Burial Rituals

Archeologists have discovered the remains of Neanderthals that were buried in such a way as to suggest that even in 60,000 BC ceremony and ritual were associated with death.

Many early tribes burned the bodies of the dead in order to destroy evil spirits. Other tribes had such a great fear of death that the dead were left where they fell while the living fled in fear.

Zoroastrians allowed the dead to be eaten by vultures. They believed that fire was too sacred to be used in the burning of corpses. Ground burial was prohibited because it was believed that the earth would be defiled by the internment of corpses.

Bodies have been left in jungles to be eaten. While in Tibet and amongst some Indian tribes the dead were fed to dogs; in the belief that they would be better off in the next world. Certain tribes in Africa would grind the bones of the dead and sprinkle the powder on their food to honor their ancestors. The Zulus burned the belongings of the newly dead to ward off evil spirits.

Modern mourning evolved from the custom of hiding ones identity to confuse the spirits. Covering the face of the corpse was handed down from pagan tribes who believed that the spirit escaped the body via the mouth.

Post funeral gatherings and feasting developed from primitive funerals where food was used as an offering to honor the newly dead. Wakes evolved from the custom of keeping watch over the dead in the hope that the corpse would return to life.

Candles are lit at funerals because it was once believed that fire would protect the living from the dead. Bell ringing came about in medieval times where it was believed that spirits could be kept away by the ringing of a consecrated bell.

Holy water is used during funerals because it was believed that it would protect the body from demons. Flowers were used to cover the body in hopes that the mourner would gain favor with the spirit of the deceased. Funeral music evolved from the use of chants that were believed to placate the spirits.

Which brings us to our modern world and some of the strange customs or rituals people follow.

You can now be customized caskets with the logo and colors of your favorite sports team People have been buried in their cars, trucks and even in their piano. They have been buried with their favorite beer, whiskey or other adult beverage.

Those who have chosen cremation have had their remains stored in every conceivable container and their ashes scattered from the top of North Americas highest mountain to the surface of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

However, knowing all of the above failed to prepare me for the newest ceremonial trend appearing on the horizon. A company located in the Midwest will take eight ounces from the dearly departed (after cremation) and use the carbon to form a diamond. Instead of leaving Aunt Martha in a jar on the mantle she can now be part of the ring you where on your finger. Uncle Bill can now contribute his ashes to those diamond earrings you always wanted. Grandma can become a diamond broach and grandpa can be part of a matching necklace. The two of them a matched set forever.

In my humble opinion creating jewelry from the remains of our relatives is a little to crass even for our society. Hopefully this trend will go the way of the pet rock and disappear in a few years. If not I am afraid of what will come along next. A leather jacket made from the skin or bone china made from what else the bones of the dearly departed.

All I know is that I am going to make sure that my will is very specific when it comes to the disposal of my remains.