What is so toxic about the dead that we desire such separation? Where there was life, it goes on.
Here, we might see what composting actually means. Human composting, also known as terramation, is the natural organic reduction of human remains to soil. Something we have done for decades with farm animals might be possible here for humans. But it is more than a process. It is a way of naturally returning to the Earth. It’s far more ecological than cremation or burial.
As they say at funerals: “Earth to Earth, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust” – this is just the first part in its entirety.
Now the Church here in the UK is discussing terramation.
OK, the above video is from the USA, but the compere, Caitlin Doughty, is a leading light in thinking “out of the box” with death. She looks at the present methods and thinks what might be possible. She looks at preserving dignity, making the whole concept of death more relatable to us all – because often we don’t engage with death.
At funerals we are not permitted to be close to our loved one. They have been preserved possibly. They are within a casket. They are possibly soon to be created, a process that we may not witness. Why is that?
After the decomposition, we could utilise the soil to grow their favourite tree. Is that better than a gravestone?
If you’d like to find out more about any of this:
Books: http://caitlindoughty.com/books
MORTAL course: https://www.mortalcourse.com/
Their podcast on iTunes: https://apple.co/2yK6c6G Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2QZEVEM Google Play: https://bit.ly/2AdEvoj
The Order of the Good Death – articles, resources, updates, and more: http://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/
The Order of the Good Death on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ordergoodde…
The Order of the Good Death on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrderGoodDeath
I found the dialogue interesting and I enjoyed it