I find various perceptions around death very interesting and they reveal a lot about cultural worldviews and value systems. Western fixations around immortality and posthumous recognition are embodied in anti-ecological burials, which are focussed on preserving the individual. These burials are also a reflection on Western societies relationship with nature, and the pervasive underlying fear of ever becoming integrated within nature, rather than being seen as above and civilized of it.
In order to popularize ecological burials, there needs to be a shift in perceptions of both death and relationships with nature. By seeing ourselves as connected with nature, rather than removed from it, we are more likely to want to continue this relationship of connection after death by giving ourselves back to the earth, rather than staying estranged from it.
If death was perceived as not an inherently tragic thing the way it is in Western culture, and instead as a natural and beautiful part of the life cycle, I believe people would be more inclined to embrace the idea of their body decomposing, or being scattered into the void, of no longer having a physical presence on the earth, because they would be more okay with not prolonging their physical existence.
This is essentially an argument for a fundamental shift in societal frameworks around death and nature. This is a big ask, but there are simple ways in which we can facilitate this, ex. Having conversations with friends and family about death, and how we see ourselves being treated after death, and how we see ourselves as fitting within the circle of life.
I think immortalization post-death is not necessarily a western ideal. Great monuments and tombs commemorating important figures are now archaeological sites worldwide. I guess the difference in the west is class status and access to immortalizing death care are prevalent. It is a lot easier to build yourself a tomb now then it was 10 000 years later. Immortalizing deathcare I feel is also associated with wealth, or self-preservation for religious purposes.
As others mentioned, pretty deep post and incredible well worded. Respect!
Hey Sophia, great post! I enjoyed how well structured and how clearly you were able to convey your message across to us. Some parts of your message are so strong and emotional, where I could tell that you spent a good amount of time thinking and writing this post. Shifting our views on death is something that the collective will have to work on changing.
Great ideas! Death is a tough topic, and the first step does need to be to simply talk about what death is and that it's scary, but it's okay. That way we can talk more about sustainability, as well. You've raised lots of great points about the conversation and culture surrounding death!
Great post! I agree that western culture should revaluate how we see death, since it inevitable to happen to anyone and cant just be brushed off as a discussion point.
I agree with you points on the current perception of death within the society. If we want a shift towards greener burial options, then the societal values surrounding death must be changed first. To this end, I agree that the best option is to simply have discussions about death itself, both within the personal social circles, and also within the society as well. Like the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus said: "Death is nothing to us; for that which is dissolved, is without sensation, and that which lacks sensation is nothing to us."
Hey Sophia,
Your point about western perceptions of death and relationship with nature are so spot on!! I've noticed that the western world often sees they are "above" nature and associating with it as one is seen as distasteful. Really shifting our mindset and positionality in this universe is crucial to remedying the ecological impacts we leave with our current notion of death and burials!
‘If death was perceived as not an inherently tragic thing the way it is in Western culture, and instead as a natural and beautiful part of the life cycle, I believe people would be more inclined to embrace the idea of their body decomposing, or being scattered into the void, of no longer having a physical presence on the earth, because they would be more okay with not prolonging their physical existence‘ WHAT ARE THOSE!!!!
WOWOWOWOW
I am so shocked and I think this is the deepest thing and best thing I've read in my college life.
Hi Sophia,
I really like what you wrote! I totally agree that there needs to be a shift in thinking about death. Death is a natural process in life and if we can't avoid it, we should embrace it instead. This shift in thinking would definitely help people be more willing to adopt greener ways of funerals such as using alkaline hydrolysis like mentioned in the videos we watched!
Great post Sophia! I totally agree with you on the need to shift our value regarding death, and a bigger picture of socio-ecological relationship between human and nature. I love your interpretation of death as a beginning of a beautiful cycle of life rather a tragic ending. I believe with a death positive mindset and a shift in valuing the legacy of a person as nourishing other lives rather than being a "forever corpse.", our current death care practises can change to be more sustainable.
Your take on the psychological side of death care is really interesting Sophia! I think the desire for people to "prolong their physical existence" is really one of superiority. When it's our turn to be used by the nature we've spent our lives using, we don't want to give back because for whatever reason, humans have placed them above everything else in the natural world.
Hi Sophia, thank you for sharing your perspective here! I really like how you phrased that; "If death was perceived as not an inherently tragic thing the way it is in Western culture, and instead as a natural and beautiful part of the life cycle.." I think that's such a powerful way of looking at it and totally agree that if more people saw it that way, we would be less afraid of returning to the earth and more pulled towards ecologically friendly death-care plans.