The other night I finally watched the PBS special “POV – A Family Undertaking”
The title was uber confusing because “POV” lead me to believe this would be about personally owned vehicles, however in a non military world I suppose it could also stand for point of view. I also had no idea what this family would be undertaking. Turns out it was about DIY funerals and at home death. Right up my alley.
I’ve got a kind of weird fascination with death.
Anyway.
If you did everything the documentary depicted, you’d leave the body in your home for up to 4 days. They explained what to expect from the corpse (such as the jaw muscles loosening, causing the mouth to open, how to keep the eyes closed, etc). Then, you’d burry them (or cremate, as one family did), much discussion surrounded burial containers.
I’m not so sure LT Fromage, if left behind, would be down with keeping me around a few extra days. I’m ok with that, but I’m in love with the idea of bypassing the formaldehyde embalming and expensive caskets, letting bodies go back to a natural state instead of preserving them as long as possible underground (why?). That part is doable.
I’ve never wanted a big deal made out of my death. If people want to gather, spend money and say nice things, I’d totally rather it be while I’m alive, thanks. I’d always wanted to donate my organs, be cremated and let everyone go on. I do totally want a headstone though, a simple one under a tree. I just love cemeteries, especially the little ones tucked off by themselves, where there are no “visiting hours” and rules about flowers.
After watching that documentary I think I’ll have my organs given away but do the natural thing after that. Minus the part about being left in the house for days. A little unconventional, yes, but it my old death plan was to donate my body to a body farm (Wikipedia that one!).
