THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603260124
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 152 lines
`Hidden costs' of death
I would like to share with readers my dismay at all of the ``hidden costs'' tacked upon the cost of my mother's funeral. These are costs that I neither understand nor feel are warranted. These costs are simply hidden money makers for the city of Norfolk and Forest Lawn Cemetery.
My mother passed away in February. This was, and still is, a traumatic and emotional event for me, my family and especially my father. My mother and father were together for more than 50 years.
I made the funeral arrangements at H.D. Oliver Funeral Home on Colonial Avenue. I was treated most courteously and, I feel, fairly by all associated with the funeral home. One of the ``costs'' of a funeral is the ``opening and closing'' of the grave. The charge for this is normally $430. It is hard for me to understand this basic fee. How can the digging of a grave cost the city this much?
This, however, is not the end of this story. The funeral director informed me that because my mother was being laid to rest on a holiday (Presidents' Day), there would be an additional $200 charged for the opening and closing of the grave. This charge is absurd and a blatant rip-off of the consumer. How dare the city charge the basic fee for ``opening and closing'' a grave to begin with and then have the nerve to charge an additional $200 because the funeral is on a holiday?
I do suppose that my family and I had the choice to wait and have the funeral a day later, thus prolonging the emotional sadness and trauma for another day. My father is 88 years old and the family felt very strongly that to wait would only put more stress and sorrow upon him.
This does not end the tale of ``hidden charges.'' It is now March and my father wishes for my mother to have a memorial stone in place as soon as possible. After visiting several memorial companies in the area, my father and I finally decided upon a suitable stone. The owner of the memorial company asked, ``Did you know that Forest Lawn (the city of Norfolk) charges for placing a marker in their cemetery?''
I was totally shocked. This gentleman went on to inform me that Forest Lawn charges 45 cents ``per square inch'' (these fees would be $378, $291 and $340 respectively for the ``modest'' memorials picked out) to put up a memorial stone. This charge is to pour the footing upon which the stone sits. The owner of the company stated that this charge should be (at most) around $60. I know how Nauticus and the MacArthur ``whatever'' will be funded (by the living and the deceased).
It is a terrible shame that the city where I and my family have lived our entire lives (supported, encouraged people to live and not leave, and paid taxes) has to prey upon the suffering and emotional loss of its citizens. I was also informed that Portsmouth will probably follow Norfolk's example. Citizens of Portsmouth, beware!
Thomas J. Baker
Mayflower Road
General diploma no good
I would like to respond to The Virginian-Pilot's March 4 editorial entitled ``Norfolk's Bold Step.'' I applaud the Norfolk School Board for abolishing its general diploma.
For so long, many students have graduated without the advanced skills in reading, writing, mathematics and higher level thinking. When they go off to college, they will be faced with tougher courses that are more demanding, and they will be required to do more independent reading and research.
In order to increase the academic requirements in Norfolk Public Schools, the students will have to take more math, more foreign languages, more science, more social studies and definitely more English.
In the year 2000, many jobs will demand advanced academic and technical skills. Furthermore, many colleges and universities are tightening admission standards, which mean they will be looking at the overall quality of the student's academic preparation.
Believe me, this is a step in the right direction. The School Board has taken a bold leap, and I am optimistic that a ripple effect will follow.
Richard L. Staton
Commonwealth Drive
This letter is concerning The Virginian-Pilot's March 4 article entitled ``Norfolk's Bold Step.'' I am presently in the eighth grade at Ruffner Middle School, which means I am greatly affected by the diminishing of the general diploma.
In my opinion, it was a wise and sensible decision. There are too many students graduating who don't acquire the skills that are necessary to achieve in the world. The doing away with this diploma sets higher standards, which can result in a stronger desire to reach goals and graduate from high school.
Crystal Rhodes
East Bayview Boulevard
I am writing in reference to The Virginian-Pilot's March 4 editorial entitled ``Norfolk's bold step.''
I think abolishing the general diploma will help to improve high school students' grade-point averages. I believe that it will give below-average students a chance to be average or above-average students. But I disagree with what Pamela Kloeppel says. Students do not always do what is demanded of them. I think abolishing the general diploma just might raise Norfolk's dropout rates greatly.
Nicole Mikell
Friden Street
I am an eighth-grader and a member of the class of 2000. I am writing to express my opinion of the effects of the elimination of the ``general diploma.''
I personally do not feel the elimination would affect me nor my plans for the future. I am enrolled in advanced subjects and while I am now earning graduation credits, I have selected a course of study, which after completion, would have earned an academic diploma. My courses and subjects are not easy winners, but rather, are challenges. I have planned my curriculum to advance me in my chosen career. Earning an academic diploma will have given me higher standards for the college I select. It will give me a greater variety of colleges to select from as well.
I also feel there will be a higher ratio of drop-outs for some of the same, and opposite, reasons of mine. Some students think opportunity is the easiest and quickest way. Once that way is removed and replaced by a challenge, it will become too difficult for some.
I think the general diploma should be eliminated. I also think the reasons of a deficient education, as identified by the general diploma, should be explained by the teachers to their classes from the sixth grade forward, time and time again.
Jason D. Williams
Townsend Court
Keep the general diploma
I am responding to The Virginian-Pilot's editorial from March 4 entitled ``Norfolk's Bold Step.'' I don't think it is right to get rid of the general diploma. If you make a person work so hard just to get a piece of paper that isn't even a diploma, that isn't fair. People who really work hard in school should be able to get the general diploma. I'm saying this because I'm in the eighth grade and this will affect my classmates and me in the year 2000. So, again, I think Norfolk should keep the general diploma.
Melanie McCurdy
Sturgis Road
I am responding to The Virginian-Pilot's article about the general diploma, entitled ``Norfolk's Bold Step.'' I am in the class of 2000 and disagree very heavily with taking the general diploma out of Norfolk schools. I think instead that the School Board should put a limit on the ``easy'' electives in the schools and require a certain amount of the ``hard'' ones. Thank you for hearing my opinion on the subject.
Jennifer Hudson
Fishermans Road
A small price to pay
In response to the recent article about SPSA raising their costs by 50 cents, please don't forget that as odd as it may sound, it is the ethical thing for a good citizen to do.
We are practicing resource conservation when we recycle and reduce our waste stream. If your aluminum cans are pilfered at your curbside, which is a misdemeanor and can carry a fine, at least they are being recycled and not being wastefully added to our landfill.
The attitude that we can throw ``away'' our waste for future generations to deal with because it is costing us pennies in the short run must be changed if we are to become a sustainable society - one that satisfies its needs without diminishing the prospects of future generations.
Iva Robinett
West Belvedere Road by CNB