The first person I asked was a very close friend of mines. Her family has similar views that my family has. I asked her when she dies how does she want to be handled like, being buried, or cremation. She couldn’t decide. She was explaining on how she’s scared of cremation because she hates the idea of her body going up in flames, but likes the idea of spreading her ashes. When she thinks about being buried she hates the idea of being 6 feet under, but then again her family is more towards a burial, in the fact that its more traditional. I too find myself in this predicament. But I feel that the third person I interviewed really helped me in a decision.
The second person I talked to had a whole new idea that I never heard of. He wanted to have his body be stripped naked and put in woods for the crows and animals to feed off of his body. I was shocked when I heard this. I never thought about doing that. My immediate reactions was my body being mutilated, but then again no matter what you choose it’s not going to be always in perfect condition. I asked him why he chose this and he said because Indians did it a long time ago and it could feed other animals. He is also a very spiritual person, and doesn't believe in religion.
The third person I asked was 110% for cremation. She wanted to have all her loved ones have her ashes so she can feel that she is always with her family. She also gets nervous when she is around dead people. Ever since she was a young child she would have a temper tantrum when she would go to funerals. She hates the idea of burial because she also feel that her body wouldn’t let go of her soul and her soul would be trapped in her body 6 feet deep on the earth. This person really influenced my decision in choosing cremation. I’m a spiritual person too so I think I’m going to have to do more research.
The fourth person that I interviewed was thinking about donating his body so that scientist can use it. He knew that his body would “rot” so he said you might as well use it for something good. He is also a biology lover (so that may have influenced his decision), and is an atheist. It made a lot of sense on why someone would do this. I see how religion plays a huge roll in care of the dead. I would like to see more evidence towards this.
Lora,
ReplyDeleteOne thing that stuck out to me was when you interviewed the second guy, and got his answer. I don't think I ever heard of that kind of funeral before and it kind of stuck out to me because this whole time I kept only thinking about burial and creamation and totallly forgot that there are other opions, and some are very "unique"! It made3 me wonder what makes a burial a burial. This was a good post but mabe next you could put your connections to yourself in a summery paragraph( to help the reader).
Hey Lora,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog post. I feel like it was very well detailed and kept me reading. To be honest when I read about the second guy I thought what the hell, but then I thought about it and realized that if your picking out a ceremony like that then your a hell of a lot more creative then most of the people I know. Also that everybody is entitled to what they want done with them, that is until its too late. I think I can relate to the first person the most because I really dont know either and its a hard choice. In order to be set on what you want to happen with your body when it dies, which seems like we have forever to choose until that day, you must have thought about it a lot.
Great post.
I liked your post Lora because you interviewed all types of people who all wanted different ways of leaving the earth based on their spiritual/religious preference and that of a person who doesn't believe in a "higher power" The second person you interviewed made sense in why they would want to be eaten up by animals and nature but like yourself I too I'm scared imagining that. I also wonder if it's legal to just leave a dead body in the woods as your burial. I thought your post was interesting. Good job
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