The blog prompt this week was to describe how we
ourselves would like to be buried. Cremation? The scattering of ashes into the
ocean? Or would you prefer the classic movie burial? Suit, tie, black blazer
over a black dress affair with finger sandwiches and awkward silences. An
elaborate coffin filled with material possessions, symbolic of your supposed
nature, a physical monument to your life, a place for women to weep and men to
stare at in stoic silence.
Stereotyped much?
I think I've been avoiding this question. In typical young adult fashion, despite considering myself a bit of a philosopher, the consequences of my death have always been a topic that can wait for tomorrow. It took me a while to really make any decisions I might commit to.
Here goes.
What I hope would happen at my ideal fantasy funeral. (hey, this might be fun)(uhhhh)
I always kind of assumed cremation might be a nice thing. I imagined my family standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean at sun down, scattering my ashes into the breeze and talking about how awesome I was.
A little bit egotistical but you get the point. Also, there is always the possibility that this will happen...
Source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4zWXte73-k
DUDE.
I don’t believe in an afterlife, heaven, hell, god. I do believe in Science. We know that energy never dies. And so, upon further reflection, I don’t want to be burned, my energy dispersed in the same commercial oven that has been used to cremate so many before me. I want to be buried but as simply as possible. I want a coffin made of simple, unfinished wood, taken from the earth and then returned. Unvarnished, unfinished planks to make up a rectangle shaped box. I want to be buried alone in a coniferous forest away from the city, away from others, in a peaceful area that my loved ones can visit.* I want a tree to mark my grave. A seedling planted at the time of my burial. I like the idea of the tree using my bodily materials, my energy for its growth. I don’t want material possessions in my coffin. Why? Leave the way I came. Except I definitely want to be clothed. A white linen dress and blanket. When I think of this outfit MacBeth’s Ophelia comes to mind. Elegant, flowing:
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_Everett_Millais_-_Ophelia_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg
Man, how macabre.
I want my nearest and dearest to be there for my burial. I want them to plant the tree and then I want them to sit around with beers and have a party. A picnic potluck, ciders, music that I love. I want them to have fun and dance. Maybe they’ll tell stories and share memories. I think that’s it. That sounds nice. When they want to visit me all they have to do is go for a hike to 'my' tree. With the passage of time, perhaps they will begin to see the growth of the tree as the beautiful change that accompanies life and death. Generations will believe that their ancestor's essence inhabits the life forms around that area and it will become a place of contemplation and solace. A place to ask questions of the earth and of ones self. A place to find answers and speak aloud and feel as though the universe is listening.
-A
*I’m pretty sure there are rules on where you can be buried and outside of a cemetery is not one of them. Bummer.
Stereotyped much?
I think I've been avoiding this question. In typical young adult fashion, despite considering myself a bit of a philosopher, the consequences of my death have always been a topic that can wait for tomorrow. It took me a while to really make any decisions I might commit to.
Here goes.
What I hope would happen at my ideal fantasy funeral. (hey, this might be fun)(uhhhh)
I always kind of assumed cremation might be a nice thing. I imagined my family standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean at sun down, scattering my ashes into the breeze and talking about how awesome I was.
A little bit egotistical but you get the point. Also, there is always the possibility that this will happen...
Source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4zWXte73-k
DUDE.
I don’t believe in an afterlife, heaven, hell, god. I do believe in Science. We know that energy never dies. And so, upon further reflection, I don’t want to be burned, my energy dispersed in the same commercial oven that has been used to cremate so many before me. I want to be buried but as simply as possible. I want a coffin made of simple, unfinished wood, taken from the earth and then returned. Unvarnished, unfinished planks to make up a rectangle shaped box. I want to be buried alone in a coniferous forest away from the city, away from others, in a peaceful area that my loved ones can visit.* I want a tree to mark my grave. A seedling planted at the time of my burial. I like the idea of the tree using my bodily materials, my energy for its growth. I don’t want material possessions in my coffin. Why? Leave the way I came. Except I definitely want to be clothed. A white linen dress and blanket. When I think of this outfit MacBeth’s Ophelia comes to mind. Elegant, flowing:
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_Everett_Millais_-_Ophelia_-_Google_Art_Project.jpgI want my nearest and dearest to be there for my burial. I want them to plant the tree and then I want them to sit around with beers and have a party. A picnic potluck, ciders, music that I love. I want them to have fun and dance. Maybe they’ll tell stories and share memories. I think that’s it. That sounds nice. When they want to visit me all they have to do is go for a hike to 'my' tree. With the passage of time, perhaps they will begin to see the growth of the tree as the beautiful change that accompanies life and death. Generations will believe that their ancestor's essence inhabits the life forms around that area and it will become a place of contemplation and solace. A place to ask questions of the earth and of ones self. A place to find answers and speak aloud and feel as though the universe is listening.
-A
*I’m pretty sure there are rules on where you can be buried and outside of a cemetery is not one of them. Bummer.
