Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: cemeteries

[Shava Nerad (shava]

> One more point, is that in this part of the country, ashes 
> cannot be spread, so regulations may vary.

Another thing to consider, even where ashes may be spread, is the grim
process involved.  I had always assumed that cremation produced a bit
of ash like a thoroughly burnt campfire, ash and a few cinders.  However,
before you will your ashes to be spread on the community garden, take a
moment to consider the poor folks digging next year's garden, finding a
filling here, or a piece of femur chip too large to burn completely there...
It's *really* grim.  My mother-in-law willed her ashes spread on her herb
garden, and I am *so* glad I don't live there anymore!  And I'm less 
squeamish than most...

Sorry to be so graphic, but I found that spreading "ashes" was unexpectedly
euphemistic!

Now were it up to me, I'd be buried naked with a bit of red ochre under an
oak tree or somesuch -- maybe a dawn redwood -- or a douglas fir (now that
I'm in Oregon).  But silly people -- they don't allow that either, even
if you aren't near a watershed!  Alas! ;)

Shava Nerad
non-resident coho technopagan...;)