As an atheist what do you want done with your remains when you die?
I want to be fed to something or to be buried in a simple coffin with an oak or elm tree planted over me.
I totally couldnt care what happens to my body after I'm dead.
I'm DEAD so it doesn't matter to me.
If it can, in some way, do good (medical research, organ donation, etc) then, I guess, it would be better if it did so. Other than that, feed it to stray dogs - at least they'll get a meal out of it.
I've given my life to science, I'll give my death to science too.
I want to rebel from the high costs of funerals and be buried in a refrigerator box in my backyard. Since the law won't allow that, I hope to have enough strength to make it into the woods. It's about time we humans gave back to Mother Nature. I am having second thoughts about donating my body so that others may have my bits and pieces to save their lives. What if my body parts saves a pedophile or rapists or the next crazy, murderous dictator?
What if they save the first atheist world leader who is destined to finally rid the world of religion! "Oh no, we can't have a safe world because gypsyjane's organs went on to feed a racoon." ?
So your thought is my thought. ...self interment. ...there are Green Atheist private cemeteries in Iowa SC NY anywhere private property can legally bury a cadaver with a death certificate no listed diseases are causes of death. ...here lies B Franklin, PRINTER food for worms
I want to be composted.
This particular facility looks like what I imagined the Dying Hospital to look like in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. That sealed the deal. ?
I would like to do this as well! I would like to have a memorial sculpture in a cemetery.
Assuming I'd be relatively healthy meat, it would be nice to be laid out on the African Plains, and get recycled into all those wonderful animals (assuming they wouldn't be extinct !). But I l know that's likely not allowed.
So next choice is being part of the Body Farm, to help catch bad guys ! That could work.
They do that in some parts of India, lay you out on the mountain for the eagles (and vultures).
My drivers license lets whoever first ends up with my corpse take as many of my organs as they can use. As for the leftovers, I have some money set aside to have them cremated and disposed of at sea. I like the idea of green burials and such, but can't afford them. I'm trying to leave as much money as possible to whoever my survivors are.
I'm torn between donating my organs to help save lives vs. donating my body to science. I wish I could do both.
you can donate your eyes within the first 24 hrs. and then your body to science. just call your local university.
You can do both. When I donated myself to science I asked this. They said they would take what they could to donate first, then what's left will go to the school.
@Sk8rgrl Which school did you go through? UT Southwestern?
@Sk8rgrl Thanks! I'll look them up!
I am donating my body to science. The returned cremanes are to be interred with those of my husband. That way, our children will have a sense of "where we are."
Have you considered a green burial. There are green burial cemetaries. You are wrapped in simple cloth covering and buried in shallower grave. The idea being that your body will decompose and give nutrient back to the environment. Nor all states support or allow. Colorado and New Mexico do.
Donated to science, maybe they'll radiate me and bring me back as the first superhero!
I want cremated and used to feed a tree pod. I want to be a big beautiful tree!
I like the theatrics of being put on a viking longship and set on fire.
I'd really like to be launched into space though.
If my wife's having to deal with it then i'd rather not be a bother and just go in the bin with the other waste on a wednesday night.
Dont have any problems with medical research wanting my body, or being sent to a cadaver farm if thats easier for her.
If my brother is dealing with my funeral then I demand he uses my carcass for something inappropriately funny that may cause mild (but easily recoverable) distress to others.
Im also ok with taxidermy.
Best response.
I'm not so much decided on something specific, just so long as I'm not locked in a box. I am an organ donor, but beyond that, I could be just as cool with being buried in a way to decompose the rest of me usefully for vegetation, or a viking burial at sea. On the other hand, transhumanist tech could possibly make death nearly a choice--dare I say, within my lifetime. I suppose when I'd choose to go then, again, just wanting to be useful in some way, without needing my body nicely coffined for the rapture.
I’ve always wanted to rot wheee I fell like any other animal, but because of this thinking man nonsense, cremation.
I really dig this concept: [eternalreefs.com] I could definitely enjoy attracting marine communities to congregate for future generations' fishing and scuba diving pleasure.
I don't care.
Whatever my family choose to do with them and whatever Iis cheapest. They can bury me in the garden for all I will care.
That said, I really always wanted a Viking funeral - sent out to sea in a burning longboat!
That'll do nicely thanks.
I've told my kids to take my ashes mix them with clay , mold 1.5" balls , glaze and fire them and hand them out as party favors at my memorial get together . If I know my kids its not gonna happen . Get rid of the body as soon as possible I'm dead your alive move on I loved you .
I have signed up for MedCure. When you die, they pick up your body for medical tests and after about 6 weeks they cremate it and give the remains to family. This is all free, you simply make one phone and they do everything and if it will help someone, I'm all for it.
I'm thinking an old fridge box and a trip to the landfill.
Eww! I hope I'm not the one who finds your grisly remains!
@smoyle Another good reason to avoid dumpster diving or rummaging around the landfill site.