HEADS UP re: Andy's service

[WilliamPitt]

This was posted in the 'Flowers for Andy' thread by Midlodemocrat:

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66. UPDATE - CHANGE, PLEASE READ.

There is approximately $200 in the flower fund for Andy so far. Claudiajean has posted on the homepage that they are overwhelmed with flowers, but looking for some donations to defray the costs of the service.

I am going to pass on the money to her for this purpose. If anyone who has already donated objects, I will refund your money, just PM me.

===

Get in touch with Midlodemocrat via PM if you can help. The cost for the services, the space, etc. is up in the many hundreds of dollars.

Thanks.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. I am sending a check directly to Mrs. Stephenson...

to use as she sees fit. I don't want a refund.

This lady has dealt with far too much this year. I've talked with her and my heart breaks for her...and Termite, George and Charlie.

[Bozita]

2. My mother died a year ago today. Funeral costs were roughly $7000 ...

... and she already owned her grave plot.

[goodboy]

4. it's rediculous how they just rape you one last time before they plant you

creamation is the way to go I think.

[hippywife]

5. No shit!

I filled out my living will opting for donation of my entire body and my husband is going to do the same. What the hell...I won't be needing it anymore at that point.

[goodboy]

6. yup. (nt)

[Ladyhawk]

9. I did the same thing.

My whole body can be donated, but I want my brain to go to science. Maybe analyzing it will help scientists figure out more about Depression.

PLUS, if you donate your whole body, it can't be used by a fundy preacher to put the fear of god into anyone. :) I specified exactly who would conduct my ceremony and that religion was NOT to be mentioned.

[alittlelark]

7. That's what I want.... ashes to ashes

not $$ to morticians and corporate flower shops.

[goodboy]

8. donations in lieu of flowers to destroy republican fascism wherever it

rears it's ugly stinkin' head.

[Spazito]

14. Even with cremation, they get their pound of 'flesh' sadly...

everything, down to the smallest piece of paper needed, costs. Funeral services are expensive, everyone gets their last 'kick at the can' to suck every penny one might have to try and honor their loved ones. It is appalling, imo. One should not have to go into debt to honor a loved one.

[ryan_cats]

17. You've got that right

I had a family member die and the funeral home was WORSE than a used car dealer. He was giving me some BS and my fundy RW brother gave him a look that must have chilled his bones because that was the end of the spiel and we got down to business. I think my brother would have broken him in half. He was seriously in mourning but you know how that sometimes makes you angry, that was him.

The business of death is horrific indeed. I hope Andy sees all the love for him left on our planet. He's one step ahead of us and I bet he already runs the place.

[Historic NY]

19. Buried my uncle in Dec. $10024.00........

thankfully he took out a policy that helped. I had nothing fancy, my friend told us to look at the caskets on the floor instead of those prominently displayed. He worked for the funeral home and he was right. I actually got him almost the exact same 18 ga. steel one he had for his wife. I turned over his policy and they still asked for the additional $24.00.

[xmas74]

23. My grandfather was buried in Jan.

He was cremated. He passed away in a town an hour from the funeral home. The funeral home had to pick up his body, transport it back to their home, verify that it was him and then transport it back to the town that he died in (since it turns out that was the closest town that did cremations). Nice little bill on transportation alone there for what could have been an easy drive for the director instead of transporting a body round trip.

[merh]

3. .

:hug: for Andy :hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

10. Thanks, Will for posting this.

I am collecting monies for Andy's service and to help defray whatever costs the family incurs.

Anyone who wants to contribute is welcome to PM me for additional information. We have several hundred dollars already which is going to go towards the wreath, etc., that the family wishes.

Thanks, everyone, for your genorosity.

[yewberry]

11. Hey, wait!

Any flowers they have now, however many there are, will be dead by next Saturday.

*Off to ask Midlodem*

[helderheid]

12. no objection

send my money on to her - that's fine with me :) Anything I can do to help. I wish I could be there.

[acmejack]

24. Ditto.

Please keep us posted. Would that I might attend, just not in the cards. I wish I had a little more to kick in for this, but...

If need be, I will donate again when I get paid.

[KelleyKramer]

13. Is there an alterative charity instead of flowers?

After having so many friends die young, changed my habits and instead of buying flowers would always ask the family what charity they preferred.

Since I dont know Andy or his family, does anyone know if there is a preferred charity?

Regards
Kelley

[Midlodemocrat]

15. We are at almost $500 for Andy.

4 hundred and change because PayPal charges a fee which I plan to absorb.

DU, you totally rock.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

16. Here in the Keys we do it more simply

Ashes in the water, usually at the end of the dock or out the back of our boats (yes, the government says that legally it has to be out in the ocean but that is a crock of s---, and nobody pays attention to that). A kitty from friends and relatives to cover the cost of drinks and food and music for the wake, and the rest of the money, usually a substantial amount goes to the next of kin for expenses.

I know it is different on the mainland so I will send a check in lieu of flowers.

[WilliamPitt]

18. .

[WilliamPitt]

20. .

[BeHereNow]

21. Will, do we have a general fund donation going?

I saw the one for flowers, but I was hoping that
we could establish a way to make "general donations" directly to
Andy's mom and Ted to help them with the costs.
PM me if you know where I can send them a check.
In advance, thank you.
BHN

[GOPisEvil]

29. I think that's the update.

The flowers fund is being transitioned to a more general fund. Will is giving those opposed to that an opportunity to be refunded.

If you look for Midlodemocrat's "Flowers for Andy" thread, there should be more information.

Also, claudiajean's thread has addresses as well. I think.

[Lilli]

22. ...

[joanski0]

25. n/t

[Mutley]

26. I can't be there in person.

But I will be there in spirit. I'm so happy to see DUers once again rallying around on of it's own. It's a small silver lining among many dark clouds.

[peekaloo]

27. .

O8)

[symbolman]

28. All I can donate at this time is my work

Maybe someone could play this at the Service to represent me at the Service..

A Flash Memorial For Andy Stephenson by Symbolman - With Love from TBTM

I'm devastated by the news about Andy. I sat down and immediately created this flash movie memorial for him - been working on it for a full 24 hours, with tears in my eyes.

I'm afraid I don't get down in the gutter with the monsters that tortured my poor friend, I've tried to take the high road with this work. Andy was not heard to mention an unkind word about the bastards who taunted him, and so I thought he'd prefer something more spiritual for a memorial.

There's no loader for it so the music (I wrote and played it myself) may skip a little here and there, but I've done the best I could feeling pretty down about him.

Here's the link to the Flash movie:
http://web.takebackthemedia.com/geeklog/public_html/staticpages/index.php?page=20050710095608538

God bless ya Andy, where ever you are..

[Midlodemocrat]

30. Kick.

[peekaloo]

31. done and kick.

:hug: