Final Arrangements

We've had some plan changes since I started telling everyone that visitation would be at Woodlawn.

After finding out that Woodlawn wanted almost $5,000 to cremate Boone plus fees, of course, for the rooms that were higher than any 5 star hotel charges.  I think it's criminal to charge such fees when people are distraught and maybe are not experienced in such things.  But unfortunately for them, I have experience in such things.  Daddy's cremation cost was about $700.

My "Other Husband" got on the Internet and found an Honest Funeral home; one fair with their pricing.  For those of you in the Nashville area, and you find yourself in need, please check out Highland Hills Funeral Home on Brick Church Pike.  They are going to go to Woodlawn to pick up Boone's body, provide the container to move him in a dignified manor, refrigeration, cremate his body, and provide an appropriate vinyl box for his ashes for $695 + tax.  Pretty damn fair.  Very professional.  The Obituary will run in the Thursday edition of the Nashville Tennessean, and the next issue of the Portland (TN) Leader.

Needless to say, we are not going to do Woodlawn at all.  Not being cheap, just trying not to be stupid.

Boone had two things that he wanted.  1) to see the critters, and 2) to get back to the condo.

Bless Harold, he brilliantly thought of having the visitation at the condo.  Boone will get one of his final wishes, his ashes will be at the condo for visitation with family and friends.

Visitation will occur between 4 & 8 PM Thursday and Friday evening at our condo.

The address is:
700 12th Avenue South
Terrazzo Building
Unit 1511
37203

Boone's ashes will be, as requested, "blown up".  Friends and family are invited to gather on July 3rd, 2014, at the farm, barring some catastrophic event.  We will celebrate his life and offer him a farewell toast with the biggest firework I can get, even if I have to hire a professional company to launch him.

In lieu of flowers, we are going to have a collection bowl for donations to the Sarah Cannon Caner Center for Blood Disorders at the visitations.  SCCC paid for all of Boone's treatments, drugs, everything beyond our OOP deductible.  I have no idea what the final tab will be, but it could easily over $3 million.  I understand that the transplant alone runs about $1M.  I hope to hand deliver the donations to Dr. S. so that they may continue their good work.

If you live outside of Nashville, donations may be mailed to:

Sarah Cannon Center for Blood Disorders
250 25th Ave North
Nashville, TN 37203

Please indicate that your donation is for Boone.  (And if all you know is "Boone", they will know who it's for.)

The doctors, nurses, techs, specialists of all kinds, even the housekeeping staff are the best I've ever seen.  Not a slouch in the bunch.  They are amazing people doing incredibly difficult work.  They get attached to their patients, they know their friends and their families.  They shared their stories with us and we got to know them as friends.  I know I will miss these wonderful people.