So why do we bury our dead in boxes?

[cantdrv55]

I know it's tradition and all but other than that, what's wrong with just burying our dead naked, deep in dirt? Is it environmentally unsafe? Seems like a waste of wood, other materials and money burying in coffins. You can still visit dead relatives and loved ones at the burial site.

[cstreit]

'cause rolled up oriental rugs are just too expensive to bury every day?

[cantdrv55]

LOL!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I think cremation is probably a good way to be "handled". I just can't decide what I want done with the ashes though. . . I have a number of good ideas, just none of them hits me as being "the one" head and shoulders above the rest. . .

[Steve PH]

The traditional coffin burial is a big waste of wood, other materials and isn't environmentaly friendly.

Personaly I like the idea of Viking burial, just seems rather cool going out to sea in a burning boat or you could have the Porsche version, sent down your favourite stretch of road in a burning 911! Don't think these ideas are at all green either but when you've got to, go with style!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

My wife says she'll bury me in my Porsche. Dunno if I like that idea though. First off it'd be bad for the paint. Second, it'd be hard for them to get the smell of my decayed corpse out of there - plus I paid big $$$ to have the seats recovered. Not sure if I want oozing bodily fluids ruining all that.

[livi]

Interesting question. I suppose it stems from both religious and sanitary reasons. The living dead have a tougher time getting out of a nailed down coffin to come back and hunt us. More difficult for predators to dig up and spread body parts all over. Perhaps disease prevention, where certain epidemics back in history were contained somewhat.

And yes, the Viking burials are still big here in Sweden.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by cstreit
'cause rolled up oriental rugs are just too expensive to bury every day?

lol. nice one

[Overpaid Slacker]

I'm with Livi. Given the reverence for the dead prevalent in many cultures, I think they wouldn't want their deceased family/friends to become some scavenger's stool.

Cremation may (wild guess) be more prevalent in cultures where it was difficult to bury or sufficiently entomb bodies ... very cold climates, sandy climates, or nomadic folk.

Whereas burial at sea virtually guarantees you'll wind up as crab crap, I think sanitary/hygiene reasons are behind that tradition. Carrying a corpse around for weeks in tropical heat until you can offload what remains of it .... yeeccch.

JP

[juanbenae]

our 911's would take up too much room.

[vash]

sore subject for me. i went to a funeral home to help a friend pick out a box for his dad. the sales dude was saying things like, "touch the fabric, feel how comfortable it will be?" it is a guilt based business. you neglect your family member, dont call as much as you should have, said some bad things...make it up! pony up 4k for a coffin. feel better...

[charleskieffner]

entering the "SPIRIT WORLD" via a burning viking ship or burning 911 hauling ASS down some super-highway would be wayyyyy COOL! what the hell...............your DEAD! you aint gonna feel a thing! funeral homes are a rip off. price just a cremation urn let alone a casket! im having cheap funeral and expensive party for my funeral! remember there aint no luggage racks on hearses!

[cool_chick]

We know dead bodies, if left unattended, breeds diseases very quickly. I think this is where burial originated. I do believe it's more environmentally safe than to leave them unattended.

[Overpaid Slacker]

cc -
No argument here (see burial-at-sea above); but why in boxes, where boxes were available? MHO is to prevent predation.

JP

[cool_chick]

Originally posted by Overpaid Slacker
cc -
No argument here (see burial-at-sea above); but why in boxes, where boxes were available? MHO is to prevent predation.

JP

.
Perhaps......

It's nice to know your loved one's body is safe and secure....

[Evans, Marv]

Dead is dead! I agree the funeral thing is a scam that plays on peoples' sympathies. Besides, environmentally speaking, haven't they lined vaults for caskets with lead, at least in the past? I've told my wife to burn me the cheapest way possible, rent a plane, and drop my ashes over my favorite spot in the Sierras.

[RallyJon]

LOL

The Federal Trade Commission Rule 16 C.F.R. Part 453 states that funeral homes can no longer condition the purchase of a casket with the purchase of other funeral goods and services. If you choose to purchase your casket from a source other than a funeral home, the funeral home of your choice MUST accept the casket you have provided without duress or embarrassment to the consumer.

http://www.casketsonline.com
http://www.caskets.net
http://www.funeraldepot.com

[austin552]

I wanted to get burried in my 911 but to much $$red tape$$. So I will probably just be made into a ruby and sold on ebay.

[Aurel]

I think the worst would be for an old rich man who married a much younger bride to end up as a synthetic diamant on her finger made out of his ashes, after she inherited all his fortune. I guess that may the dream of any gold digger though...

Aurel

[Racerbvd]

Well, this is something my attorney and I have already covered. I will be cremated, my ashes divided up. My ashes are to be spread on track during a few races that I have always looked forward to or crewed or tracks I've driven, then a 1/4 will me mixed into paint and my beloved 78 SC will get get a new paint job, then final 1/4 will be spread offshore of the Bahamas. That way I'll always be at my favorite places and on my favorite 911