Kentucky man bids those with no loved ones a dignified farewell

[OneGrassRoot]

Last edited Sun Aug 4, 2013, 10:20 AM - Edit history (1)

Edit to add link to latest "Help a DUer" post, speaking of honoring and respecting others, in this case acknowledging their courage in asking for help.

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In Louisville, Ky., there's a civil servant who has devoted his life to death. "Because I finally realized that this is where I belong, and I was called to do this," says Buddy Dumeyer, who, after retiring as a police captain, sought out and got a job with the Jefferson County coroner's office.

Specifically, he wanted the job burying Louisville's poor and homeless. For years, these people had been buried, unceremoniously, in a potter's field. You can tell by the grave markers how the county couldn't have cared less.

"There had to be a better way," Dumeyer says. "When you and I come into this world, we have a mom and dad, loving arms around us, people taking care of us. When we leave this world, when we give people back, we don't want to give them back alone."

To that end, Buddy now makes sure no funeral in Louisville is ever unattended. He has teamed up with three local high schools to provide volunteers, not only for carrying the casket, but for mourning the loss.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57595778/kentucky-man-bids-those-with-no-loved-ones-a-dignified-farewell/

[xchrom]

1. du rec.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. I thought that getting the high schools

to work with him to provide volunteers was great.

Performing this labor of love for the lost should certainly leave an impression on the kids who participate. I imagine it would make them ponder any number of things.

Thank you Mister Buddy!

[wildeyed]

6. Exactly.

Those kids are learning compassion and learning about death, which is such a taboo subject. I would love to see my kids involved with something like that when they get old enough.

[Little Star]

3. k&r

[qualitybeatsquantity]

4. Something I don't get you are dead why do you even care

what happens to the meat sack that was your body?

Hell dump me in the woods and let the wild critters feast on the corpse!

It is how one lives life is what is important what happens after you die is only for the living.

It used to be a guy would come around with a cart , ringing a bell telling people to bring out the dead, ya chucked the body on a cart then they dumped the cart full of bodies in a big hole and covered it with dirt.

Life was way simpler in times past especially when it came to death and dying.

Too many people are afraid of death, they need to embrace it and live life and stop worrying about the dead and what they think.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. I appreciate the honoring of the person's life...

that is the message I take away from this, and hope the young people who volunteer take away from it as well.

I dislike the expense involved with funerals and such, but the dignity they are gifting these now-departed people with is priceless.

I'm agnostic, so I don't have a strong belief system about what may or may not happen after death. Even if the departed aren't aware of this gift, it's a gift for those who are participating.

Honor and respect.

[qualitybeatsquantity]

7. The time to honor and show respect for someone is when they are living

too little and too late once they are dead.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. Well, no shit...lol

But that's part of what I hope these young people take away from these experiences. Learning how people become invisible and aren't cared for in our current system.

Maybe they'll choose to be active, engaged citizens so that people's lives matter -- so people can thrive, rather than simply survive and then die, unnoticed.

[brer cat]

10. +1

I think it could be a powerful experience for teens.

[qualitybeatsquantity]

12. Hopefully it will work out that way.

[MH1]

13. Funerals are for the living.

In this case, it's to show that every person has value and deserves to be treated with respect. It's a great way to involve young people in a teachable moment, as others have posted on this thread.

I say, as I contemplate the more eco-friendly way for my survivors to handle my eventual passing rather than the traditional nonsense with an expensive casket, yada yada.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Ya know, I was going to post this story a few days ago, right after it was on the tv news . . . .

. . . . . but decided not to because of the thread pissers.

Here's the deal. This Dumeyer guy is a good person. He is doing something for people he doesn't know. He is giving them a modicum of dignity at the final human action of their (now ended) lives. For the overwhelming majority of people, what he is doing has meaning.

We get there are people like you. I am kinda close to the same views you hold, actually, so I get what you're saying. But sometimes it is better to just exercise a little self restraint and keep your thoughts to yourself. What you're doing is disrespecting Dumeyer (good guy) and diminishing even further the acutely diminished people to whom he is ministering (<--- meant in the NONreligious sense in case you had doubts).

The world is better for Dumeyer having been here. For what you have to say about him . . . not so much.

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Well said, Stinky! :) n/t

[Ed Suspicious]

14. Right on. I could not agree more.

[flvegan]

16. Well said. n/t

[Hassin Bin Sober]

23. Agreed!

[narnian60]

26. Yes, agreed. nt

[markiv]

18. because the example might give some comfort and dignity to those who are next?

those who have lost all, and are walking around with sadness at the thought of what will happen when they go?

that at least one person, even if it's a stranger, will find their moment of passing worthy of a moment of respect?

can you really tell me that you've never had a day made by a gesture of respect or kindness, or ruined by someone who treated you like you were dirt?

it's about a gesture a decency, towards those who may not have had their share of it in this life

without mentioning specific example cliches, the human proposition has always been one of choices, of whether to rob others of their dignity for one's own gratification, or to give of one's self toward a little empathy. history shows that people have become hooked on both

this guy's setting a great example for the young people volunteers, he's sowing the seeds of a decent future society

[hunter]

19. If we can't respect our dead, who require very little...

... what hope is there that we will respect the living?

[Logical]

27. Reread the story and then self delete your post. n-t

[Mojorabbit]

15. What a wonderful person. His is a life well lived. Thanks for posting! nt

[oldandhappy]

17. Nice man

thoughtful and kind

[onethatcares]

20. very good thought put into action.

a while back there was a story about a man that made cremation urns out of old furniture for veterans. He used donated materials and some of his work was amazing.

I guess he had enough wood because no one came to pick up the cherry and oak I have after telling me they would.

You would be surprised at the good lumber that gets thrown out in the way of furniture.

[OneGrassRoot]

22. Is this the story?

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/tampa-bay-woodworkers-come-together-give-veterans-proper-burials/1247951

What a great idea.

And what a shame when good lumber goes to waste.

[onethatcares]

25. yes

that's the one.

[devils chaplain]

21. I'm an atheist, but...

I feel like this is a wonderful thing to do.

[Auntie Bush]

24. Some people are just so loving, compassionate and caring.

Two bits he isn't a Republican. You know...the ones who don't give a sh*t about people.