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Finning on the Front Line
Posted 22 December 2006 - 08:57 PM
We just got back from a fantastic trip to Raja Ampat. Unfortunately we also got a glimpse of the dark underbelly of shark fishing as well.
Our travels took us to spend the week with Andrew Miners who is building a conservation and dive destination on Batbitim island in southern Raja Ampat. As part of his work there he has leased all fishing rights in a 200km area. This is really fantastic news as he looks to create a first line of defense and conservation. The plan is to develop official enforcement of the area to protect the reef and fish stocks which should translate to some fantastic diving.
[One thing to note at this point, in contrast to the huge schools of fish we found, is the serious depletion of sharks in these waters. Over the course of our week stay with daily diving we only managed to see 1 small blacktip from the boat and 1 small whitetip on a remote reef. Every shark is precious as they will all be needed to re-populate the waters]
On the way back from a dive we passed by a lagoon and spotted a small fishing boat floating suspiciously. We circled around and approached to find the fisherman at the boat and on the small deck were shark fins drying in the sun. The surprise of the discovery was quickly overwhelmed by what we saw next. Looking down into the water, we could see a pile of shark corpses dumped right underneath the boat – these guys had just finished!
We quickly got out all our camera equipment (video and stills) and proceeded to "shock and awe" them with all the photos and footage we took above and below the water. We also boarded and Andrew Miners (who owns all the fishing rights and has been in the region for quite some time) educated them about how this is no longer allowed and they must leave. I think we were a pretty convincing crew.
One problem is that there is nothing officially illegal about what they were doing. The only protection we have against this activity is the fishing rights that Andrew has purchased and that he and the local villages will enforce. In fact, during questioning these fishermen produced a license they had purchased for "1 month of shark fishing" for a grand total of about 30 US dollars.
So, 1 small boat with 8 dead sharks…not really much out of the 100 million slaughtered each year. Does it make a difference? I hope it does. One of the things I saw was that this boat was serviced by a number of smaller canoes. 3 canoes supported by this larger craft which will be out on the water for 1 full month. It seems quite likely that this larger boat is simply feeding a "mother ship". My hope is that in 10 years time we can return and see 20 live sharks instead of 2 with 8 finned. I really think we can make a big local impact.
Wetpixeler Shawn (shawnh) was there also and got some video footage – hopefully we'll get him to post a clip here. Also, if anybody wants to use these images for any (positive) conservation reasons just let me know and I can provide hi-res versions as well.
-- Justin
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Posted 22 December 2006 - 10:04 PM
Posted 23 December 2006 - 12:49 AM
Got to target the buyers so there is no longer a market for these guys to do that.l..
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 01:10 AM
Yes there are probably just trying to survive.
Best way to stop it is to try and kill the market for it.
Spread the word that shark fins makes your willy shrink and is full of harmfull toxins.
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 02:55 AM
So if we can strip supply to where sharks fin soup costs like diamonds, and make it illegal to fish then sharks have a chance. Otherwise we're going to just witness another species extinction (all due to human activity).
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.
Posted 23 December 2006 - 03:25 AM
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Posted 23 December 2006 - 09:06 AM
Supply choking will create more illegal ways to get the goods to the people. At least with it in the open right now we can see how much damage it does. The reason drug fighting will never win is there is no real numbers on exactly how much and what is happening. You can slow it .. but you can't stop it. It's like the boy with his fingers in the dam, you can keep pluggin supply holes but eventually another one will spring up.
Controlling exportation better may work .. but we already know it comes from 3rd world countries where it is easier to get away with it.
Maybe green peace had it right when they mercury poisened what was it 20 tonnes or something of Shark Fins in Costa Rica destioned for china. Mercury already exists in shark fins so kinda clever. Costa Rica has laws to soften shark finning (fins must be attached to bodies) but no one cotrols it. I am sure though that the poisoning hurt their demand !
I don't think there is a realistic way of stopping this as the world is not united enough and quite frankly we humans are stupid enough to like killing. Wars are still prevolent in our world and while they are killing of sharks will be a minor blip on the radar.
Posted 23 December 2006 - 10:37 AM
Education is a great first step, but I think it will only start working for the next generation. Laws are another, but the leader of the "free" world instated the politics of "I do what I want and I don't care what others think", so it will be hard to change anything in that front too.
Posted 23 December 2006 - 02:02 PM
The fact is that demand is only going to increase as wealth spreads in China and South East Asia. Neither is any asian government going to outlaw sharks finning. In fact, the Thai government announced a few years back that that mercury levels in sharks fin soup were not elevated. Then you have poster boy Giam who claims CITES is the only source when they are not monitoring shark populations at all and rely and data given by various environmental groups to define endangered species. Demand is not supressable this generation by any means. I frequently visit South East Asia and I can tell you for every person who says sharks finning is bad, I can find 15 who say WGAF, I want to eat it!
So choking supply at a local level is the only way to give the shark population a chance to breathe. It'll be easier to do that than changing almost a billion people who have no inclination on environmental preservation as of yet. The mercury poisoning route or anything like that only creates animousity to the cause.
Protecting whatever healthy populations of sharks is about all that can be done now.
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.
Posted 23 December 2006 - 03:08 PM
With high demand and high prices, sharks will be heavily fished somewhere (legally or not) and that will have great effects on the species as a whole.
Posted 23 December 2006 - 05:47 PM
If we agree that we will not surpress demand much for the current generation and 100million sharks are disappearing a year (actually declining each year because crashing numbers) what other course of action is their. I am i hearing you correctly that we shouldn't bother trying to manage the only aspect we can right now. Do you have any idea what Cocos and Galapagos would be like if there was no action being taken on supply...there would be NO sharks vs fewer sharks.
One can protect sharks regionally and make a BIG impact by proving them a sactuary to live, feed, bread and bear young, while buying more time for longer term demand side measures to take hold. Many species or sharks (whale sharks, hammerheads, silky's, sand tiger, reef, etc) are known to aggregate in mass numbers in certain locations and certain times of the year. Also, many sharks return to the same locations to breed and give birth (sanctuaries, estuaries, etc). In all of these circumstances, sharks are far more vulnerable to mass poplution impact in such locations than when they are just crusing the seas. In addition, many species of sharks spend most of their lives in one area(reef sharks, coastal tiger and lemon sharks, bull sharks and other "coastal" sharks). Again protection in certain areas provides them safety 90% of the time and exposure (though far more distributed) 10% of the time.
Based on the above, i think we have great examples of supply side regulatin(though often not even supported by many locals vested in fisheries) having a very positive impact (Galapagos, Cocos, Donsol, Malpelo, N. Corolina, Bahamas, to name a few). Sure these places are still under assualt but count the number of sharks in these locations when you dive vs other locations. I travel the world filming sharks and i can say unequivacally that i see far more sharks in areas they are protected than otherwise (like 10 to 1). I have a hard time believing this is just chance.
Posted 23 December 2006 - 06:13 PM
I am not saying that we should not protect sharks locally (especially more sedentary species like the nurse and lemon sharks) or not protect aggregations, I firmly believe we should. What I am saying is that local protection is not the more effective way to save these species. The best would be reducing the demand. Local protection is a mitigating measure that can be prejudicial in the long run. Will it protect local populations? Yes. Will it protect the species? Probably not because individuals will move in and out of those populations and be fished elsewhere.
All of the locations that you mention where you see more sharks were protected because they had shark (and other fish) aggregations, that's why you see more sharks in those locations now, not because populations are growing there, but because they have always been large there. There is strong evidence indicating that populations are declining even in protected areas. Why? Because, as I said above, sharks are being fished elsewhere and they reproduce very slowly. In other words, populations in places like Cocos and the Galapagos rely not only in local reproduction but also in imigration for their long-term maintenance.
Local protection can be prejudicial in the long run because it can and often does provide a false sense of wide protection. There are many fishermen for example along the coasts of Colombia and Peru saying that there is no need to protect sharks there because they are already protected at areas like the Galapagos and Cocos. Local protection will only be effective in sharks if they are protected along their entire ranges, with strict quotas and enforcement, and I think this is much more difficult to reach than reductions in the demand through education programs. The only problem is convincing the Asian market that they are doing something wrong...
Posted 23 December 2006 - 08:34 PM
Yes...big yes...if we can convince the consumers. Sadly, it will take a long time to convince a billion folks not to consume these creatures when that is what they are aspiring to. My point is not that local protection is a permanent solution by any means. Ultimately demand must be reduced drastically...i am a big fan of that. But, it will take several generations to achieve that and the shark populations just don't have that much time. With Justin, i saw just 2 sharks in the entire week in an area that used to boil with sharks. I know this because i have a friend who was there before the finning took off...he said the sharks were everywhere then. Now they are all but gone. Though sharks may migrate, they don't seem to be migrating to Raja much anymore...so something locally must have had a major impact.
What local protection does is buy us time to deal with demand. Take for example the Bald Eagle in the US. Without laws and enforcement, it would be extict today. How about the Mantas in Kona. Should we not protect them. Mantas are pelagic and your mantas disappear regularly for long stints. Most return but some do not, victims of nature, fishing or whatever. I hear from most folks in Kona that since protection was introduced, the population has actually started increasing. I would Not call this a natural aggregation point as folks rarely see groups of mantas on the big island excpept for the kona night dive. Sharks and rays share much in common...i think there is a model here to consider.
Again, if I could snap my fingers and turn of desire for shark fin, i would. I also spend a good chunk of my own change each year supporting causes such as Wild Aid that are aggressively targeting demand in Asia. That being said, i also recognize the significant value of field protection to buy time.
I am involved with a group called WildAid. They are intesively active in addressing the shark finning epedemic. To qoute them:
"In describing WildAid as the new face of environmentalism, the New York Times Magazine called our approach 'aggressive, but economically comprehensive.' Our programs disrupt the trade at every level by reducing poaching, targeting illegal traders and smugglers, and drastically lowering consumer demand for endangered species parts and products."
Very clearly we must hit this issue at all levels and hit it aggressively. To ignore demand or supply is fundamentally flawed. Like the nature vs. nurture arguement, a balanced perspective is the most reasonable vs extremes.
Posted 23 December 2006 - 11:42 PM
A couple items that put out big red flags for me that suggest we should act locally:
1) The area discribed in the trip could very realistically be patrolled - very effectively
2) The shark license is only 30 bucks! The local economy is seeing very little of the shark fin money - they could easily replace this with the much greater sums of money that comes with tourism in a healthy reef ecosystem
3) The fishermen are almost completely uneducated on the topic. They really have almost no idea that what they are doing is anything other than simply "fishing". Education can make a huge difference - when I was reviewing the photos on my laptop some other local villagers saw the pictures and called all their friends over in horror and were discussing is very excitedly. It turns out that these folks worked at the local pearl farm and had learned quite a bit about how damaging these activities are in the long run. These locals are now environmental advocates because they see the damage of finning and reef destruction and are very proud to protect what is truly theirs.
Anyway - when you run into this face to face I cannot imagine any course but education, communication, and action. You certainly can't just motor past and wish the world was different.
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Posted 24 December 2006 - 10:40 AM
Fighting back against illegal fishing
Funny I'm headed there now.
Happy holidays.
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.
Posted 24 December 2006 - 11:54 AM
Posted 24 December 2006 - 12:52 PM
An example of the pirates fighting back:
Navy involved in shoot-out
For the first time ever, the Mozambican navy has been involved in an exchange of fire on the high seas.
According to a report in "Mediafax" a navy patrol boat on 7 May intercepted a pirate fishing vessel near the Bazaruto archipelago, off the coast of the southern province of Inhambane.
But the pirate trawler was armed and opened fire on the patrol boat, injuring several of the Mozambican marines on board. Finding themselves outnumbered by the men on board the larger vessel, the crew of the patrol boat withdrew - but not before they had hit the communications tower of the pirate ship.
Unnamed witnesses from the Bazaruto National Park, cited by "Mediafax", said the inscriptions on the trawler were in Chinese characters.
One of the wounded marines was in a serious condition, and he was transferred to Inhambane provincial hospital.
On a RIB in open sea against a submachine turret, that's like being a sitting duck. Those submachine guns have a 1km effective range. RPG maybe 3-500m so you have to be in side the firing zone for over 1 minute to get within range for the RPG.
The boats they use are all the civilian dive boats carry the soldiers. Plus those chinese boats don't usually travel alone. It's not that easy to fight a superpower.
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.
Posted 24 December 2006 - 06:06 PM
Posted 24 December 2006 - 10:33 PM
Drew is correct that the majority of people in Singapore (and the rest of Asia) don't necessarily perceive a problem with shark fin (or the overuse of most other natural resources). There are a few major contributing factors worth mentioning:
One is ignorance. The level of general education in Asia is still poor. Asia has become "developed" only in the past 50 years or so, and only in urban centers. The majority of people in Asia are not well educated, have not had a chance to travel significantly, and still place high priority on accumulating wealth (as opposed to ideals like protecting the planet). Consuming shark fin as a sign of wealth is plays right into this.
There is also a high degree of superstition. The number of well educated people in Asia who wholeheartedly believe in ghosts, spirits, magical powers, magic potions, spells, hexes, etc is astounding. Shark fin (like tiger paws, bear bile, etc) is something that some people believe provide magical powers to men (it's always men). It's very easy for merchants to prey on this mentality.
There's xenophobia. Many places in Asia were colonies of western countries. There's a certain degree of latent xenophobia. People like Giam play on this very well, by setting out the argument that "don't let white people tell you what to do".
There's tradition. Many people consume shark fin because their parents/ grandparents/ other relatives tell them to. Tradition and respect for family is important, and many people are not keen to offend their families.
There's a language problem. Most of the media/ press/ educational materials on shark fin and other similar issues are in English. Most speakers (me included) on these issues speak English. Unfortunately, most people in Asia don't speak, read or write English as a main language, even in "developed" places like Singapore.
All of these things have one thing in common — the need for more education.
On a positive note, I've been campaigning on shark fin for a decade in Singapore, and in that time, there's been a big change. Sure, the progress has been confined largely to the educated, English-speaking, relatively young, relatively affluent population, but discussion of these issues has become publicly acceptable. 10 years ago, the Straits Times ran an editorial essentially stating that there's no such thing as endangered wildlife, and that the shark fin issue was a big scam being perpetrated by white people with a desire to return to colonial occupation. You still get Giam spouting off from time to time, but not editorials like that from the national newspaper.
And kids are picking up the lessons very quickly, so there's definitely a lot to be positive about. In every school I've given talks to, the kids understand.
So I guess the bottom line is that yes, attitudes are still a huge problem, and education is the long-term solution. If we can help stop supply in the near term, it might help. There is a potential flip side to this though, as interviews with shark fin traders suggest that some are quite happy with the restrictions, as it drives prices up, and they're able to scare people into buying...on the notion that the big bad enviro-whackos are going to remove all shark fin from the market.
Merry Christmas everyone
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Posted 25 December 2006 - 01:18 AM
Now it seems that we are all in the same page. Local protection is a temporary solution that helps but is relatively useless in the long term. If local protection is not accompanied by serious measures to reduce demand I have very little hope that we will save the sharks...
Luiz, I have NO hope for sharks as the present intake has depleted populations to 10% or less. If you believe the estimates, many species of shark have 10-20 years before being wiped out.
As Tony says, right now traders are getting pretty good prices on sharks. Singapore and Hong Kong are the 2 biggest traders of fins in the world, they'd love to restrict supply and raise prices. The consumers couldn't care less. I have to say that sharks fin consumers are educated but just don't care about the consequences. We've had enough awareness programs etc to reach them. In HK during the sea shepard campaign, demand for fins dropped for a few months then popped up again. It was chic to be PC on the "cause du jour". Then it's back to business as usual.
Still, doesn't mean I don't try to prevent another preventable extinction. My favorite argument is that it's 100million years old and past it's use by date. If it can't adapt to human fishing and reproduce faster, then it'll just be too bad but that's life on the planet. Wonderfully narrow views like that abound.
"Journalism is what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations."
"I was born not knowing, and have only had a little time to change that here and there.


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Tea Party
Maybe Republicans will win in 2014
Maybe they will. Everyone polled says that they dislike or don't respect their Congress.
And yet the Tea Party blithers through the most irresponsible fiasco, a government shut down threat they can't win and then they trump it by… Continue reading →
What is the Joad Cycle
The Joad Cycle is a series of dystopian speculative fiction novels set in our America from 2032-2084 after a Constitutional Coup has brought to power an extreme Right Wing, Christian, Libertarian Entrepreneur who is the leader of the new Entrepreneur Party. In this America, business interests rule, government has been marginalized. and the poor and the middle class no longer exist, the result of a massive economic genocide. To survive, every citizen lives to create wealth and should living cost more than they can generate in value to the economy, they are executed. Mostly, this is an Anti-capitalist Love Story.
$$$ How to Read this Site $$$
This site is mostly fictional and it supports the novels, providing backstory and additional related short stories that take place within the world of the Joad Cycle.
The site offers a Blog and Journal from the perspective of one main character, the hero of the first book, The Golden Rule . This character, Bernie Rosenthal who is very liberal politically, works as Chief Financial Officer for U.S. Angs, a multinational multibillion dollar private corporation owned by Tom Gorman and Tom Morgan, the Toms, who represent ultra Conservative Koch brother types. Bernie is humbled by the tyrannical Toms during the day and finds a release journaling his job frustration. Meanwhile, Bernie's future self, Berne Thau, adds to the blog entries with his perspective, more than 30 years in the future, after money, greed, and the Right Wing revolution end the American Republic .
We are living in trying times. According to Berne Thau, they will get much more difficult.
Why this curmudgeon wrote this story
Every generation, parents tell their children that life was better back when they were young… and the children always scoff.
But now that I have qualified to pass judgment on that age-old warning, now that I've been both young and old, I have come to realize that the old have it right and children scoff at their peril though in the ways that American society has been taught to measures success, every generation since maybe the turn of the twentieth century anyway, has had it better.
But with age, and career experience, I have learned that those ways are deceptive and worse, they are wrong. Success is measured based on wealth, conveniences, and life expectancy issues when it should be evaluated on what we hope to be as individuals and what we become as people—the expectancy of life.
Don't get me wrong, I've been successful enough. For most of my baby boomer life I was comfortable middle class interspersed with a few years of unfortunate decline towards impoverishment, never quite getting there before bootstrapping back to comfort.
For a time, I was a certified member of the 1%—in income though not in wealth. The 1% is a class of people who rule their part of the world and have a lot of confidence that somebody they know rules the rest of it. I wasn't a one-percenter for many years, but it was a good life until my associations made me believe that I just didn't want it anymore. I apologize to my family for what I had become and these novels are my penance.
People congratulated me for the success I'd earned as if those less and least successful earned that lack as well. And with the memory of a manufacturing facility in a small, rural, one-employer town in out-of-the-way Northern Maine near the Canadian border closed to improve a bottom line somewhere else, with an American town murdered for earnings per share, I signed off and began to write the The Joad Cycle.
In my research, I came to fear for my family that grew from the narrowest and shallowest possible family tree to three generations deep and two wide. My family is important and so I wrote these novels for them, for their future, for what I dread we have taken from them and will continue to take, long after we are dead.
I live in the Midwest and my friends are good people and I value them. They are conservative and most are Christians and somehow, we argue over unions as if union members aren't patriotic Americans, too, and besides, what is to be gained by condemning workers in a country of workers. And we disagree on the poor? Social Safety Nets may not be working as well as they could (But how would we know if these Safety Nets are working? It is not as if some brave politician will stand up and precisely define what a win looks like in the freest, richest country in the history of history—and seriously, doesn't free-form Capitalism deserve the bulk of the blame with its all-encompassing goal of creating winning humans and losing humans).
And discussions on life and death with my conservative friends, life at the very beginning and the very end, and guns and gods…forget about it. But unlike politicians and the media, we are friends so we work around the discomfort and the dislike for the greater good.
My friends are the current version of the salt of the earth and all of us abide by family values above all, even if we can't agree on them. Good people like us accept a society where too many of our children are handled by strangers during the critical formative years. And in the twilight years too many parents and grandparents are handled by strangers until their money runs out, like sand in an hourglass, their lives extended only so far as Government security or private insurance will grant.
And when Americans finally expire after insufferable pain and embarrassment and to the sighs of sad but relieved loved ones, it reveals the immaturity of the vast majority of the American people who won't resolve; once and for all, when God's reason ends life and so they leave that to for-profit resolution. Can't it just be in the fading twinkle of an ancient woman's eyes?
But all of this pales to the legacy of GREED! Greed, that race for wealth that is ingrained in us all from television at a too early age that drives us to become economically viable so that with something extra in our paychecks at the end of the week, we can indulge ourselves with gifts, with palliatives, to relieve the pain and discomfort that we feel for doing what we must do to earn what wealth we cab. Greed is the satisfying of artificial and constant cravings.
And those who are considered the best of us, majority stockholders, officers of corporations, politicians, and celebrities all at the top of their respective food chains, they earn their way into the 1% and possessing this true wealth, they gift themselves truly extraordinary palliatives in order to compensate for something deeply unsatisfying within that was once more human, what they lost in the dog-eat-dog world that we all live in.
This is the world that we pass on to our children and our grandchildren. This world is what will own them someday like it owns us today. They are truly greed's legacy. That too is the basis for my cautionary tale of America's future, The Joad Cycle.
But I still idealize my youth. I remember what it felt like when I was a boy and so I wrote a grand love story, too.
Gary Levey


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It makes such a difference!
(Yarn found here.)
With the help of this chart, this truly was a painless, quick lace project.
As you know, I'm not a huge fan of variegated yarn, so the Ireland colorway, although beautiful, made me a little nervous. I have to say that I'm quite pleased with the result though. I think that the colors blended nicely and fairly evenly across the piece.
I love the sheen and drape of this gorgeous yarn.
I definitely will be working with it again in the future.


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Smelly McUgly wrote:JSeahawks wrote:Sturm wrote:Why would we trade for a more unproven QB than the one we already have?
I say ship Flynn to the Raiders and get our 3rd round draft pick back from the Harvin trade.
Then who would you sign as our backup QB?
I know that people will HATE this idea, but I am all for signing Vince Young for peanuts.
Brilliant! You should start your own thread with that topic. I have a feeling it would be a real hit.


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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
I'm Back. Recharged. Ready for Tomorrow Night
As you can probably guess, since the holidays, we've all been hunkered down here. Big Guy and Toes didn't take kindly to the way we were treated up in New Jersey and in Virginia with those states races. And now we've got some guy from Massachusetts double parking his truck infront of the White House so Big O's agenda can't get moving.
Well, all of that is going to change tomorrow night. Big Guy and I have been working tirelessly for the past three weeks with world-renowned film director, lovable character actor and speechwriter Jon Favreau on the State of the Union address, and it's a doozey.
For example, Big Guy spent a lot of time working on this new middle class tax cut plan he'll roll out tomorrow. He and Timmy Geithner and Biden worked for days trying to figure out the best policy approach. Big Guy wanted to cut taxes 10 percent. Biden said that wasn't enough for blue collar folk, and said 20 percent. Timmy tried to split the baby and go with 15 percent.
In the end, all of the proposals just seemed unworkable to Big Guy, not because he's a socialist or anything, but because he realized to cut taxes, you actually have to have people making enough money to pay taxes.
57 comments:
Welcome back! We are waiting for what you have in store.ReplyDelete
John's Space
Totus -ReplyDelete
Welcome Back! Great job on your performance at the elementary school the other day!
- AnonymousJanuary 26, 2010 at 5:35 PM
TOTUS! Make him say "underwear" during his speech or how about "I lied. Wilson was right."ReplyDelete
So glad you are BACK!ReplyDelete
You were great with the kids! I think you should tickle BO every time he says "duty" becuase it sounds like "dooty" because that's what his speech will be (no offense).ReplyDelete
Glad to hear you are well, TOTUS. Obama is nothing without you. Wait. He's not much with you. No offense.ReplyDelete
Out of curiousity, whose idea was it take you to the 6th grade class the other day? No offense buddy, but what kind of leader can't speak to 6th graders without a teleprompter?ReplyDelete
"to cut taxes, you actually have to have people making enough money to pay taxes"ReplyDelete
OMG, is this a new relevation to our fearless leader? Maybe he discovered this when he gave his speech from your amazing memory to the 6th graders? Was there a Q&A session from the students so he could learn something?
My mind boggles with the possibilities....
I'm surprised you have enough energy after the Laker's gathering - all the whoopla with the Kobe crowd and stuff...ReplyDelete
Nice feature on The Daily Show!ReplyDelete
We thought you were dead. What a revelation about the taxes! I mean, tax payors paying taxes so that the governamnt works is probably a new idea to gobbern-ment payees and all that, but thank GOD you are alive. We thought that you had gotten sucked up in the void that has been the excuse for JoeyB.
What a relief. Hello.
Sorry for the over exhuberance - but it was just htat martini hand. Oops.
I was thinking that you are the typical 21st male offering communication at it's finest (typically male=easiest) and have thereby become an 21st century jerk of the first order - the guy who is talked to who never responds until he thinks the coast is clear.
All you male FOTae jump in right now so I can whip your asses. But as far as I can see? you are a girl's silent rock. The guy in the movies the know it all dumb ass who doesn't know shit.
TOTUS just had better show up here with a better tough guy rhetoric. Because he's the biggest puss on the block, right now.
I aint' sayin' just sayin': ALL THIS OPPORTUNITY WAISTED ON ONE GADDAMN TELEPROMPETER.
"......And he could have been a part of history. Instead, shame his poor unbeknowenst Mother: tell that Atari bitch, that her son was MEDIOCRE."
And that's all I have to say to TOTUS; one compropmising son of a STAR FIGHTER, who let a perfect opportunity go by. Because he could. I'll apologize when TOTUS starts posting a few times a week. Hurry up. Kootie Guy. Your mother put the DOS in prompt. Fess up on the Big Guy dope.
Well, well, welcome back TOTUS. I was beginning to despair. I hoped MeShill hadn't broken your lens with that tantrum over the MA situation. So looking forward to your inside version of what Mr. Charles Krauthammer today called "Obama's Three Card Monte" being prepared for tomorrow night.ReplyDelete
bettyann, I think you've had enough of those Martini's tonight, dear.
Welcome back, tomorrow night should be interesting to say the least...ReplyDelete
Obama looks like he's watching a slow-motion tennis match with these teleprompters. That and the wagging finger and the incessant 'Let Me Be Clear's.' I refuse to watch.ReplyDelete
I'll also be among the many not watching the performance, someone else will have to count all the instances of Letmebeclear, Fight, Unprecedented, Middleclass, Mandate, TheAmericanPeople, etcetcetc...not to mention uh, er, ahhh, annnnnd & his snapping to & fro with Teleprompters.ReplyDelete
Bettyann, are there enough martinis in the world to make watching him bearable?!
TWW, here's hoping you can make another good screenplay out of the Narcissist in Chief's latest I, Me and Mine fiasco...
Good luck to all who possess enough fortitude to tune in and watch!
Been hearing about different folks BG will plant in the galleries to give a shout out to during tonight's SPEECH.ReplyDelete
I wondered if he'd invite the Danish guy who took down the Panty-Bomber. He is an American Hero. Er, a hero to Americans, or Canadians, who might have been in the flight path of NW Flight 253.
- AnonymousJanuary 27, 2010 at 6:46 AM
Tonight we will be watching reruns of "Bait Car" or "Trauma: ER" during the speech but will be recording it on u-verse so that tomorrow we can have fun editing it, fast forwarding, fast rewinding and finally erasing it as a cleansing exercise!ReplyDelete
Well you have a heck of a job tonight, TOTUS. Tell you what, later we can go slumming at Radio Shack or something... Or maybe you're gonna just wanna chill out for a while and cool your circuits.ReplyDelete
Your vacation plan must suck hind teat, TOTUS - he's kept you busier than a one-armed paper hanger - how DO you do it?!?ReplyDelete
Since the Scott Brown win I have not heard the phrase "Teabagger" being used by MSM Reporters. It's not because those same Reporters weren't relishing using it as an epithet for Average Everyday Americans. Their Corporate Masters called them off because of the Scott Brown win?ReplyDelete
I think tonight's State of the Union Speech will have a strong Clintonian flavor.
It's NYT week at You Have To Be This Tall To Go On This Ride.
Why does Maureen Dowd compare our President to Mr Spock?
The State of the Union "Rescue, Restore, Rebuild. Mr Spock makes his move.
"When the men on the chessboard
Get up and tell you where to go"
I'm glad you're back. I thought maybe they replaced you with a mac or something.ReplyDelete
Tonight's address should be titled "The State of The Teleprompter Address", since Big Guy has no message (or clues). He does however, have you! Nice to have you back TOTUS.ReplyDelete
Will the Teleprompter at least wear a tie tonight?ReplyDelete
So glad you're back. You know I've got to give you credit. I see that Pres.0 is now so dependent on you that he needs you to speak to grade schoolers and small groups of "consultants". Less than a year and you've got him eating out of your hand. I'm impressed.
WB ! Thought you had been unplugged.ReplyDelete
[MTVA] (me, too): "I'll also be among the many not watching the performance, someone else will have to count all the [flies he catches with his bare hands - SNAP!]."ReplyDelete
Glad you're still here -- (and all the others -- IT'S SO COOL TO SEE EVERYONE cruise by the bus station and give a toot on the horn when TOTUS arrives back in town).
LOLOLOL, Betty Ann. You go, girl! Moved, seconded, and ... CARRIED!
Susan] "folks BG will plant in the galleries to give a shout out to during tonight's SPEECH."ReplyDelete
"Aaaaaand a shout out to Dr. Martin Luther King who taught me everything I know: Happy Birthday, yo!.....
[aide whispers in O's ear]
.... uuuuuh... Oh. [GRIN] He's, uh, passed on, yeah, sooooo........ Happy Birthday toooooo....... Martin Luther King, JUNIOR, yeah [GRIN]. Have a good one!"
TOTUS LIVES! Welcome back :~)ReplyDelete
There was this guy who believed very much in true love and decided to take his time to wait for his right girl to appear.ReplyDelete
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How about 1981 to today?manuvns wrote:look at annual returns here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%26P_500mptfan wrote:Umm...let's see...where do I start?manuvns wrote: stock market have remained at the same level last 13 years .
http://www.google.com//finance?chdnp=1& ... INX&ntsp=0
First, the chart you cited is a price chart, so it does not reflect the total return of the S&P500.
Second, the S&P 500 index is an index that reflects the price of 500 stocks, not the whole U.S. stock market, which I think is over 7,000 stocks.
Third, the U.S. stock market is less than half of the world stock market.
Fourth, a wise investor is diversified among different asset classes other than the 500 stocks in the S&P 500, including bonds and cash.
form the end of 1998 the till today the returns/CAGR are close to 1.8% . you can do better with a CD .
How about July, 2002 to today?
How about March 2009 to today?
Why can't I pick any date I want and say "Look how awesome the stock market is! Nearly 90% return in just 2.5 years!"
What's so special about the last 13 years? Are you predicting the future based on the last 13 years? Why can't I predict the future based on the last 9 years? or the last 2.5 years? Future looks pretty good if you use those numbers.


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Free Help and Guidance with Organising a Funeral in Taunton
Our aim is to help you organise a funeral in Taunton or the surrounding areas by guiding you through what can be a confusing and stressful time, and explaining what happens when someone dies, and what you need to do.
There are some things that you are required to do by law, and then you have a number of choices to make about the kind of funeral that you want, the type of service you want, and how you want to remember the person who has passed away.
You will already be experiencing a difficult and traumatic enough time without having to try and work out what you need to do next, and the choices that are available to you, and so we have created this free guide to help you.
Probably the easiest thing for you to do is to take your time reading the information below, and then once you have an idea of what you want and, when you are ready, you can contact your local Taunton based Funeral Directors to help you to organise everything.
Please take your time, and we hope that our free guide below helps you.
Yes, it IS possible to get a cheap funeral when you choose a direct cremation
Everything is taken care of and covered in the very reasonable costs of less than £1200, the cremation costs and the doctors fees are all included too.
If you offer cheap funerals and cremations and would like to promote your services here, please contact us.
Arranging a Funeral
Just thinking about how to plan a funeral can seem very daunting, especially at a time that you are already finding difficult.
Knowing the different steps that you need to take, and decisions that you need to make can help to make the process as easy as possible.
Among the main decisions that you will need to make are the kind of funeral service that you would like, such as a cremation, burial, or even a green or environmentally friendly funeral, and where you would like the funeral to take place.
Once that you have made these decisions you can think about the route you would like the funeral procession to take, and whether you would like the person who has died to wear specific items of clothing.
You may also have a preference for the kind of clothing the mourners will wear, and you may also like to arrange for the mourners to meet somewhere prior to, or after the funeral has taken place.
You will also want to consider the funeral music for the service, memorials, flowers and funeral wreaths, stationary, and even any charities that friends and family may wish to donate to.
The aim is to help you to recognise and remember the life of your loved one, the funeral represents the opportunity to say farewell and to begin the healing process after the shock and sadness that bereavement brings.
Funeral Ceremonies
The ceremony allows you to come to terms with your loss, and gives friends and family the chance to remember shared memories, express emotion, and comfort and support one another.
This is all part of the healing process and most people find that it brings comfort and helps them to come to terms with their loss.
There are no right or wrong choices about how you celebrate the life of a loved one who has died, you are free to create a unique ceremony using the music, location, words, and tributes that are meaningful to you and your family.
For some people a traditional religious funeral in a church or other place of worship with traditional funeral rites and hymns helps them to find peace more easily, whereas others may prefer a less formal setting in a place that has meaning and perhaps holds memories related to their loved one.
Today more and more people are opting for a more contemporary, less religious funeral, with "humanist" funerals and green funerals becoming increasingly popular.
Whichever choice you make you can personalise the funeral service with funeral quotes, readings, music, and even a speech to make it totally unique to the person who you are saying goodbye to.
It is a very personal experience, the most important thing is that you do what is right for you, and that represents the deceased's wishes and values.
Types of Funeral
Besides the traditional form of funeral that involve burials or cremation, it is also possible to opt for Humanist funerals and green, environmentally friendly funerals. There is more information on each of these below.
If the person who has died had a funeral plan, or left a will or record of wishes then they will have specified whether their wishes were to be buried or cremated.
If they haven't done this then you will need to decide between a cremation or a burial if they have not expressed their wishes to you.
There are things to consider for each, which are explained below, but generally speaking a cremation costs less than a burial.
In some cases it may be possible to get help with funeral costs, you should speak to your funeral director who will have a detailed understanding of your situation.
Things to Consider when Choosing a Burial
In some areas it can be very difficult to find a space for a burial and the cost of purchasing a plot can be prohibitive. If you already have a family grave then a burial will be much easier to arrange.
Before a burial in a family grave the memorial masonry has to be inspected and then removed prior to the service.
Your new memorial or headstone will be fitted after the ground has settled, which is usually six to twelve months after the burial has taken place. It is possible to arrange a memorial service to mark this event if you wish.
Alternatively woodland or green burials are becoming increasingly popular and they are now available across the UK.
For these kinds of burials there are restrictions on the materials that the coffin can be made from (they need to be bio-degradable to maintain the integrity of the natural surroundings), and on whether the deceased can be embalmed.
Your funeral director will be able to advise you on the requirements specific to your choices.
Burial at Sea
Although less common, if your loved one has spent part of their lives at sea then you may wish for a burial at sea, although this kind of burial is available to anyone.
This can either be a full body committal or the scattering of ashes after a cremation.
There are some considerations for this type of burial, such as the requirements for the coffin, but there are specialists who can advise and give help to arrange the committal, necessary permissions, and procurement of a boat, etc.
Another alternative that some families choose is to scatter the ashes at a freshwater site, perhaps in a natural, peaceful environment.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Cremation
Cremations generally cost less than a burial, and while most people don't like to think solely about costs at such a sensitive time it is unrealistic not to consider the financial aspects of what can be a very expensive time.
It is possible today to organise a direct cremation. These are simple funerals and can even be arranged so that there are no mourners present, which provides a cheap cremation service if this is what you need to budget for.
If you choose a cremation then the crematorium can serve as the venue for the funeral service, or you may wish to opt for a service beforehand at a church or other significant place that has a special meaning for you.
One thing to bear in mind is that the crematorium will impose a time limit on your service; this and the cost of cremation will depend on the individual crematorium and the local authority that it serves.
The basic cremation costs tend to be similar across the UK in terms of the actual fees charged by different crematoria, the major differences in price will of course be determined by the type of funeral service that you want, the funeral cars, type of hearse, flowers, and other choices that you make.
After the cremation you can choose to scatter the ashes, perhaps in a garden of remembrance or at another location that has meaning for you or the person who has died.
You can also choose to bury or intern them at a cemetery, the crematorium, or a woodland burial site, or you could keep them in a memorial urn at your home.
You could also incorporate the ashes into memorial or cremation jewellery or keepsakes, or even have them converted into a diamond.
Other options include dispersal of the ashes from the air or by firework.
It is also worth pointing out that you are not limited to one of these choices, you can choose various ways to disperse your loved ones ashes to produce more than one memorial.
Funeral Flowers, Sympathy Flowers, and Wreaths
We have a whole page dedicated to helping you to choose from the vast selection of beautiful, breathtaking, and imaginative floral tributes that are available today.
From bouquets and wreaths, to heart shaped (or any other shape you want really) arrangements, flowers offer a touching and heartfelt way to reflect the personality and tastes of the person who has died.
Sending sympathy flowers to the family, friends, colleagues or loved ones also helps you to show how much you care for them and to show that you are thinking of them at what must be a very difficult time for them.
Floral tributes and sympathy flower arrangements are available at a range of prices, they don't need to cost the earth but they could mean the world to someone who is important to you.
Humanist or non-Religious Funerals
A Humanist funeral is a funeral and memorial service that does not follow a "traditional" religious ceremony, it is in essence a non religious funeral.
It offers a personal and touching way to celebrate the life of a person who has died, who did not have strong religious beliefs or wishes for a religious funeral.
Humanist funerals allow friends and family to come together to express sadness at their loss, but also to celebrate the life that the person lived, and their memories of them and shared times and experiences.
The type of service and the place that you wish to hold a Humanist service is completely your choice, many people find that a Humanist funeral is a more personal and less traumatic experience than a traditional service.
What is a funeral celebrant?
Humanist funerals usually use a Funeral Celebrant to conduct the service.
A Celebrant is a person who does not belong to any form of clergy, and who are usually not tied to any specific religion, or spiritual beliefs such as the afterlife.
The Celebrant aims to deliver a unique and dignified high quality funeral service that meets with your wishes and reflects the life and values of the person who has died.
In order to provide the most fitting service possible, the Celebrant will meet with you and family members and friends to learn about the person and their life so that the funeral reflects the person and the life they lived.
The Celebrant will also give you advice on burials and cremations, and the funeral order of service suggesting suitable music, funeral songs and readings, and even funeral poems if you are not sure, and suggest ideas that may be appropriate based on their experience
Green and Environmentally Friendly Funerals
More and more people today are choosing a natural "green" or environmentally friendly funeral, such as a woodland burial to reflect their concern for the environment and their desire to be at one with nature.
Many people find this kind of funeral to be a more fitting and uplifting experience than a traditional funeral, and it can also be helpful with the grieving process when visiting the grave of the person who has died in such a peaceful, natural setting.
If you opt for a natural burial then there are some requirements such as the construction of the coffin being made from bio-degradable materials (such as cardboard coffins), but these are minimal and for many people a burial in a natural environment is preferable to a traditional burial or cremation.
Green Cremations
One thing to point out is that crematoria in some regions to choose a greener cremation, designed to have a lower carbon footprint than a traditional cremation and to have less impact on the environment.
The costs of a green funeral vary depending on where you wish the burial to take place, but consist of your funeral directors fees, the coffin, and other third-party fees like the cost of the grave itself.
Also remember that woodland burial grounds want to keep the environment as natural as possible, and so it is not usually possible to erect headstones and memorials, although it is possible to plant a tree to mark the grave.
This can be a fitting and touching tribute to the person who has died, and is of course in keeping with their desire to have a natural, green burial, and environmentally friendly funeral service.
Get Help With Grief - Grief & Bereavement Counselling
When you experience the death of someone close to you, you may find it difficult to adjust to the changes in your life. Grief exhibits itself in different ways. Some people feel anger, others feel numb, some people become withdrawn, and in some cases grief can turn into depression.
Grief or bereavement counselling may be able to help you at this very difficult time. Talking helps you to realease the emotions and pain that you may keep bottled up, helping you to come to terms with what has happened and to find peace of mind and adjust to your new life.
Local Grief and Bereavement Counsellors
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There are currently no grief or bereavement counselling services added to this page.
If you are a counsellor and would like to add your yourself then please contact us or take a look at our services page.
Touching Ideas to Celebrate The Life of Your Loved One
Because funerals don't have to be as formal as they once were, it is now possible to remember your loved one in a number of unique ways, from a motorcycle hearse for biking enthusiasts, to the more traditional horse drawn hearse.
Below are a handful of ideas that may give you inspiration.
Horse-drawn hearses
Families who want a more traditional style of funeral that adds a moving dignified touch may want to consider a horse drawn funeral.
There are numerous companies offering horse drawn hearses who specialise in providing a high class, moving and memorable aspect to the funeral, that comes with all of the tradition, ceremony, and appearance of this age old traditional service.
Motorbike funerals
Motorcycle funerals are more popular than you might think, and are a touching tribute to loved ones who had a passion and interest in motorbikes and motorcycle sports.
They can evoke memories of shared trips and experiences on happy summers days, and allow for an individual expression of the life and interests of the person who has passed away.
Volkswagon funerals
For those families who enjoyed holidays together or breaks away in a VW camper van, it is possible to hire a Volkswagon that has been converted into a hearse.
This is a unique and touching way to remember someone that is sure to evoke highly personal and happy memories that are special to you. You really can make a funeral as personal as you like.
Releasing doves
Families who want to symbolise the letting go of their loved one can choose to incorporate the release of white doves at either the funeral or the service.
Many people find this to be a touching tribute to the person who has died, and it can also help you to find peace of mind by adding a symbolic element of being released or freed into a very personal moment.
Funeral Costs
How much do funerals cost?
According to a survey in 2014 the average cost of a funeral in the UK was £7600 with funeral prices having risen by 80% in the 10 years from 2004 (source).
This average funeral cost was calculated from the cost of a burial or cremation (including non-discretionary fees) of almost £3500, plus the cost of memorials, funeral flowers & wreaths, and catering of roughly £2000, plus discretionary estate admin costs of over £2,100.
It was estimated that these funeral costs would leave 100,000 people in the UK struggling to pay the bill.
It is perhaps because of these ever rising costs that prepaid funeral plans seem to be more popular than ever, where you can pay now or in instalments and have a kind of funeral insurance policy that will guarantee to cover certain parts of your funeral bills;
And also why there are more and more funeral directors offering low cost funerals to cater against the expense of typical funeral prices.
Low Cost Funerals
The lowest cost funeral that is available today is a direct cremation service, where the body of the deceased is escorted to the crematorium by the funeral director and then the cremation takes place.
These simple funerals do not involve a service of remembrance, flowers, hymns, songs, readings, or – perhaps critically – mourners, it is simply a delivery of the body of the person who has died to a crematorium where they are cremated, and their ashes collected.
Perhaps this is a sad indictment of society in general, when the end of a life of a Human Being is reduced to a simple process without ceremony, purely on a cost basis because of financial necessity.
It is worth pointing out that even though these are classed as the lowest cost type of funeral, I suppose what you could call "cheap funerals", this type of funeral will still probably cost in excess of £1000, which isn't "cheap" at all by most people's standards.
The cost of these funerals is made up partly of the charges from the crematorium, which will vary depending on where the cremation takes place, since it is set by the local council, plus doctors fees (they charge for issuing a death certificate), and some other sundry unavoidable costs.
Of course the funeral director also has to cover their costs and this also adds to the final bill.
So to answer the question of how much is a funeral, how much does it cost?
The total price depends entirely on the choices that you make, the flowers, the wreaths, whether you choose a burial or cremation, the type of hearse (horse drawn, motorbike, motor car, etc), the type of headstone and memorials, and all of the other options that are available to you.
These include things like the type of coffin, if you would like the releasing of doves at the funeral, if you would like memorial (cremation) jewellery, the place where the funeral and service will take place, catering, stationery, and everything else that you might decide on.
Local Celebrants and Funeral Service Providers
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email me:
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There are currently no celebrants added to this page.
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What do you need to do when someone dies?
Your Funeral Director will be able to help and guide you through the formalities and legal requirements that you will face when someone dies.
Some of these formalities may take place before you contact your local Funeral Director, and there may be others that you will need to deal with.
Knowing what needs to happen will make it easier for you, this is explained below.
Planning a funeral may seem like a daunting task, but the process will not be as difficult as you imagine, and your funeral director will help and assist you through it all.
Registering a death – What You Need to Know and Do
Before you can register a death a medical certificate of the cause of death needs to be obtained, the process is slightly different depending on whether a person dies at home or in a hospital or nursing home.
When someone dies at home
When someone passes away at home their doctor (GP) needs to be informed as soon as possible.
The GP will usually visit the home and should be able to issue a certificate giving the cause of death if the death was expected.
If you are not sure who their GP was then you should call an ambulance instead.
If the GP is unsure about the cause of death then they will not be able to issue the certificate, in this case the coroner must be informed.
The body of the person who has died will then be taken to a hospital mortuary where a post mortem may need to take place.
When someone dies in hospital
If a person dies in hospital, a hospital doctor will issue the certificate of cause of death.
The remains of the person who has died will be taken to the hospital mortuary while you arrange for a funeral director to collect them.
If the doctor is unsure about the cause of death then they will not be able to issue the certificate, in this case the coroner will be informed and they may order a post mortem examination.
The Registration
A death usually needs to be registered within 5 days and in the register office covering the area where the person lived, unless the person died in a hospital or nursing home in which case it should be the office covering that address.
Registration can be extended for a further 9 days if a medical certificate has been issued, however if the coroner is involved then you cannot register the death until these investigations are completed.
The death can be registered by any of the following people:
- a relative of the person who has died;
- a person present when the person died;
- a relative living in the district where the person died;a
- a person who owns or lived at the place where the person died;
- the person arranging the funeral, but this cannot be the funeral director;
You will need to provide the medical certificate of the cause of death, and if possible their birth certificate and marriage or civil partnership certificate, and also if possible their NHS medical card;
The registrar will also need to know:
- The date and place that the person died;
- The full name of the person (including maiden name);
- Their address;
- Their date of birth;
- The persons occupation and, for married or widowed women, the full name and occupation of her husband;
- Detail of a pension or benefits that the person was receiving;
When you have registered the death, the registrar will give you a green form to give to your funeral director. This is the certificate authorising a burial or cremation service.
The registrar will also give you a certificate of the registration of a death to send to the Department for Work and Pensions or local Social Security office.
The death certificate is also needed to close bank accounts and insurance, and to deal with property and the will of the deceased so it is advisable to purchase several copies from the registrar.
What happens when someone dies abroad?
It can be a traumatic time when a UK citizen dies abroad, since you will have to deal with the legal requirements of the country in which the person died, which may be very different to the process in the UK.
Fortunately the British authorities will help you.
The British Consulate, Embassy, or Commission in the country where the person has died will need to be informed, and they will ask the Police in the UK to inform the next-of- kin. They will also help you and give you advice on what you need to do.
They will also help you with registering the death, since all deaths have to be registered in the country where the person passed away, it is also necessary to report the death to the Foreign and Commonwealth office in the UK.
To register a death abroad you will need to provide certain information about yourself and the person who has died, which includes full name and date of birth, details of next of kin, passport number and where the passport was issued.
International Repatriation
In many cases the family of the deceased will want to have the remains of the person returned to the UK for a family funeral, although it is possible for the funeral to take place in the country where the person died.
Bringing the person home is known as international repatriation and is organised and carried out by specialised funeral directors or undertakers who will guide and advise you on the necessary requirements.
In order to satisfy these requirements you will need a number of documents which include an English translation death certificate, permission to remove the persons body from the country, and a certificate of embalming.
These additional expenses can significantly increase the overall funeral costs and so it is advisable to see if the person had travel insurance that can help with the costs of repatriation.
The British Consulate or an international undertaker will advise you on how to obtain the necessary documentation.
You will need to obtain a certificate from the registrar before the person can be buried, and for a cremation you need to obtain permission from the Home Office.
Some funeral directors will be able to help you with all of the required steps including dealing with the authorities and even booking the flight to return your loved one home.
What happens when a foreign national dies in the UK?
In this case you will be required to register the death in the UK and follow the procedures laid out by the UK authorities.
You can then arrange with a funeral director to repatriate the person back to their home country as above.
Planning Ahead - Helping Your Family to Choose the Funeral that You Want
In this final section is some advice on planning ahead so that your family know what your wishes were, and can give you the send off that you wanted. There are 2 main ways to plan your funeral in advance, these are a record of wishes, and pre-paid funeral insurance plans. You should also consider making a will.
Record of Wishes
It is a stressful and traumatic enough time when someone you love dies, and this can be made far worse if your loved ones do not know what your wishes are regarding your funeral.
A record of wishes is a free service offered by many funeral directors and organisations that allow you to record your wishes in advance, so that your loved ones can have peace of mind that they have carried out the funeral and service that you wanted.
http://www.dyingmatters.org provide this service free of charge.
Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
Prepaid funeral plans are funeral insurance plans that allow you to choose the funeral and service that you want, and to pay for it in advance so that you don't leave your family with a financial burden that they may find difficult to bear.
One of the main advantages is that your money is held in an independently controlled and audited trust so that it is completely safe, and they usually have a guarantee that your plan will cover rising funeral costs so that it covers at least a significant portion of the cost of your funeral at a later date.
Additionally by choosing your funeral it gives you the peace of mind that your wishes will be known and respected, and it also brings comfort to your family at a difficult time by removing the burden of trying to make the choices that they think you would have wanted.
You are in effect planning your own funeral (for want of a better way of putting it).
Costs that are covered
With pre paid funerals the rising costs that a funeral director will charge over time are accounted for, the inflation proof guarantee means that these costs are guaranteed to be covered.
Other costs which may increase over time like doctors fees, crematoria fees, etc (these are known as disbursements) cannot be guaranteed since they are outside the control of your funeral director.
Prepaid funerals make a contribution towards these costs, and you can opt to pay more towards them if you prefer so that you know that they should be covered.
These funeral payment plans are designed to be flexible and so you can opt to either pay a lump sum, or to pay in instalments, it really is down to your personal preference and circumstances, but it is usually possible to accommodate any requirements that you may have.
Remember though that if you are paying in instalments and you die before you have made the final payment, then your plan will only cover the costs of part of your funeral. You can apply for a funeral plan here.
Am I too old to take out a funeral plan?
No! There is no age limit, and there are also no intrusive questions about your health or other personal matters, but instalment plans tend to cost more overall, and generally speaking funeral plans cost more the older you are, prices may vary greatly depending on your age.
If you change your mind or need to cancel your plan then you will usually be able to obtain a refund, although there may be an administrative charge that you will need to take into account.
For many people in many different circumstances, paying for your funeral in advance can be a fantastic idea, since it not only means that you could save a tremendous amount of money on the eventual cost of your funeral, but more importantly for most people it gives you and your loved ones the total peace of mind that you wishes will be met, and that there will be no financial struggle for the people that you leave behind.
Making a Will
It is a difficult enough time for your family having to deal with their emotions and arrange your funeral, without them then having to contend with what happens afterwards if you haven't made a will.
If this happens (it's called dying intestate) then the law will decide how your money and assets are divided among your relatives, no matter what you wished, or the state of your relationships before you passed away.
For this reason it is very important that you sort out your affairs with a will sooner rather than later, and when you consider that it takes very little time and costs relatively little then it makes sense to make a will.
You can learn more about wills and how to make one here.
On top of that remember that most wills are read after the funeral, so if your wishes regarding your funeral are contained in your will then it may cause further distress if your loved ones later discover that they did not observe your wishes.
Frequently Asked Questions and Further Information
Planning a funeral is a confusing and stressful experience, at a time when you could do without any extra worries or difficult to understand hurdles to contend with.
This website aims to help and guide you through the steps that you have to take (as required by law), and then to show you other options and choices that you could make when planning the funeral in Taunton and the surrounding areas.
We are not advising you on what to do, merely presenting information about what you should and can do.
All of the information on this website is free to use and is provided in good faith, but we make no claims to the accuracy of the information and recommend that you seek professional help.
Please see our website terms and conditions here for further clarification.
No, we are not Funeral Directors and are not trying to sell anything to you nor offer any services to you, and nor can we.
We produced this website after experiencing a bereavement ourselves and finding the process difficult, traumatic and confusing, and so we wanted to produce a guide that could help people in a similar position that we found ourselves in.
On top of that we worked with a Funeral Director commercially and so we have a solid understanding of what happens from the other side of the equation, and the common things that people struggle with and need help with.
Unfortunately we can't.
We are not offering a commercial service to families of the bereaved, and nor are we able or qualified to.
We are offering general information that you may find useful and that applies to most people, but your circumstances and requirements may not be "normal" and so you really need to contact and take advice from your local funeral directors or other funeral oriented professionals.
While we want to help people during a difficult time, we cannot offer any kind of one-to-one or specific advice.
You can get direct help and advice from these:
Funeral Directors in Taunton
Nigel K Ford 45a Station Road Taunton TA1 1NZ 01823 338 369 http://www.nigelford.co.uk
Magdalene Funeral Service 10 Magdalene Lane Taunton TA1 1SE 01823 211010
Leonard E Smith 1 Haydon Rd Taunton TA1 1SY 01984 632420
Leonard E Smith Funeral Directors 1 Haydon Road Taunton TA1 1SY 01823 272 122
Taunton Funeral Service 55a Bridge Street Taunton TA1 1TP 01823 321 077 http://www.tauntonfuneralservice.com
E White & Son (Taunton) Ltd East Reach Taunton TA1 3HN 01823 272183 http://www.e-whiteandson.co.uk/
E White & Son Taunton Ltd 138-139a East Reach Taunton TA1 3HN 01823 272 183 http://www.ewhiteandsonfuneralstaunton.co.uk/
Paul Fudge 6 The Mount Taunton TA1 3NR 01642 662743
Thomas Brothers Funeral Directors 95 Galmington Road Taunton TA1 5NP 01823 352 916
The Co-operative Funeralcare 32 Priorswood Rd Taunton TA2 7PW 01823 272139
W.H Berry & Son Coxhill Taunton TA3 7RL 01823 601386
Wallacestuart Funeral Directors Screedy Taunton TA4 1NH 07783 520280
Taunton Funeral Service West Rd Taunton TA4 2TB 01984 624149 http://www.tauntonfuneralservice.com/
Quantock Funeral Services Eastcombe Taunton TA4 3HU 01823 971447
Oak Funeral Services Ltd 32a Long Street Taunton TA4 4QU 01984 248 006 http://www.oakfunerals.co.uk
You can get help and advice from a number of professional organisations and bodies:
The UK Government
https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview (regarding payments)
https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/arrange-the-funeral (regarding arranging a funeral)
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement (regarding benefits)
Citizens Advice
The National Association of Funeral Directors
The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
The Natural Death Centre


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