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Friday, May 09, 2025
2025.0509.0003...
For some odd reason I've been wanting to share with you the arrangement I've made for the disposition of my body after I die. I liken it to being put into a pressure cooker...
I want to be useful, even after death, but donating my body to science for educational purposes wasn't possible because schools and body farms wouldn't accept bodies with infectious diseases. Stupid. I checked into human composting, but it's even more expensive than aquamation. At first, I didn't like the idea of my "essence" just going down the drain. Then I realized that all of my molecules and atoms will become part of the cycle of water: evaporation, condensation, and then rain.
I heard about this method a few years ago, but it is not widely available or licensed in the US. I think at the time, there were only one or two morticians who could provide the service.
Also looked into natural decomposition, but again, not widely available in these parts.
I am currently going with cremation and having my ashes made into something that can be used as a reef.
I've signed up with the Neptune Society, which does the same thing. Nice to know more and more options are becoming available than using valuable land just to plant a dead body somewhere forever.
Wow Rick - so glad to hear you are choosing this alternative option!
I made arrangements for Water-based Cremation about 7 years ago after watching a YouTube video on it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Le7rLbkFe4) from Motherboard. Being "the greenest way of disposing of human bodies" really appealed to me and I have no religious, familial or personal beliefs on what should happen with my remains. I did briefly joke with my brother (a rather well known artist) that if I were traditionally cremated, he could take my ashes, mix them with cement and make a large, phallic statue with them (featuring a gold, metallic Prince Albert, of course!) that could be planted in my front yard as a memorial. 😁But then I heard about this...
Alkaline Hydrolysis has been used in most major cities/universities across the US for years for the disposal of animal and human remains that are used in medical research and/or by animal control services; however, the option to have it performed voluntarily through a traditional funeral home has remained patchy and sparse.
Surprisingly, many states do authorize the use of Alkaline Hydrolysis for cremation; the difficulty is finding a mortuary/funeral home that has the equipment to do it. Georgia has had it available for years, but there is only one location in the state that offers the procedure.
Not surprisingly, the Catholic Church is highly against the process and is one of the primary reasons it has been "canceled" for the longest time. I'm not sure why since they do support traditional cremation, but there ya go...
If anyone is interested in exploring their options with it, I would recommend visiting the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) website and their webpage on it (https://www.cremationassociation.org/alkalinehydrolysis.html); they discuss where it's legal, has a directory of providers, etc.
I have chosen composting, and placed my wishes in my will. Take whatever body parts are still good, and then to the compost bin. Embalming is NOT the way to go. You guys might be interested in the book, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", by Caitin Doughty, for an interesting look at death culture.
Thank you for showing what is aquamation because here in Province de Québec it's advertised since many years and never had the scientific fact about it. We are mostly in Catholic faith up here but many are using cremation without no restriction from church. As I always liked to swim, aquamation is very appealing for me.
LOL no, no dustpan... here in the US (as I understand) if someone passes and is cremated with no disposition or family to take possession of the remains, the funeral home must keep them in storage for a certain amount of time to give "claimants period" - someone might come out of the woodwork to claim your remains. After that period, the ashes can be consigned for burial in a pauper's grave or mausoleum, depending on what is available.
But - you can specify in your will/intention documents what you want to happen to your cremains.
For instance, the Catholic Church has the Joseph of Aramethia Society which will inter/dispose of cremains for people with no family or minimal resources. Likewise, there is a Catholic holiday (I forget which one) where a person who is authorized by the deceased and/or family can take cremains to a Catholic church, and they will bless them and then place them in a mausoleum or buried if the person has no family or friends.
Or, you can just ask to be scattered somewhere; I am sure there is someone in your life that would be willing to do that for you; especially if you pay them a little sumpim-sumpin in your will... 😊
I had forgotten tha Catlin had written extensively about this. She helped me and my Family with my Mother's last wishes, and it was a good experience. If this comes available in Mexico, I would follow the same route, but, I fear that Cremation is a far better fate than many folks here receive. Here , you cannot buy a Gravesite. You can only rent. Many families will rent for up to two years, return after, and collect the bones and dispose of them carefully. Also, here embalming is not widespread, so Speedy disposition is best. Final Planning is very good, so no one else has to bother with it, and your wishes are known in advance- Trust that this is years and years away!!
I didn't know of this method. I'll have to think about it as an alternative to cremation.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rick for the information..
Laurent - You're welcome.
DeleteI heard about this method a few years ago, but it is not widely available or licensed in the US. I think at the time, there were only one or two morticians who could provide the service.
ReplyDeleteAlso looked into natural decomposition, but again, not widely available in these parts.
I am currently going with cremation and having my ashes made into something that can be used as a reef.
https://www.eternalreefs.com/
I've signed up with the Neptune Society, which does the same thing. Nice to know more and more options are becoming available than using valuable land just to plant a dead body somewhere forever.
DeleteRade - Thanks for the link. What a neat idea.
DeletePurple Wolf - My sentiments exactly.
DeleteWow Rick - so glad to hear you are choosing this alternative option!
ReplyDeleteI made arrangements for Water-based Cremation about 7 years ago after watching a YouTube video on it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Le7rLbkFe4) from Motherboard. Being "the greenest way of disposing of human bodies" really appealed to me and I have no religious, familial or personal beliefs on what should happen with my remains. I did briefly joke with my brother (a rather well known artist) that if I were traditionally cremated, he could take my ashes, mix them with cement and make a large, phallic statue with them (featuring a gold, metallic Prince Albert, of course!) that could be planted in my front yard as a memorial. 😁But then I heard about this...
Alkaline Hydrolysis has been used in most major cities/universities across the US for years for the disposal of animal and human remains that are used in medical research and/or by animal control services; however, the option to have it performed voluntarily through a traditional funeral home has remained patchy and sparse.
Surprisingly, many states do authorize the use of Alkaline Hydrolysis for cremation; the difficulty is finding a mortuary/funeral home that has the equipment to do it. Georgia has had it available for years, but there is only one location in the state that offers the procedure.
Not surprisingly, the Catholic Church is highly against the process and is one of the primary reasons it has been "canceled" for the longest time. I'm not sure why since they do support traditional cremation, but there ya go...
If anyone is interested in exploring their options with it, I would recommend visiting the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) website and their webpage on it (https://www.cremationassociation.org/alkalinehydrolysis.html); they discuss where it's legal, has a directory of providers, etc.
Go green and rinse down the drain...!
RBS
RBS - Thank you for the links. They are very informative.
DeleteI have chosen composting, and placed my wishes in my will. Take whatever body parts are still good, and then to the compost bin. Embalming is NOT the way to go. You guys might be interested in the book, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", by Caitin Doughty, for an interesting look at death culture.
ReplyDeleteLeftField - Thank you for the book title. The reviews made it worth a read.
DeleteThank you for showing what is aquamation because here in Province de Québec it's advertised since many years and never had the scientific fact about it. We are mostly in Catholic faith up here but many are using cremation without no restriction from church. As I always liked to swim, aquamation is very appealing for me.
ReplyDeleteJiEL - You're welcome.
DeleteHuh.... First I'm learning of this method. Might have to think about it. But we're both set for cremation.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to the remains if you are like me, no family nor any close friends - dustpan to compost bin?
ReplyDeleteHey Anonymous -
DeleteLOL no, no dustpan... here in the US (as I understand) if someone passes and is cremated with no disposition or family to take possession of the remains, the funeral home must keep them in storage for a certain amount of time to give "claimants period" - someone might come out of the woodwork to claim your remains. After that period, the ashes can be consigned for burial in a pauper's grave or mausoleum, depending on what is available.
But - you can specify in your will/intention documents what you want to happen to your cremains.
For instance, the Catholic Church has the Joseph of Aramethia Society which will inter/dispose of cremains for people with no family or minimal resources. Likewise, there is a Catholic holiday (I forget which one) where a person who is authorized by the deceased and/or family can take cremains to a Catholic church, and they will bless them and then place them in a mausoleum or buried if the person has no family or friends.
Or, you can just ask to be scattered somewhere; I am sure there is someone in your life that would be willing to do that for you; especially if you pay them a little sumpim-sumpin in your will... 😊
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/03/22/1240080757/the-ultimate-green-burial-human-composting-lets-you-replenish-the-earth-after-de
ReplyDeleteSoylent Green is another option.
LeftField - You made me laugh. Thanks for the link.
DeleteI had forgotten tha Catlin had written extensively about this. She helped me and my Family with my Mother's last wishes, and it was a good experience. If this comes available in Mexico, I would follow the same route, but, I fear that Cremation is a far better fate than many folks here receive. Here , you cannot buy a Gravesite. You can only rent. Many families will rent for up to two years, return after, and collect the bones and dispose of them carefully. Also, here embalming is not widespread, so Speedy disposition is best. Final Planning is very good, so no one else has to bother with it, and your wishes are known in advance- Trust that this is years and years away!!
ReplyDelete