Remains of James Doohan Lost in New Mexico 220
caffiend666 writes "According to a Space.com news article the cremated remains of 200 people were lost in the mountains after their trip to space. 'The search for the UP Aerospace payload of experiments and the cremated remains of some 200 people — including "Scotty" of Star Trek fame, as well as pioneeering NASA Mercury astronaut, Gordon Cooper — continues within rugged New Mexico mountain landscape.' Is it just me, or does it seem appropriate that they lost the landing party? Here's to a safe recovery!"
what (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Raise your hands (Score:5, Interesting)
I had this in mind when I chose to bury two of my dogs in the backyard. Looking back on the experience (I ended up with two small plaques and planting some flowers and shrubs), I don't regret my decision. I could write an essay on the subject, but it should suffice to say it just seemed like the right thing to do. From every point of view.
Whether the above is legal, I don't know. My guess is that it isn't. Once upon a time people (at least those who owned land) had family cemeteries. Maybe someone here who knows more about such traditions could enlighten us. At any rate, today, at least here in California, burying someone on private land, irrespective of whether you own one acre of land or 1000 acres, was made illegal sometime in the 1920s (?).
It's kind of shame, really. Obviously, we can't all just around burying people just anywhere (broadband deployment is complicated enough), but there's something to be said for being buried in the dirt, and having someone come along and plant some grass or a tree where you were laid to rest.
Recyling at its best.
Re:Raise your hands (Score:1, Interesting)
Has anyone ever heard of foregoing a burial at sea for sending the ashes on a frickin boat ride? To return later?
-"How was your trip?"
-"Great! We reached the zenith of pointless stupidity!"
I don't know what's more disappointing, the final place these ashed end up, or the living people who are behind this whole thing.
Re:Raise your hands (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Raise your hands (Score:1, Interesting)
Furthermore, I saw standard funerals going wrong, and it is not really pretty either (for instance, 200 person to the funeral of an old lady of my family, that died 45 years after her husband, and had her place reserved next to him. She basically spent several years planning her funeral. Unfortunately, coffin size changed over the years and they discover during the ceremony that they could not get the coffin in the grave without putting it vertically. I can't really render it with words, but it definitely could be a scene in a Zoolander-like movie. And I won't describe one case, in my wife's family, in a winter burial, where one guy carrying the coffin slipped near the top of ice covered street. The coffin made a 200 meters glide, and fortunately didn't broke in pieces)
So, yeah, green burial are a good idea, even if my family have no idea of where my body is. Or dumping my body in the sea, would be ok too. Or just burn me and let my friend snort the ashes...
Re:There are logical reason to this (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Raise your hands (Score:3, Interesting)
And if he were still around, he'd be pissed, coz he always said he wanted to be composted.
It *is* legal to bury a human body on your property, although it's very difficult -- easier if there's any evidence there was a pre-existing graveyard there already -- but there are requirements for depth and containment that make nutrient-recovery difficult.
I personally plan on chugging a quart of nitroglycerine and jumping off a building (if my heart lasts long enough to get to the edge.)