Well, unfortunately I think they the United States is merely
running out of room to fit an ever growing population. This week I have taken a
closer look into what can be done moving forward to try and kept some dignity
to those that have need been reinterred. I have come to the conclusion that
moving cemeteries is not necessarily done out of disrespect but merely trying
to accommodate a massively growing population. There has been an increase of
just about 280,000 people in the United States since September 8th.
There is no doubt that number will at least double in the next 7 to 8 weeks. I
have included a link for a video that explains the reason for the Department of
Transportation (DOT) moving a graveyard. In this case the cemetery was moved to
keep up with safety regulations regarding the transportation. No disrespect was
intended here and every effort was made to keep accurate records of the remains
that were being moved to a new location. More than likely these remains will
remain unknown, not because it was a potter’s field, but because there weren’t
grave markers in this location.
So I wonder…is it still being disrespectful if the remains
are no longer visited by family members? Is it disrespectful if no one alive
knows who you were or that you are dead? The remains that the DOT had to
relocate to make street improvements had been interred so long that not much
was left to reinter at the other cemetery. I think that if no living family
member was able to claim the bodies that new method of disposal for the remains
should be used such as cremation. Although, cremating of the remains may be
considered disrespectful as well. However, if the country continues to grow, which
it will, the bodies have a good chance of being relocated again. At what point
does that end?
Looking a little deeper into “Too broke to be dead,” I have
looked into alternative ways to dispose of remains. There are options for whole
body donations, sustainable burials, and other types of alternatives that help
conserve space. Dead Bodies that Matter:
Toward a New Ecology of Human Death in American Culture by Susanne Kelley
(2012) discusses some of the contemporary views our culture has with death.
Talking about everything from fictional television shows that highlight death
to exhibits of bodies. This article also talks about ways bereaved family
members are taken advantage of by funeral directors. This is a story I found that is in complete contrast to
moving unknown dead with respect. This story is more along the lines of what I would
consider being blatant disrespect for the dead if these accusations are true.
This story I wanted to include simply as an example of what
I meant by disrespecting the dead but it lead to much more. I decided to read
more about funeral service directors after viewing the video. I found The American Funeral by Dr. Leroy Bowman
(1990) that discusses frankly some of the unscrupulous acts that some
undertakers use to make higher profits. I would have never guessed that people
of means could be just as likely to be moved as someone buried in a Potter’s
Field. And all along I thought it was the less fortunate that were the ones
being taken advantage of in life and then again in death.
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteYou have mentioned several times about people donating their deceased body to science.
EXPENSES
Several years ago, I felt, "It sounds good to me. I always liked college and science and the bright and best tend to take anatomical studies." And why put a lot of expenses on my survivors, adequately insured or not?
DISTANCE
The last time I looked into this, I got a surprise. Transporting a cadaver can be a very expensive proposition. Unless you can prove financial problems, I was told, YOU PAY FOR THAT TRANSPORTATION and whatever costs are incurred. That means you are literally signing a blank check today for such expenses as they may be UNKNOWN DAYS/YEARS AHEAD to a funeral home or homes unknown. For instance, your spouse doesn't drop you off within walking distance of the nursing department HERE AT SEMO. You designate the med school specifically (Barnes-Jewish, for instance) You contact them, get permission, so to speak, and they may say we don't need any right now. If they accept you, you pay all expenses, including transportation to St Louis.
WHERE/WHEN
And here's some other thoughts for you. How do you know you'll be "called home" from Cape Girardeau? You might be involved in research in Chile or Australia when you discover "the Jordan is near". And you have no idea as to WHEN it will be. Barnes-Jewish may not even be there in 2132.
TELL ME...
Please tell me it's all different now. They are just waiting to hear from you and all expenses are taken care of, plus your survivors (your estate) get(S) $_______.
My idea
The best answer to that, I believe, is if you really want to wind up in the med school at Barnes-Jewish why not go there now and volunteer or something now (after graduation, of course). Spot something you'd like to do there (brain surgery for instance) and find a scholarship, train for it. If you have a false start, try another field. You'll find something and you'll be there while you can feel, hear, smell, etc. Then when your maker calls you away, your body will probably already be there. Be sure your will is right. (That will cost you, too.)
Bob Hill
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI can always count on you to have some insightful thoughts and questions. Hopefully this will clear things up for you on whole body donation. I have pulled this information from website of BioGift. They will cover ALL expenses provided they can use the body and if the transportation cost does not exceed $1,500. The cremated remains will be given to the family upon request, again at no cost. However, this is still dependent on the deceased body qualifying as a whole body donation. Some exclusions are; infectious diseases “such as viral Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Creutzfeldt Jakob d Disease or Tuberculosis) may not donate. Other factors may prohibit donating to BioGift such as severe obesity (>50% over normal weight), excessive edema, decomposition, trauma or embalming” (BioGift).
So, even if someone thinks they want to have an expense free body disposal by whole body donation may want to have a backup plan. Personally, I plan to donate my body but if I die abroad, this option will not work for my family. I need to think about Plan B.
Reference:
http://www.biogift.org/index.html
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Bob Hill