Not to be morbid or anything...
Posted by VegHeadZealia on Sep 10, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 1665 posts
but I think I figured outhow I want o be buried...
Check out these Eco friendly coffins. They are made of biodegratable cardboard.
http://www.ecocoffins.com/show_all.htm
I think I want my family to bury me int eh plain cardboard one but at my wake or memorial service or whatever...for my family and friends to decorate, write on, decoupage and draw on the coffin before they put me in the earth...
I realize that cremation is more environmentally friendly, but fire makes me really sad. Of course, I don't know how much of my body will be left for viewing----cause hopefully they will be able to donate the majority of the organs and tissues...
SO...My friends, how do all of YOU want to be honored after you leave your bodies? :D
I was just telling my husband the other day that I want to be turned into a diamond :)
There was an article about this in the October issue of Vegetarian Times - I just read it last night :D I had no idea you could get the coffins in designs or personalized. Wow!
I just read that article in Vegetarian Times, as well! What I was surprised at is that it's cheaper to be buried in an eco-friendly way..okay, that's not surprising..but what is, is that the greater majority are opting for the other, more expensive, less environmentally friendly means. ...and, why exactly?
I think I want my family to bury me int eh plain cardboard one but at my wake or memorial service or whatever...for my family and friends to decorate, write on, decoupage and draw on the coffin before they put me in the earth...
I like the decorating idea!!
I've been thinking about this too - morbid or not, whatever.
Is it possible to donate your organs prior to cremation?
I just read that article in Vegetarian Times, as well! What I was surprised at is that it's cheaper to be buried in an eco-friendly way..okay, that's not surprising..but what is, is that the greater majority are opting for the other, more expensive, less environmentally friendly means. ...and, why exactly?
I guess it's one of those things... My Grandmother refuses to buy a new pair of shoes because she needs to save money for her funeral... What would the neighbours think if she was buried in something cheap!
I've always wanted to be buried in a forest (sans cofin), so my decaying body can actually nurish something. I mean i spent all my life consuming nutrients, why not give some back?
Bookpapa and I plan to be cremated and sprinkled. ::) I'd like my children to save the ashes of whoever goes first ;) then mix those with whoever goes last; then they can sprinkle them together in a place we have not decided upon yet. But we've got plenty of time to decide on that. 8)
Bookpapa and I plan to be cremated and sprinkled. ::) I'd like my children to save the ashes of whoever goes first ;) then mix those with whoever goes last; then they can sprinkle them together in a place we have not decided upon yet. But we've got plenty of time to decide on that. 8)
I have thought about that same thing! But last Fall semester, I was in a class called Cultural Constructions of the Body (loved it!), and I did my term paper on Human Compost. I think the people in my class thought I was morbid because most of them did their projects on body piercing, tattoos, etc... And I chose to focus on how certain cultures dispose of their dead. ;D But I learned so much! The method (I think it's patented under the name Promessa--it sounds a little nicer than "human compost" ;)) was invented by a Swedish scientist, and is an awesome alternative to cremation. It turns your body into a "fertilizer" & a lot of people choose to have a tree or garden planted in their memory, and then use their composted body to nourish the plants! The process is a lot more environmentally-friendly than cremation. It's becoming more & more popular in Europe, and even starting to spread (in very small numbers, so far) to the U.S.! :) I think that's what I want to do...
If anyone's interested, these links explains it a little more:
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/001657.html
http://www.promessa.se/index_en.asp
Cool idea. We'll look into it... Thanks for the info.
I don't think it is widely available in the U.S. yet, but in Europe it is about the same price as cremation & is becoming more popular... It might not be a very viable option right now, but I'm hoping it will gain popularity here in the near future!
Is it possible to donate your organs prior to cremation?
One MUST donate their organs prior to cremation.. They have to be quite fresh actually...like you can only have been dead for a few minuets when they harvest them...so a lot of being able to donate is dependant upon your circumstances...My family knows I want my organs donated and my skin...also I want my hair cut and donated to locks of love (you can do that while your alive, by the way...I donated 14 inches last October...) They also know that if I have no brain activity I wan to be kept alive long enough to have transplant patients set up and then be taken off the machines and have my organs harvested immediately. It is so important to talk with you families about your organ donation wishes. Even if you sign up to be an organ and tissue donor, your family can decide otherwise--so be sure they know how important it is to you. ;)
The exception would be if you re donating your body to science...then it can be "older" and yes, they do creamate it after studying it...
WHILE IM THINING OF IT!!!!! You guys should know that you CAN NOT donate bone marrow after you die...it has to be collected BEFORE you die...so if anyone is interested in that- there is a HUGE need. Most people do not donate bone marrow because it is painful. Most people who need bone marrow transplants die waiting for it...I had a friend named Natalie who died of bone marrow cancer when were were about 15....Once I've been in recovery for a year I plan to donate bone marrow in her honor! :)
Bookpapa and I plan to be cremated and sprinkled. ::) I'd like my children to save the ashes of whoever goes first ;) then mix those with whoever goes last; then they can sprinkle them together in a place we have not decided upon yet. But we've got plenty of time to decide on that. 8)
I have thought about that same thing! But last Fall semester, I was in a class called Cultural Constructions of the Body (loved it!), and I did my term paper on Human Compost. I think the people in my class thought I was morbid because most of them did their projects on body piercing, tattoos, etc... And I chose to focus on how certain cultures dispose of their dead. ;D But I learned so much! The method (I think it's patented under the name Promessa--it sounds a little nicer than "human compost" ;)) was invented by a Swedish scientist, and is an awesome alternative to cremation. It turns your body into a "fertilizer" & a lot of people choose to have a tree or garden planted in their memory, and then use their composted body to nourish the plants! The process is a lot more environmentally-friendly than cremation. It's becoming more & more popular in Europe, and even starting to spread (in very small numbers, so far) to the U.S.! :) I think that's what I want to do...
If anyone's interested, these links explains it a little more:
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/001657.html
http://www.promessa.se/index_en.asp
I like the idea of a memeorial tree or plant (like a rose bush, maybe?) rather than a headstone...
I have thought about that same thing! But last Fall semester, I was in a class called Cultural Constructions of the Body (loved it!), and I did my term paper on Human Compost. I think the people in my class thought I was morbid because most of them did their projects on body piercing, tattoos, etc... And I chose to focus on how certain cultures dispose of their dead. ;D But I learned so much! The method (I think it's patented under the name Promessa--it sounds a little nicer than "human compost" ;)) was invented by a Swedish scientist, and is an awesome alternative to cremation. It turns your body into a "fertilizer" & a lot of people choose to have a tree or garden planted in their memory, and then use their composted body to nourish the plants! The process is a lot more environmentally-friendly than cremation. It's becoming more & more popular in Europe, and even starting to spread (in very small numbers, so far) to the U.S.! :) I think that's what I want to do...
If anyone's interested, these links explains it a little more:
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/001657.html
http://www.promessa.se/index_en.asp
I used to want to be cremated, but this sounds really nice- thank you!
VHZ, that is a wonderful idea!
I'm actually taking a class on Death & Dying right now, and we're discussing the willed body program...essentially donating your body to science. so many fascinating things happen to cadavers--I recommend to anyone the book "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Cadavers" by Mary Roach.
anyhoo, I figure that would cut the cost of funeral and burial and all that, so I'm strongly considering doing that. I figure I can let them harvest any of my good organs right away, and then they can have the rest of me to do whatever they want, ha.
This is a little off topic, but I recently went through a death in the family & I was mortified that the crematorium offered miniature urns so you could split the ashes of the deceased. WTF???? My first thought was that it would be like having an arm or leg of the person you loved.
This is a little off topic, but I recently went through a death in the family & I was mortified that the crematorium offered miniature urns so you could split the ashes of the deceased. WTF???? My first thought was that it would be like having an arm or leg of the person you loved.
I'm sorry for your loss...I can certainly understand why it would feel that way. :-\ I guess one way to look at it is that they are staying iin one place in the sense that they are staying in the family that loves them? Kinda like ashes disperse when they are spread somewhere? But I can see why that would bother you regardless.
((((((Lezly))))))hugs to you!
Having both of my parents pass away over the past year.....I can only say that funerals and everything that goes along with them......are such a rip off! They, (the funeral directors) tug at your heart strings.....for what?! It's one thing to pay respect to the deceased....but another thing to charge thousands and thousands of dollars to "put on a show".....to waste land and space....(that's how I view cemeteries)....in all.....it's just how I look at the whole thing regarding death and funerals.
It's also one thing to have family, friends, and business associates get together to honor one of our loved ones when they pass away....I DO believe that is good...and healthy.....it helps those missing and grieving their loss....It's another thing to profit from people's pain. You can still get together and have a church/temple/(whatever you belive in) service to honor your loved one....
Myself.....when my body is done with this life as I know it....and my cells are no longer keeping me alive.....go ahead and dump me in the sea....or even in the woods for that matter....I don't care if I become shark food, or even food for both the little and big animals that roam the forest. It will just be the shell of whom I once was.....that's just the way I look at it....just me. :-[
and yeah...take every single organ from my body that will bring a BETTER life to someone that needs them.... :)
WHILE IM THINING OF IT!!!!! You guys should know that you CAN NOT donate bone marrow after you die...it has to be collected BEFORE you die...so if anyone is interested in that- there is a HUGE need. Most people do not donate bone marrow because it is painful. Most people who need bone marrow transplants die waiting for it...I had a friend named Natalie who died of bone marrow cancer when were were about 15....Once I've been in recovery for a year I plan to donate bone marrow in her honor! :)
Zealia, thanx for bringing this up. It is so easy for anyone to join the unrelated bone marrow registry & believe me, it saves lives. My youngest stepson had Aplastic Anemia & got his bone marrow transplant one week before Christmas in 1993. He was 16 years old. On the 25th of this month, we will celebrate his 30th birthday. We wouldn't have him if it wasn't for the precious gift of a total stranger. All it takes is a simple blood test, then they type match your blood & store the information until it is needed. You do need to be at least 17 years old & in good health.
In Canada,
http://www.bloodservices.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/page/Registry%20Background?OpenDocument
In the US,
http://www.abmdr.org/
When my time comes, my family knows that I do not want to spend eternity entombed. I find no peace in that. Cremate me & spread my ashes. Like Dave says, on the land or sea, it doesn't really matter.
I heard a report on NPR (I feel like start a lot of posts that way... ::)) that was discussing "natural cemeteries. Luckily (for me) they featured one in SC.
Apparently, these people owned some untouched land in an area that is quickly developing and were looking for ways to prevent development (via imminent domain >:(). They found out that if you designate your land as a cemetery, then imminent domain cannot take over. So, in order to preserve the land, they turned it into a natural cemetery.
You can be buried in either an untreated pine box, a cotton sheet/cloth, or nothing. Your family can choose to mark the site with a non-permanent object (stacking rocks/sticks) or just leave it unmarked.
I've already told everyone I know that this is what I want.
Also, Zealia, I agree with you about the whole "loss of brain function " issue. My grandparents (and hence, parents) were huge advocates of "living wills" and "DNR" instructions. Yes. It is very very hard to pull the plug on a loved one, but it is definitely easier when you have their wishes in writing; and IMO much easier than watching them live on a ventilator.
I'd like to be stuffed and mounted on a wall....you know, creep out my friends and family for the rest of their lives
I'd like to be stuffed and mounted on a wall....you know, creep out my friends and family for the rest of their lives
;D I am totally "LOL"ing! Wow... Not that this would ever compare to the weirdness of a stuffed person, but my mom used to joke about turning our old beloved dog into a stuffed table stand & putting a piece of glass on top of him when he died... Like a coffee table... We didn't do it (obviously), but it was a funny visual. We're weird.
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