Really something like this should be up to your father. If he really does not care and does not have something in a will or told you what to do then his wife would be next of kin and have to make all those decisions. If there is no wife in the picture then the children will have to decide, I think with the oldest having the most legal standing.

I've been in this position not too many years ago so I can understand what you are going through. My father was in the hospital and we had to decide what to do. We went with cremation and spread his ashes on some family property. It's not too much of a tradition but he is the second person in my family to have his ashes spread there. Some people who do cremation also keep the ashes in a nice container somewhere in the house, one of my relatives wanted some ashes and I see nothing wrong with that.

We did decide partly because of money but it was not the most important factor. Personally it is not that important which one is chosen for the same reason some of the people here have already mentioned, once someone is dead the body is not important. Burials are much more expensive and don't make much sense to me, you stick a dead body in a box to keep the body looking good and from decomposing just to make the living feel better.


So...she communicates with dead family members. Does she really need body parts or something to do this? she seriously thinks cremation makes ghosts?

It might just be simplier for all if your dad decided. I really don't think it matters which way you go.