

These poor sweet souls who work at the funeral home. I know they thought I either was or needed medication of all sorts. She brought out this awesome bag, with velcro and zippers and a nice strong handle, put the shipping container (which is industrial and super cool looking btw) inside and handed me the bag. 

That's how I took him home. I put him by the fireplace for a while, still in the bag. The rest of the day went by and it got to be bedtime. My Mama asked me to take him upstairs or somewhere because she was a little creeped out at the thought of sleeping in the same room as his ashes. I carried the shipping container upstairs and tucked it into the covers. I told him goodnight and then I tried to get some sleep. The next day involved driving to Birmingham to carry him to his funeral service and to visit with our oldest and dearest friends.