Althouse: "The body is first encapsulated into a fetal position in order to fit inside of the burial pod."

May 23, 2015

"The body is first encapsulated into a fetal position in order to fit inside of the burial pod."

"The pod looks like an earthy piece of art, but really it’s a biodegradable 'casket.' Once the burial pod is buried deep underground a tree seed or a young tree is placed directly above, and from one source of life sparks another."

15 comments:

sinz52 said...: The purpose of a tombstone is to serve as a permanent grave marker.

Trees can die, just like the person whose corpse they're planted on top of.

Here in the Northeast, pests like the gypsy moth have ravaged trees and even whole forests.; 5/23/15, 7:09 AM
rhhardin said...: Plant an apple tree for full recycling.; 5/23/15, 7:39 AM
Eric the Fruit Bat said...: When I was in grade school, they told us that the Pilgrims couldn't grow any crops until the Indians taught them to bury a fish with every seed.

Didn't sound right then.

Doesn't sound right now.; 5/23/15, 8:03 AM
virgil xenophon said...: Macabre in a Soylent Green kind of way..; 5/23/15, 8:33 AM
Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...: Years ago I decided: when the time comes, just shove an acorn up my ass and plant me by a stream.; 5/23/15, 8:39 AM
madAsHell said...: earthprom???

Excuse me, but I need to go hippie-punching.; 5/23/15, 9:29 AM
Dr.D said...: Trees are not nearly as permanent as a granite grave marker, nor do they have any name attached to them (unless someone later carves the initials of the deceased in the bark). This is not a good idea.

Plant trees to create a forest, but let us continue to use cemeteries to memorialize those departed.; 5/23/15, 9:51 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Some people don't want a permanent marker.; 5/23/15, 11:15 AM
Pettifogger said...: I would be OK with it. Trees aren't forever, but neither are stone markers. I know of some that are weathered to the point of illegibility. Besides, past a certain point no one will remember who you were. Permanence is not to be in this world.; 5/23/15, 11:43 AM
JAORE said...: Appealing to those that want to find a way to live forever, support Mother Gaia, put the last nail in the coffin of their greeness.....

aging Boomers (I B 1), frickn' sad.; 5/23/15, 11:45 AM
kzookitty said...: I don't get the pod thing. Just shove them in a hole.

Me, I'd prefer a watery grave, but it really doesn't matter. I'll be past caring.

kzookitty; 5/23/15, 12:14 PM
Graham Powell said...: I always tell my kids I want to be composted when I die, and it's sort of true. I don't see any point in my body sticking around in any recognizable form. Let me be good for something.; 5/23/15, 12:31 PM
Fernandinande said...: sinz52 said...
The purpose of a tombstone is to serve as a permanent grave marker.

There are probably more trees more older than 1000 years than tombstones.; 5/23/15, 1:54 PM
mikee said...: My father in law left no instructions for his funeral desires. After a heartfelt memorial service, his ashes were scattered by his adult offspring on his favorite ski run, atop his favorite peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, under roses in their several homes, and he also had a memorial tree planted in a park that his widow can visit.

All in all, not a bad disposal method.; 5/23/15, 4:46 PM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5/23/15, 9:44 PM