Natural burial : Turn your dead body in to a tree. ( good idea...but probably not realistic )

[Paco Dennis]

Posted by
u/nichoj354rtgwert

Maybe someday

 

[WhatInThe]

Natural burials are a ways off simply because the numbers would create a health hazard with water run off, ground water etc especailly on a large scale. I will say the more traditional funeral burial is fading in numerous circles with cremation being a growing choice.

 

[hollydolly]

Then there's the way the vast majority of Indians bury (cremate their dead)....

Horrendous for the environment of course.. ..and also many bodies are not even cremated but just dumped into the river Ganges... . People are so poor they can't afford traditional funerals.
The above picture was taken just 3 months ago during the height of the pandemic... every Pyre a different burning body

 

[feywon]

Natural burials are a ways off simply because the numbers would create a health hazard with water run off, ground water etc especailly on a large scale. I will say the more traditional funeral burial is fading in numerous circles with cremation being a growing choice.

i agree. There are several good arguments for cremation, including that it is more efficient and usually less costly. If the family feels they have to have a 'place' to go to mourn they buy a mausoleum spot. But as mobile and scattered as many families are seems to me the options of one family member having 'custody' of them, scattering them or putting them in the hole before planting a tree or shrub if there's a family homestead likely to be in the family for at least 1 more generation make more sense to me than either burial in cemetery or storage of urn in mausoleum.

 

[feywon]

i feel strongly that the deceased's wishes should be followed, and that's one of those end of life planning things that need to be discussed among family members. But as long as it's legal where you are the deceased's wishes are paramount just as a way of showing respect even tho they are gone. i mention 'legal' because if they want to be scattered in a public place permission might be needed. For that matter in US a licensed crematorium is required for the conversion to ash, i think in all states.

My Mom opted for cremation in 1985, and my brother (16 yrs younger, her 'baby') has had them since our stepdad died. i have no problem with that as her Consciousness was gone and elsewhere when we had the viewing and memorial.

My Dad opted for Cremation in 1995, and prepaid it, wanted his ashes scattered the same place he scattered his last (#5) wife's. My then #3 hubby, 11 yr old daughter and i had cared for him last 6 weeks. One of my sisters, K, was on the deed to his house in Tampa, but she lived in Corpus Christi, TX. We had been there for 6 wks and the humidity was taking a toll on my health so we needed to get back to Wyoming after some of Dad's things were sold and some sent to our other two sisters. i was totally stunned when she told me to leave the ashes in the house till she could get there in early January to prepare for selling it. And i fought her because Dad had been clear about his wishes. It took my eldest sister, M, and a Tampa woman who was a good friend who had been a sort of spiritual mentor to K to get her to agree and stop berating me for my plan to follow what Dad wanted.

i plan on being cremated, and told my kids i'd like my ashes either planted with something or scattered (daughter knows where) but if she felt the need to hold onto them for a while first that was ok.


If it matters to you and you want to make it easier on those left behind at least have the discussion with family so they know what you'd prefer. If in a position to do so prepay any funeral arrangements you can. Dad's prep while alive made it so much easier on all of us.

 

[feywon]

Then there's the way the vast majority of Indians bury (cremate their dead)....

Horrendous for the environment of course.. ..and also many bodies are not even cremated but just dumped into the river Ganges... . People are so poor they can't afford traditional funerals.
The above picture was taken just 3 months ago during the height of the pandemic... every Pyre a different burning body

My estranged first husband, E. Indian from Guyana, S. America was killed 12/10/78 in Corpus Christi, TX. His youngest brother flew down from NYC to handle arrangements and my Sister who lived there assisted him. The body was flown 'home' and cremated on the beach as many Hindus in Guyana were (probably still are, the population is some 40 % E. Indian descent), tho of course usually just 1 at a time most years.