Hippie Science Variety Hour

Afterlife & Burial Options

Episode Summary

Surprise! We are STILL talking about death. This episode we dive deeper into discussing burial options and theories about what happens after death.

Episode Notes

Episode 107 Burial Options and Afterlife Theories

Surprise! We are STILL talking about death. This episode we dive deeper into discussing burial options and theories about what happens after death.

In this week's show notes, things are going to work a little differently. It was really important to us to track down websites and information on the burial options that we mentioned within the episode to share with our listeners. Below you will find easy to follow links and short descriptors on the burial options that are available specifically in the US. 

Burial Options

There’s a great comfort to knowing you have prepared for everyone’s worse fear. By planning what happens after your death it becomes less of a huge unknown to you and you are able to take control and comfort in the process. 

• Memorial Reef:cremated remains mixed with concrete to then be created into artificial reefs. 
  www.us-funerals.com/funeral-articles/underwater-memorial-reefs.html/

Eternal Reefs www.eternalreefs.com

Neptune Memorial Reef www.nmreef.com

• Living Wake: Celebration of life and death while someone is still living. 
  https://livewake.com
• Green Burial: No embalming. Body is wrapped in natural biodegradable materials. 
  www.greenburialcouncil.org

Families and friends can prepare and wash the body for burial. Typically use a form of burial shroud made from un-dyed cotton or hemp. The body can then be placed into a natural coffin or directly into the ground.

• Space Burial: cremated remains sent into space via rocket or satellite (typically). You can choose to orbit around the Earth, other planetary bodies or deep space. 
  www.celestis.com

According to “What It Costs.com” Space burial can be a very expensive option. For only 1 gram of remains costs range from $1,000-5,300 or for moon launch $10,000-45,000. For 7 grams of remains pricing starts at around $20,000.

• Medical Aid In Dying: Also known as medically assisted suicide, is a very controversial option that is only available to those that are terminally ill with less than 6 months to live. This is a lengthy and extensive process that must be overseen by several health care providers. However, the patient must be the one to physically take the end of life medications. Within minutes, a person slips into a narcotic induced coma, within 30 mins of taking the medication most pass peacefully. 
  www.compassionandchoices.org/end-of-life-planning/learn/understanding-medical-aid-dying/
• Celebration of Life: A memorial service with more of a party and celebration vibe. 
  
   

Regardless of what method you decide or is used for disposal or preparation of your corpse, we hope that you will be able to find the beauty in the limitless possibilities that we all have to choose from for burial.

For our fellow hippie science geeks...Here are links to some of the research done for this episode. Enjoy your decent deeper into the rabbit hole. We sure did.

Movie Documentary:

Alternative Endings

YouTube Video Research:8 Scientific Theories About Death

https://youtu.be/Gjilx9qyz3wI See Dead People: Dreams and Visions of the Dying | Dr. Christopher Kerr | TEDxBuffalo

https://youtu.be/rbnBe-vXGQM

Top 10 Wildest Theories About Life After Death

https://youtu.be/fl8tgEUwW9U

A burial practice that nourishes the planet | Caitlin Doughty

https://youtu.be/zcMj4Az1MwE