February 11, 2009 3:23 PM
- Text
Funerals To Die For
(CBS)
For thousands of years, the rich and powerful have been buried with weapons or treasures, and with great fanfare.
Now, more and more "average" Americans are planning their own funerals, personalizing and customizing them, going out in style, in ways that are sometimes elaborate, sometimes non-traditional -- and sometimes -- even fun -- perhaps making the Grim Reaper a little less grim!
The Early Show explores them in a three-part series, "Funerals To Die For."
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008
Thinking Inside the Box
In South Korea, some people are getting a jump on the grim reaper, staging their own funerals, as a way of appreciating their lives.
As CBS News correspondent Celia Hatton reports, they go so far as to get sealed into coffins for 15 minutes and have gravel thrown on them.
To watch Hatton's report, .
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008
Making Your Own Funeral Tribute Video
Tribute videos for funerals are becoming big business.
Many baby boomers are forgetting about traditional home videos and opting for elaborate, high-end productions to share with future generations. And they're spending big bucks while they're at it!
CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy told the story of Jack Susser, who set out to make a tribute video and ended up starring in a $75,000 short film!
To see Tracy's report, .
For more information:
www.thetributenetwork.com
Monday, Feb. 25, 2008
Planning Elaborate, Sometimes Fun Funerals
Boomers are at the forefront of the movement, as Tracy explained.
He spoke with someone who might best be described as a "funeral concierge" -- Mark Duffey, who runs Everest Funeral Planning. Tracy also chatted with two people who already know just how they want to go to the Great Beyond. To see that Tracy report, .
Then, he took viewers to "Big Mama's Kitchen" at the Wade Funeral Home in St. Louis. You can't cook there -- the room is actually a set -- but the kitchen-like design has helped make mourners feel more at home. Tracy and Wade's director, Debora Kellom, also walked viewers through Wade's sports-themed room. To view the walkthroughs, .
In New York, The Early Show's Russ Mitchell and Maggie Rodriguez displayed a Harley-Davidson hearse, and a casket that's also a couch!
For more information, check out these sites:
http://www.tombstonehearse.com
http://www.everestfuneral.com/trialoffer
http://www.memorialspaceflights.com
http://www.lifegem.com
http://www.neptunesociety.com
http://www.casketfurniture.com
http://www.eternalimage.net
Now, more and more "average" Americans are planning their own funerals, personalizing and customizing them, going out in style, in ways that are sometimes elaborate, sometimes non-traditional -- and sometimes -- even fun -- perhaps making the Grim Reaper a little less grim!
The Early Show explores them in a three-part series, "Funerals To Die For."
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008
Thinking Inside the Box
In South Korea, some people are getting a jump on the grim reaper, staging their own funerals, as a way of appreciating their lives.
As CBS News correspondent Celia Hatton reports, they go so far as to get sealed into coffins for 15 minutes and have gravel thrown on them.
To watch Hatton's report, .
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008
Making Your Own Funeral Tribute Video
Tribute videos for funerals are becoming big business.
Many baby boomers are forgetting about traditional home videos and opting for elaborate, high-end productions to share with future generations. And they're spending big bucks while they're at it!
CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy told the story of Jack Susser, who set out to make a tribute video and ended up starring in a $75,000 short film!
To see Tracy's report, .
For more information:
www.thetributenetwork.com
Monday, Feb. 25, 2008
Planning Elaborate, Sometimes Fun Funerals
Boomers are at the forefront of the movement, as Tracy explained.
He spoke with someone who might best be described as a "funeral concierge" -- Mark Duffey, who runs Everest Funeral Planning. Tracy also chatted with two people who already know just how they want to go to the Great Beyond. To see that Tracy report, .
Then, he took viewers to "Big Mama's Kitchen" at the Wade Funeral Home in St. Louis. You can't cook there -- the room is actually a set -- but the kitchen-like design has helped make mourners feel more at home. Tracy and Wade's director, Debora Kellom, also walked viewers through Wade's sports-themed room. To view the walkthroughs, .
In New York, The Early Show's Russ Mitchell and Maggie Rodriguez displayed a Harley-Davidson hearse, and a casket that's also a couch!
For more information, check out these sites:
http://www.tombstonehearse.com
http://www.everestfuneral.com/trialoffer
http://www.memorialspaceflights.com
http://www.lifegem.com
http://www.neptunesociety.com
http://www.casketfurniture.com
http://www.eternalimage.net
Popular Now in CBS News
- Teen's Facebook Sex Scam
- The Best Pregnancy Tests
- Cyberbullying Continued After Teen's Death
- Eight Delicious Foods That Help Fight Belly Fat
- Which Yogurts Are Healthiest?
- How Long Foods Stay Fresh In Fridge
- Perks of Five-Hour Energy Put to Test
- "Designer Babies" Ethical?
- Could Protein Shakes Harm Your Health?
- Ten Healthiest Fast Food Chains
- Best Sleep Positions To Rid Aches, Pains
- Best Low-Tech Cell Phones Suitable for Seniors
- Can Exercise Make You Gain Weight?
- Best Places To Retire
- Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?
- Countertop Makeover In A Paint Can
- How to Stop a Cold Before It Takes Hold
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Assad cousin wins case to unfreeze Swiss millions
- Column: A real chance for change in the BCS
- Vt. to receive $6.7M in natl mortgage settlement
- Maine to get $21M from foreclosure settlement
on Facebook
- Mo. teen gets life in prison for murder of 9-year-old girl
- "American Idol": Jim Carrey's daughter out, and then disaster
- Calif. surfer runs fastest-growing camera company
on CBS News





