• some_guy@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    11·
    3 days ago

    I’ve recently changed my mind about what I want done with my remains after death. I had wanted cremation because I think it’s selfish to take up land after death. But I’ve had a better idea that won’t pollute the air:

    I want to be dropped in the ocean, far enough out that I won’t wash up on land. I want to sink to the bottom and fuel life for all the strange scavenger critters that dwell on the ocean floor. Other than the fuel for the boat, this is as close to 100%-efficient recycling as I can imagine.

    I haven’t looked into how one would make arrangements for this to happen without putting the people dumping me in the water at risk of being charged with a crime (desecration of a corpse, illegal dumping, whatever). If I live long enough, I’ll get around to researching whether I can make this happen.

    • Uriel238 [all pronouns]@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      6·
      2 days ago

      When you cremate your remains and then seed the ocean with your ashes, it feeds the bottom of the ecosystem.

      CORRECTION Cremated remains have all organic compounds broken down and is a process used to stow or preserve remains (since it’s mostly carbon, it can be used to make an artificial diamond). Also someone I know who planned on this as his return to earth funerary choice was misinformed.

      That said, there is a tradition to carve a cadaver up and grind the bones and make sausages for the local wildlife, who will happily partake. In fact part of the ritual is noisy and consistent so as to inform the locals that dinnertime is coming.

      Just drop the body into the wilds and the local fauna (mostly invertebrates) will do a fantastic job of utilizing your remains, and reintroducing the material back into the ecosystem. Avoid permafrost places like the Himalayas, seas that are lifeless (like the Dead Sea). Deserts will just desiccate you quickly.

      Planting your body under a sapling (without formaldehyde or any other preservatives) will make sure you’re literally worm food.

    • iglou@programming.devEnglish
      6·
      3 days ago

      Aquamation is, as far as I know, the most sustainable way to have your remains disposed of, and even reused. You may want to look into that!

      • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        3·
        3 days ago

        Sounds like it still uses energy to dispose of the body. I appreciate the recommendation. I still expect ocean-dumping to be more energy efficient. Especially if the people depositing my body use a sailboat. I only did a cursory search, so I’m happy to be corrected if I’m getting that wrong.

        • iglou@programming.devEnglish
          2·
          3 days ago

          It does, but a significantly lower amount than most alternatives (besides burial and similar full body disposals of course).

          But indeed burial at sea is even less impactful!