Death Cafe 10 Jan 23

When you attend a meeting there is normally an agenda, something to look to agree upon. Today, everyone brought their own personal agenda, they sought to find understanding, perhaps a bit of peace. We were fortunate to have Martin, from Malone and Fox the local undertaker, with us to offer some myth busting if required.

What to wear?

First off, after looking at The Crossing booklet, we had a query about shrouds. We understood that they were a possible ecological alternative to a wooden coffin, but they also offered an additional alternative. Noting that dignity was a key word today, there was a discussion about whether our loved one might be dressed, or not, under the shroud – some considered it akin to a nightie. The issue of wearing shoes when being cremated was also pondered – what damage might ensue to the cremation equipment? Interesting to note that, in recent times, society has felt that the dead body was somehow toxic; hence the desire to embalm. It is not necessary, and our choice.

Woodland Natural Burials

Following on from that we discussed woodland burials, a point we returned to frequently. The concept of open land, free from classical demarcation as seen at graveyards, where there may not be any marker where our loved one may lay, was of interest. There is such a space close to Glasgow. Described as a woodland in the making, the Natural Woodland Burial Ground known as “Craufurdland Woods” offers ‘a gently way to say goodbye’. Caitlin Doughty, in her book ‘From Here to Eternity‘ describes ‘green spaces’ in population dense cities such as in Japan, where people can freely roam, even have family picnics including their loved ones, albeit dead.

Did this offer sufficient dignity to their loved one if people were walking possibly over them;
but how might that compare when scattering ashes on a golf course?

Spinning platters

With the January sales coming to a close, the recollection of seeing headstones with just the date of birth, and awaiting the rest of the details, and their death, was thought provoking. We concluded with a vinyl resting place… 😉

The death cafe meets again at G431LH, in the Church, between 12-1pm on Tuesday 14th February.