Go out in a more ecofriendly way!

AndyC · January 27, 2010, 06:14:12 PM

Quote from: Trevor on January 27, 2010, 02:12:21 AM
When I go, I want the same thing as my Dad had: family and friends around having a party on me.

You do mean at your expense, right?

Rev. Powell · January 27, 2010, 07:11:52 PM

Coffins are an unconscionable scam. The highest priced item you will ever be forced to purchase that serves no useful function.

AndyC · January 27, 2010, 11:32:55 PM

There's an artist not far from here who has spent the last couple of decades covering his substantial piece of land with huge concrete sculptures. I interviewed him a few years ago about an item on his website where he offered to take a person's ashes and mix them into the concrete for one of his gigantic monoliths - for the nominal fee of $10,000. It was kind of a tongue-in-cheek statement about the high cost of funerals, but he said if anyone was willing to pay, he'd certainly do it. As far as I know, he's had no takers, but he did get some inquiries from people who just wanted to know if he was serious. The headline of my story was about Peter Camani's "monumental undertaking."

Here's the picture that went with it:

Trevor · January 28, 2010, 01:42:18 AM

Quote from: AndyC on January 27, 2010, 06:14:12 PM
Quote from: Trevor on January 27, 2010, 02:12:21 AM
When I go, I want the same thing as my Dad had: family and friends around having a party on me.

You do mean at your expense, right?

Yes, that is what Dad did and what I want: he left some money for it and so will I.

Leah · January 28, 2010, 07:24:39 PM

i will donate my body, though

flackbait · January 28, 2010, 07:56:10 PM

Just dig a hole, shove my body in and call it good! I don't need no damn elaborate funeral either. I just want a big wake and a lot of people having a good time.

Jack · January 29, 2010, 11:11:00 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wicker is just wood. How would this be any better than a pine box? I suppose it would decompose more quickly, but I don't think that would matter unless you were planning on digging your loved one up in in a few months. Which I find...odd.

paula · January 30, 2010, 12:29:05 AM

shoot me into space. My body won't clutter up the world PLUS I will be frozen and preserved forever.

indianasmith · January 30, 2010, 12:42:23 AM

I want to be buried in an above ground, marble mausoleum . . . . in a long black cape. Then I shall rise in the night and haunt the dreams of pale-skinned English girls wearing low cut gowns . . .

Newt · January 30, 2010, 08:49:20 AM

Quote from: flackbait on January 28, 2010, 07:56:10 PM
Just dig a whole, shove my body in and call it good! I don't need no damn elaborate funeral either. I just want a big wake and a lot of people having a good time.

Newt · January 30, 2010, 08:56:52 AM

Quote from: Jack on January 29, 2010, 11:11:00 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wicker is just wood. How would this be any better than a pine box? I suppose it would decompose more quickly, but I don't think that would matter unless you were planning on digging your loved one up in in a few months. Which I find...odd.

I was thinking about that too. It seems to me that where the 'eco-friendly' comes in is more in the production of the box than in what happens to it underground. Most burials are at depth that does not give surface plants etc access to the remains, and presumably is safe for the local groundwater. So contamination of the environment by the burial should be at a minimum.

Should it be assumed that anyone planning to be 'green' after death will eschew enbalming as well? I would think that would involve more chemicals being introduced to the environment than the casket will.

Criswell · January 30, 2010, 03:15:43 PM

My funeral will involve watching every dvd i own, Then a 32 hour prayer session and then another one bites the dust will be played

BTM · January 31, 2010, 02:21:15 AM

Quote from: Newt on January 30, 2010, 08:49:20 AM
Just dig a whole, shove my body in and call it good!

Er... but you want them to COVER the hole afterwords, right? Otherwise it might get a little ripe in that neighborhood after a few days...

AndyC · January 31, 2010, 08:06:19 AM

Quote from: Newt on January 30, 2010, 08:56:52 AM
Most burials are at depth that does not give surface plants etc access to the remains,

I remember hearing on the radio about an eco-friendly burial option that took the opposite approach. Get buried in a more shallow grave, and let the plants get at you. Keeps your nutrients from going to waste, and preserves the whole "circle of life" thing. Can't argue with it for practicality, I suppose.
http://www.greenlaneburialfield.co.uk/index.htm
This place maintains a nature preserve, but I vaguely remember another place where actual crops get planted on top of the residents. Again, can't argue with the practicality, but it might be a bit too "Secret Window" for my liking.

Myself, I'd like to go for a less eco-friendly funeral, but nobody does atmospheric nuclear tests anymore.

flackbait · January 31, 2010, 09:51:56 PM

Quote from: BTM on January 31, 2010, 02:21:15 AM
Quote from: Newt on January 30, 2010, 08:49:20 AM
Just dig a whole, shove my body in and call it good!

Er... but you want them to COVER the whole afterwords, right? Otherwise it might get a little ripe in that neighborhood after a few days...

Hey its their choice! But it might kinda suck when I start attracting animals!

In all seriousness, thats a good point I don't really want to be stinking up the place!