Whaaattt?

I prefer the idea of simply composting.

 

We have always just buried our pets in the garden alongside one of their favourite toys. I would quite like that for myself in one of these eco friendly burial grounds. I can’t imagine boiling up my old dog in hot water and chemicals until it turns to soup, then grinding up its bones and drying the lot into powder to then be disposed of. It sounds weird.

 

The idea doesn't become any more appealing when the headline in one paper is "Boil in the bag cremations". The thought of the remains then being flushed down the drain doesn't help either.

 

The son of a friend of ours had an eco-burial, with wicker coffin etc. The only problem was that the burial ground was a field with very long grass, nobody had been informed in advance, and it had been persisting down with rain for days before. The walkway was thick mud so there was no option but to walk through the long grass. Everybody's clothes were soaked and many pairs of shoes ruined. The only people with wellies were his immediate family. I appreciate it was a horrible time for them but I would have thought the undertakers might have advised them to let people know.
I'd never been to an eco-funeral before so just wore normal clothes as did 90% of the attendees.

 

Something to remember them by then?

“Do you remember that funeral in that field? Ruined my best stillettos.”

 

I think the idea of dipping a body in liquid nitrogen has potential. It becomes brittle and then you just shake it into pieces.

 

You could then be spread around your own garden as blood and bone meal.

 

My mother always said that when she died we could put her in the bin if we wanted. Didn't go quite that far but she's scattered around our garden and - just to honour her wishes - a spoonful of ashes went into the household waste.

 

I'd never heard of water cremation before. Can't see it's any worse than any other method and better if more "green" IMO. Slightly more expensive according to the report but still an option if wanted.

 

This discussion reminds me to take action on donating my body to science. It makes perfect sense, if some student chopping up my sinews comes up with something useful, it's a definite plus.

Here in Newcastle you have to visit the uni office in person to sign the donation papers. I trust the staff is forbidden of making jokes "See you soon!"

They offer a free cremation on what's left.

My family tradition is coffin in the ground next to relatives, which is beautiful but personally I don't feel that's important. The Child knows my wishes very well (she checks them every time I have a cough ) but I do need to make the effort to formalise my donation. The Child can't do that on my behalf once it's too late.

My Grandmother used to say that we need to bury her but the later generations, seen the amount of preservatives they eat, can probably just be propped up in a corner. She was a great person.

 

Re the goings on over the water, I was suddenly reminded of this song. It shows my age…

Lonnie Donegan - Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight Lyrics | Lyrics.com