[The Conversation]

Coffin? Casket? Cremation? How To Make Your Death More Environmentally Friendly​

We can all agree humans need to reduce their impact on the environment. And while most of us think of this in terms of daily activities – such as eating less meat, or being water-wise – this responsibility actually extends beyond life and into death.

The global population is closing on eight billion, and the amount of land available for human burial is running out, especially in small and densely populated countries.

To minimise environmental impact, human bodies should return to nature as quickly as possible. But the rate of decay in some of the most common traditional disposal methods is very slow. It can take several decades for a body to decompose.

In a one-of-its-kind study, our team analysed 408 human bodies exhumed from grave pits and stone tombs in the north of Italy to find out what conditions help speed up decay.

We conducted research on bodies exhumed from the La Villetta cemetery in Parma, Italy. Edda Guareschi, Author provided​

The environmental cost of traditional burials​

Funeral rituals should respect the dead, bring closure to families and promote the reaching of the afterlife in accordance with people’s beliefs. This looks different for different people. Although the Catholic church has allowed cremation since 1963, it still prefers burials. Muslims are always supposed to be buried, while most Hindus are cremated.

In Australia, however, the latest census revealed almost 40% of the population identifies as “not religious”. This opens up more avenues for how people’s bodies may be handled after death.

Most traditional burial practices in industrialised countries have several long-lasting harmful effects on the environment. Wood and metal fragments in coffins and caskets remain in the ground, leaching harmful chemicals through paint, preservatives and alloys. Chemicals used for embalming also remain in the ground and can contaminate soil and waterways.

Caskets made out of processed materials like metal and wood are bad for the environment. Shutterstock​

Cremation also has a large carbon footprint. It requires lots of trees for fuel and produces millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, as well as toxic volatile compounds.

There are several alternatives to traditional burials. These include “water cremation” or “resomation” (where the body is rapidly dissolved), human composting, mummification, cryonics (freezing and storage), space burials, and even turning the body into trees or the ashes into diamonds or record vinyls.

However, many of these alternatives are either illegal, unavailable, costly or not aligned with people’s beliefs. The vast majority choose coffin burials, and all countries accept this method. So the question of sustainable burials comes down to choosing between the many types of coffins available.

What leads to faster decomposition?​

Coffins range from traditional wooden caskets, to cardboard coffins, to natural coffins made from willow, banana leaf or bamboo, which decompose faster.

The most environmentally sustainable choice is one that allows the body to decompose and reduce to a skeleton (or “skeletonise”) quickly – possibly in just a few years.

Our research has presented three key findings on conditions that promote the skeletonisation of human bodies.

First, it has confirmed that bodies disposed in traditionally sealed tombs (where a coffin is placed inside a stone space) can take more than 40 years to skeletonise.

In these sealed tombs, bacteria rapidly consume the oxygen in the stone space where the coffin is placed. This creates a micro-environment that promotes an almost indefinite preservation of the body.

We also found burial grounds with a high percentage of sand and gravel in the soil promote the decomposition and skeletonisation of bodies in less than ten years – even if they are in a coffin.

That’s because this soil composition allows more circulation of air and microfauna, and ample water drainage – all of which are helpful for degrading organic matter.

Finally, our research confirmed previous suspicions about the slow decomposition of entombed bodies. We discovered placing bodies inside stone tombs, or covering them with a stone slab on the ground, helps with the formation of corpse wax (or “adipocere”).

This substance is the final result of several chemical reactions through which the body’s adipose (fat) tissues turn to a “soapy” substance that’s very resistant to further degradation. Having corpse wax slows down (if not completely arrests) the decomposition process.

A new, greener option​

In looking for innovative burial solutions, we had the opportunity to experiment with a new type of body disposal in a tomb called an “aerated tomb”.

Over the past 20 years aerated tombs have been developed in some European countries including France, Spain and Italy (where they have been commercialised). They allow plenty of ventilation, which in turn enables a more hygienic and faster decomposition of bodies compared to traditional tombs.

They have a few notable features:

• an activated carbon filter purifies gases
• fluids are absorbed by two distinct biodegrading biological powders, one placed at the bottom of the coffin and the other in a collecting tray beneath it
• once the body has decomposed, the skeletal remains can be moved to an ossuary (a site where skeletal remains are stored), while the tomb can be dismantled and most of its components potentially recycled.

Arguably one of the world’s most famous ossuaries, the Paris Catacombs is an underground labyrinth containing the remains of more than six million people. Shutterstock​

Aerated tombs are also cheaper than ordinary tombs and can be built from existing tombs. They would be simple to use in Australia and would comply with public health and hygiene standards.

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about what will happen to our bodies after we die. Perhaps we should. In the end this may be one of our most important last decisions – the implications of which extend to our precious planet.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Paola Magni Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Murdoch University, Edda Guareschi Adjunct Lecturer in Forensic Sciences at Murdoch University

 

[Dennis]

In the article over burials there was a part saying shortage of land is a problem, I have sometimes wondered why burials could not be done with a stand-up position instead of lying down, a quick grave could be made by a boring machine, this is just a thought, and I would like other people add their thoughts.

 

[SGH]

In the article over burials there was a part saying shortage of land is a problem, I have sometimes wondered why burials could not be done with a stand-up position instead of lying down, a quick grave could be made by a boring machine, this is just a thought, and I would like other people add their thoughts.

I seem to remember reading and article that in Mexico they had started vertical graves in 30 years ago, they were also exhuming and cremating any remains that are left after ten years due to lack of space.

 

[SGH]

We (being my husband and I) have discussed this recently, my argument is that because I don't want a funeral I don't require a coffin to be cremated. No trees need to die, a shroud will do if absolutely necessary. We waste a lot of money on our dead, how about using it on them when they are living.

 

[LadyMoonlight]

Personally, I opt for cremation, ashes in an urn, kept with the family (people rarely visit graves anymore, and remains lay buried and forgotten).
Another option is composting the remains to spread on a garden or anywhere else. I find this method akin to treating the deceased like household waste, so, no, not for me. https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/202...ly-friendly,conditions at an accelerated rate.

 

[Luckyus]

Coffin? Casket? Cremation? How To Make Your Death More Environmentally Friendly​

We can all agree humans need to reduce their impact on the environment. And while most of us think of this in terms of daily activities – such as eating less meat, or being water-wise – this responsibility actually extends beyond life and into death.

The global population is closing on eight billion, and the amount of land available for human burial is running out, especially in small and densely populated countries.

To minimise environmental impact, human bodies should return to nature as quickly as possible. But the rate of decay in some of the most common traditional disposal methods is very slow. It can take several decades for a body to decompose.

In a one-of-its-kind study, our team analysed 408 human bodies exhumed from grave pits and stone tombs in the north of Italy to find out what conditions help speed up decay.

View attachment 8153
We conducted research on bodies exhumed from the La Villetta cemetery in Parma, Italy. Edda Guareschi, Author provided​

The environmental cost of traditional burials​

Funeral rituals should respect the dead, bring closure to families and promote the reaching of the afterlife in accordance with people’s beliefs. This looks different for different people. Although the Catholic church has allowed cremation since 1963, it still prefers burials. Muslims are always supposed to be buried, while most Hindus are cremated.

In Australia, however, the latest census revealed almost 40% of the population identifies as “not religious”. This opens up more avenues for how people’s bodies may be handled after death.

Most traditional burial practices in industrialised countries have several long-lasting harmful effects on the environment. Wood and metal fragments in coffins and caskets remain in the ground, leaching harmful chemicals through paint, preservatives and alloys. Chemicals used for embalming also remain in the ground and can contaminate soil and waterways.

View attachment 8155
Caskets made out of processed materials like metal and wood are bad for the environment. Shutterstock​

Cremation also has a large carbon footprint. It requires lots of trees for fuel and produces millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, as well as toxic volatile compounds.

There are several alternatives to traditional burials. These include “water cremation” or “resomation” (where the body is rapidly dissolved), human composting, mummification, cryonics (freezing and storage), space burials, and even turning the body into trees or the ashes into diamonds or record vinyls.

However, many of these alternatives are either illegal, unavailable, costly or not aligned with people’s beliefs. The vast majority choose coffin burials, and all countries accept this method. So the question of sustainable burials comes down to choosing between the many types of coffins available.

What leads to faster decomposition?​

Coffins range from traditional wooden caskets, to cardboard coffins, to natural coffins made from willow, banana leaf or bamboo, which decompose faster.

The most environmentally sustainable choice is one that allows the body to decompose and reduce to a skeleton (or “skeletonise”) quickly – possibly in just a few years.

Our research has presented three key findings on conditions that promote the skeletonisation of human bodies.

First, it has confirmed that bodies disposed in traditionally sealed tombs (where a coffin is placed inside a stone space) can take more than 40 years to skeletonise.

In these sealed tombs, bacteria rapidly consume the oxygen in the stone space where the coffin is placed. This creates a micro-environment that promotes an almost indefinite preservation of the body.

We also found burial grounds with a high percentage of sand and gravel in the soil promote the decomposition and skeletonisation of bodies in less than ten years – even if they are in a coffin.

That’s because this soil composition allows more circulation of air and microfauna, and ample water drainage – all of which are helpful for degrading organic matter.

Finally, our research confirmed previous suspicions about the slow decomposition of entombed bodies. We discovered placing bodies inside stone tombs, or covering them with a stone slab on the ground, helps with the formation of corpse wax (or “adipocere”).

This substance is the final result of several chemical reactions through which the body’s adipose (fat) tissues turn to a “soapy” substance that’s very resistant to further degradation. Having corpse wax slows down (if not completely arrests) the decomposition process.

A new, greener option​

In looking for innovative burial solutions, we had the opportunity to experiment with a new type of body disposal in a tomb called an “aerated tomb”.

Over the past 20 years aerated tombs have been developed in some European countries including France, Spain and Italy (where they have been commercialised). They allow plenty of ventilation, which in turn enables a more hygienic and faster decomposition of bodies compared to traditional tombs.

They have a few notable features:

• an activated carbon filter purifies gases
• fluids are absorbed by two distinct biodegrading biological powders, one placed at the bottom of the coffin and the other in a collecting tray beneath it
• once the body has decomposed, the skeletal remains can be moved to an ossuary (a site where skeletal remains are stored), while the tomb can be dismantled and most of its components potentially recycled.

View attachment 8156
Arguably one of the world’s most famous ossuaries, the Paris Catacombs is an underground labyrinth containing the remains of more than six million people. Shutterstock​

Aerated tombs are also cheaper than ordinary tombs and can be built from existing tombs. They would be simple to use in Australia and would comply with public health and hygiene standards.

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about what will happen to our bodies after we die. Perhaps we should. In the end this may be one of our most important last decisions – the implications of which extend to our precious planet.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Paola Magni Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Murdoch University, Edda Guareschi Adjunct Lecturer in Forensic Sciences at Murdoch University

Both my wife and I have left our bodies to science.

 

[NotNats]

Personally, I opt for cremation, ashes in an urn, kept with the family (people rarely visit graves anymore, and remains lay buried and forgotten).
Another option is composting the remains to spread on a garden or anywhere else. I find this method akin to treating the deceased like household waste, so, no, not for me. https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023/01/05/human-composting-environment-concerns/#:~:text=Regarded as an environmentally-friendly,conditions at an accelerated rate.

My husband was cremated, and the ashes were then sprinkled into our yard & gardens. In life he never wanted to move from his beloved valley. Now he doesn't have too.
And now the yard has a good supply of calcium for the lawn & flowers.

 

[Shane/#]

Coffin? Casket? Cremation? How To Make Your Death More Environmentally Friendly​

We can all agree humans need to reduce their impact on the environment. And while most of us think of this in terms of daily activities – such as eating less meat, or being water-wise – this responsibility actually extends beyond life and into death.

The global population is closing on eight billion, and the amount of land available for human burial is running out, especially in small and densely populated countries.

To minimise environmental impact, human bodies should return to nature as quickly as possible. But the rate of decay in some of the most common traditional disposal methods is very slow. It can take several decades for a body to decompose.

In a one-of-its-kind study, our team analysed 408 human bodies exhumed from grave pits and stone tombs in the north of Italy to find out what conditions help speed up decay.

View attachment 8153
We conducted research on bodies exhumed from the La Villetta cemetery in Parma, Italy. Edda Guareschi, Author provided​

The environmental cost of traditional burials​

Funeral rituals should respect the dead, bring closure to families and promote the reaching of the afterlife in accordance with people’s beliefs. This looks different for different people. Although the Catholic church has allowed cremation since 1963, it still prefers burials. Muslims are always supposed to be buried, while most Hindus are cremated.

In Australia, however, the latest census revealed almost 40% of the population identifies as “not religious”. This opens up more avenues for how people’s bodies may be handled after death.

Most traditional burial practices in industrialised countries have several long-lasting harmful effects on the environment. Wood and metal fragments in coffins and caskets remain in the ground, leaching harmful chemicals through paint, preservatives and alloys. Chemicals used for embalming also remain in the ground and can contaminate soil and waterways.

View attachment 8155
Caskets made out of processed materials like metal and wood are bad for the environment. Shutterstock​

Cremation also has a large carbon footprint. It requires lots of trees for fuel and produces millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, as well as toxic volatile compounds.

There are several alternatives to traditional burials. These include “water cremation” or “resomation” (where the body is rapidly dissolved), human composting, mummification, cryonics (freezing and storage), space burials, and even turning the body into trees or the ashes into diamonds or record vinyls.

However, many of these alternatives are either illegal, unavailable, costly or not aligned with people’s beliefs. The vast majority choose coffin burials, and all countries accept this method. So the question of sustainable burials comes down to choosing between the many types of coffins available.

What leads to faster decomposition?​

Coffins range from traditional wooden caskets, to cardboard coffins, to natural coffins made from willow, banana leaf or bamboo, which decompose faster.

The most environmentally sustainable choice is one that allows the body to decompose and reduce to a skeleton (or “skeletonise”) quickly – possibly in just a few years.

Our research has presented three key findings on conditions that promote the skeletonisation of human bodies.

First, it has confirmed that bodies disposed in traditionally sealed tombs (where a coffin is placed inside a stone space) can take more than 40 years to skeletonise.

In these sealed tombs, bacteria rapidly consume the oxygen in the stone space where the coffin is placed. This creates a micro-environment that promotes an almost indefinite preservation of the body.

We also found burial grounds with a high percentage of sand and gravel in the soil promote the decomposition and skeletonisation of bodies in less than ten years – even if they are in a coffin.

That’s because this soil composition allows more circulation of air and microfauna, and ample water drainage – all of which are helpful for degrading organic matter.

Finally, our research confirmed previous suspicions about the slow decomposition of entombed bodies. We discovered placing bodies inside stone tombs, or covering them with a stone slab on the ground, helps with the formation of corpse wax (or “adipocere”).

This substance is the final result of several chemical reactions through which the body’s adipose (fat) tissues turn to a “soapy” substance that’s very resistant to further degradation. Having corpse wax slows down (if not completely arrests) the decomposition process.

A new, greener option​

In looking for innovative burial solutions, we had the opportunity to experiment with a new type of body disposal in a tomb called an “aerated tomb”.

Over the past 20 years aerated tombs have been developed in some European countries including France, Spain and Italy (where they have been commercialised). They allow plenty of ventilation, which in turn enables a more hygienic and faster decomposition of bodies compared to traditional tombs.

They have a few notable features:

• an activated carbon filter purifies gases
• fluids are absorbed by two distinct biodegrading biological powders, one placed at the bottom of the coffin and the other in a collecting tray beneath it
• once the body has decomposed, the skeletal remains can be moved to an ossuary (a site where skeletal remains are stored), while the tomb can be dismantled and most of its components potentially recycled.

View attachment 8156
Arguably one of the world’s most famous ossuaries, the Paris Catacombs is an underground labyrinth containing the remains of more than six million people. Shutterstock​

Aerated tombs are also cheaper than ordinary tombs and can be built from existing tombs. They would be simple to use in Australia and would comply with public health and hygiene standards.

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about what will happen to our bodies after we die. Perhaps we should. In the end this may be one of our most important last decisions – the implications of which extend to our precious planet.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Paola Magni Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Murdoch University, Edda Guareschi Adjunct Lecturer in Forensic Sciences at Murdoch University

Cremation for me cardboard coffin ⚰ what ever the family want then my ashes taken out to the sea the other was thinking of donating my body to medical science someone might learn something from that

 

[Frangipanni]

Donating your body to science has its draw backs. My mum wanted this so when she passed it seemed very empty as there was no funeral. It was hard to accept without an end. The university where she was donated to put on a service one year later so I felt all your feelings were dragged to the surface again. Then 3 years later thay rang to say she had now been cremated and her ashes were ready to be picked up again ripping my heart back to day 1 ... made the process of her death drawn out and left me feeling very raw

 

[Cadfael]

For a light hearted answer to burial/cremation costs:


When 1 die, don't bury me at all;
Just pickle my bones in alcohol.
Put a bottle of boo?e at my feet and head;
If it stays there, you will know I am dead.

 

[Jest]

Coffin? Casket? Cremation? How To Make Your Death More Environmentally Friendly​

We can all agree humans need to reduce their impact on the environment. And while most of us think of this in terms of daily activities – such as eating less meat, or being water-wise – this responsibility actually extends beyond life and into death.

The global population is closing on eight billion, and the amount of land available for human burial is running out, especially in small and densely populated countries.

To minimise environmental impact, human bodies should return to nature as quickly as possible. But the rate of decay in some of the most common traditional disposal methods is very slow. It can take several decades for a body to decompose.

In a one-of-its-kind study, our team analysed 408 human bodies exhumed from grave pits and stone tombs in the north of Italy to find out what conditions help speed up decay.

View attachment 8153
We conducted research on bodies exhumed from the La Villetta cemetery in Parma, Italy. Edda Guareschi, Author provided​

The environmental cost of traditional burials​

Funeral rituals should respect the dead, bring closure to families and promote the reaching of the afterlife in accordance with people’s beliefs. This looks different for different people. Although the Catholic church has allowed cremation since 1963, it still prefers burials. Muslims are always supposed to be buried, while most Hindus are cremated.

In Australia, however, the latest census revealed almost 40% of the population identifies as “not religious”. This opens up more avenues for how people’s bodies may be handled after death.

Most traditional burial practices in industrialised countries have several long-lasting harmful effects on the environment. Wood and metal fragments in coffins and caskets remain in the ground, leaching harmful chemicals through paint, preservatives and alloys. Chemicals used for embalming also remain in the ground and can contaminate soil and waterways.

View attachment 8155
Caskets made out of processed materials like metal and wood are bad for the environment. Shutterstock​

Cremation also has a large carbon footprint. It requires lots of trees for fuel and produces millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, as well as toxic volatile compounds.

There are several alternatives to traditional burials. These include “water cremation” or “resomation” (where the body is rapidly dissolved), human composting, mummification, cryonics (freezing and storage), space burials, and even turning the body into trees or the ashes into diamonds or record vinyls.

However, many of these alternatives are either illegal, unavailable, costly or not aligned with people’s beliefs. The vast majority choose coffin burials, and all countries accept this method. So the question of sustainable burials comes down to choosing between the many types of coffins available.

What leads to faster decomposition?​

Coffins range from traditional wooden caskets, to cardboard coffins, to natural coffins made from willow, banana leaf or bamboo, which decompose faster.

The most environmentally sustainable choice is one that allows the body to decompose and reduce to a skeleton (or “skeletonise”) quickly – possibly in just a few years.

Our research has presented three key findings on conditions that promote the skeletonisation of human bodies.

First, it has confirmed that bodies disposed in traditionally sealed tombs (where a coffin is placed inside a stone space) can take more than 40 years to skeletonise.

In these sealed tombs, bacteria rapidly consume the oxygen in the stone space where the coffin is placed. This creates a micro-environment that promotes an almost indefinite preservation of the body.

We also found burial grounds with a high percentage of sand and gravel in the soil promote the decomposition and skeletonisation of bodies in less than ten years – even if they are in a coffin.

That’s because this soil composition allows more circulation of air and microfauna, and ample water drainage – all of which are helpful for degrading organic matter.

Finally, our research confirmed previous suspicions about the slow decomposition of entombed bodies. We discovered placing bodies inside stone tombs, or covering them with a stone slab on the ground, helps with the formation of corpse wax (or “adipocere”).

This substance is the final result of several chemical reactions through which the body’s adipose (fat) tissues turn to a “soapy” substance that’s very resistant to further degradation. Having corpse wax slows down (if not completely arrests) the decomposition process.

A new, greener option​

In looking for innovative burial solutions, we had the opportunity to experiment with a new type of body disposal in a tomb called an “aerated tomb”.

Over the past 20 years aerated tombs have been developed in some European countries including France, Spain and Italy (where they have been commercialised). They allow plenty of ventilation, which in turn enables a more hygienic and faster decomposition of bodies compared to traditional tombs.

They have a few notable features:

• an activated carbon filter purifies gases
• fluids are absorbed by two distinct biodegrading biological powders, one placed at the bottom of the coffin and the other in a collecting tray beneath it
• once the body has decomposed, the skeletal remains can be moved to an ossuary (a site where skeletal remains are stored), while the tomb can be dismantled and most of its components potentially recycled.

View attachment 8156
Arguably one of the world’s most famous ossuaries, the Paris Catacombs is an underground labyrinth containing the remains of more than six million people. Shutterstock​

Aerated tombs are also cheaper than ordinary tombs and can be built from existing tombs. They would be simple to use in Australia and would comply with public health and hygiene standards.

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about what will happen to our bodies after we die. Perhaps we should. In the end this may be one of our most important last decisions – the implications of which extend to our precious planet.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Paola Magni Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science at Murdoch University, Edda Guareschi Adjunct Lecturer in Forensic Sciences at Murdoch University

i have been down for 10 years plus for the university.

 

[MindyMac]

We (being my husband and I) have discussed this recently, my argument is that because I don't want a funeral I don't require a coffin to be cremated. No trees need to die, a shroud will do if absolutely necessary. We waste a lot of money on our dead, how about using it on them when they are living.

Agree. Just straight to the Crematorium and ashes thrown into a multiuse hole with others. No gravestone as well.

 

[MindyMac]

When I die all I want is straight to the Crematorium, cremation and ashes straight into the ground with others.

No funeral. No coffin and absolutely no headstone of any kind anywhere whatsoever. Not even a metal place placed on a wall or large rock.

When I go as far as I'm concerned, that's it. It finally finishes and I want nothing to even say I existed. I do not want people reading a name plate. I want nothing for future generations to say that I even existed. I couldn't have children.

Cemeteries are UGLY. The old graves are ugly. All of the old head stones need to go. They are completely UGLY.

Take into account Botany Cemetery and Eastern Suburbs Cemetery. All the old graves need to go and maybe ground flat plates only replaced. No walls as well.

Instead, save the money on the cost of a coffin (save a tree) and cost of a ridiculous funeral and all monies, as much as possible go to animal shelters instead.

Just plane ugly as far as I'm concerned.

 

[ElleJay]

When I die all I want is straight to the Crematorium, cremation and ashes straight into the ground with others.

No funeral. No coffin and absolutely no headstone of any kind anywhere whatsoever. Not even a metal place placed on a wall or large rock.

When I go as far as I'm concerned, that's it. It finally finishes and I want nothing to even say I existed. I do not want people reading a name plate. I want nothing for future generations to say that I even existed. I couldn't have children.

Cemeteries are UGLY. The old graves are ugly. All of the old head stones need to go. They are completely UGLY.

Take into account Botany Cemetery and Eastern Suburbs Cemetery. All the old graves need to go and maybe ground flat plates only replaced. No walls as well.

Instead, save the money on the cost of a coffin (save a tree) and cost of a ridiculous funeral and all monies, as much as possible go to animal shelters instead.

Just plane ugly as far as I'm concerned.




View attachment 17448

I find this quite sad. I am very interested in family history and I love cemeteries. I find them peaceful and reflective places, and I regularly visit my Mother's and Grandparents' graves. Many years ago, my Mum went to the UK and located graves of our ancestors, which helped her to piece together our family history.

 

[Trudi]

I told my kids that I want to be turned into four diamonds, one for each of them. They looked at me in horror.

I don't want a "funeral"as such, no eulogie, nothing. I just want to be cremated in nothing more elaborate than a cardboard box and my kids can spread my ashes as they see fit.

I also told my kids that I absolutely hate the term "passed away" - we don't "pass away", we DIE. If any of them talk about me "passing away" I will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

 

[Defiant540]

When I die all I want is straight to the Crematorium, cremation and ashes straight into the ground with others.

No funeral. No coffin and absolutely no headstone of any kind anywhere whatsoever. Not even a metal place placed on a wall or large rock.

When I go as far as I'm concerned, that's it. It finally finishes and I want nothing to even say I existed. I do not want people reading a name plate. I want nothing for future generations to say that I even existed. I couldn't have children.

Cemeteries are UGLY. The old graves are ugly. All of the old head stones need to go. They are completely UGLY.

Take into account Botany Cemetery and Eastern Suburbs Cemetery. All the old graves need to go and maybe ground flat plates only replaced. No walls as well.

Instead, save the money on the cost of a coffin (save a tree) and cost of a ridiculous funeral and all monies, as much as possible go to animal shelters instead.

Just plane ugly as far as I'm concerned.




View attachment 17448

Plain maybe?