Buzz
It seems that humans have an undeniable fascination with death. While many of us would agree that it is best avoided, it also holds a mysterious allure. As vividly portrayed in Stephen King's short story 'The Body,' which was later adapted into the film Stand by Me, even as children, we are captivated by the enigmatic nature of death. Consider how many ways there are to express someone's passing; Wikipedia lists at least 80, and there are likely many more.
Nowhere is our fascination with death more evident than in the way we treat the deceased. In many Western cultures, death is marked by a ceremonial (often solemn) event, with the departed being laid to rest in a necropolis—commonly known as a graveyard or cemetery. A memorial or marker is usually placed at the site so future generations can remember the individual. Funeral customs may vary across regions, but in most instances, they are carried out with great care and respect.
Here, I share (in no particular order) the 15 most common ways to honor and lay to rest someone's physical remains.
15. Aquamation
Aquamation represents the most environmentally friendly method of disposing of human remains. This process involves the quick decomposition of the body into premium fertilizers. Compared to cremation, it utilizes only about 10% of the energy and eliminates all related pollution.
In Aquamation, the body is carefully placed inside a clean, stainless steel container. A combination of water flow, temperature (around 90°C), and alkalinity helps speed up the natural breakdown of tissues. The process typically takes about four hours to complete.
14. Burial
Burial involves placing a person or object in the ground and is perhaps the most basic and widely practiced method of disposing of a body. Burial is believed to be one of the earliest forms of religious observance, with many hominid remains discovered in graves accompanied by offerings or other signs of ritual. Even in modern times, most burials are performed with the guidance of a religious leader and carried out with great reverence across various cultures.
In certain traditions, the specific way a person is buried can carry deep significance. Christian burials, for example, often require the body to be positioned flat, with arms and legs extended in an east-west alignment, the head at the western end of the grave, to await the second coming of Christ on Judgment Day. In Islam, the body’s head faces Mecca while the face is turned towards it. Some ancient cultures buried warriors standing upright, while an upside-down position is often associated with suicides or as a form of punishment.
Interestingly, humans are not the only species known to bury their dead. Chimpanzees and elephants have been seen covering deceased family members with leaves and branches. For example, an elephant that accidentally trampled a mother and child buried their remains by piling leaves over them.
13. Burial at Sea
Burial at sea refers to the practice of disposing of human remains by placing them in the ocean. Many cultures have established guidelines to make this method accessible, and it is growing in popularity. In the United States, the scattering of ashes must occur at least three nautical miles from shore, and bodies must be buried in waters that are no less than 600 feet deep.
Traditionally, the burial service is overseen by the captain or commanding officer of the vessel or aircraft. Methods include burial in a weighted casket, burial in an urn, wrapping the body in sailcloth, or scattering cremated remains. Burial at sea by aircraft is typically reserved for cremated remains. Another option is mixing the ashes with concrete to create an artificial reef, allowing the deceased to contribute to a thriving ecosystem, granting them a form of immortality.
Most major world religions approve of burial at sea, with some even having specific rituals related to it. While both Islam and Judaism traditionally favor land-based burials, they each permit maritime burials when necessary or desired.
12. Entombment
Entombment refers to the practice of placing human remains inside a sealed, enclosed space, or burial chamber. Unlike burial, where the body is interred directly in the earth, entombment involves placing the body within a specially constructed chamber that is sealed off. Tombs can take many forms, ranging from mausoleums (structures built specifically for this purpose) to ornate family crypts, or even a simple cave with a sealed entrance. While mausoleums are typically above-ground, tombs can also be found underground.
Tombs may be designed for the remains of one person, or to house the bodies of multiple generations. Inside, the deceased are often placed in coffins or sarcophagi, though some may be interred in specially designed niches. Tombs can be the property of families, religious groups, or even entire communities. Catacombs, like the famous ones in Paris, are a form of tomb that also function as mass graves, and some, such as the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, serve as eerie tourist attractions.
11. Dismemberment
Dismemberment involves the act of severing, tearing, or forcibly removing the limbs or parts of a body. Though usually performed after death for a specific reason, in some cases, it has been the cause of death itself.
Until the late 1800s, hanging, drawing, and quartering was a prevalent punishment for high treason. The process involved dragging the offender through the streets by horse while tethered to a hurdle, followed by hanging until almost death (but still alive). The offender's vital organs would be removed and burned in front of them (often with castration and the burning of the genitals), before decapitation and dismemberment. The body was then typically boiled, and the pieces displayed as a public warning. In the Netherlands and Belgium, regicide offenders were tied to horses, and their abdomen sliced open.
In contemporary times, dismemberment is often carried out to conceal the identity of the deceased or to facilitate easier transport or concealment in confined spaces. Typically occurring postmortem, this act is performed to prevent identification through fingerprints, hair, facial modeling, or toe prints. For these reasons, many murderers take the extra step of dismembering the body.
Historically, dismemberment was also practiced on the bodies of Catholic saints, as their remains were revered as holy relics.
10. Cremation
Cremation is the process of converting human remains into basic chemical elements, which results in gases and bone fragments. This is usually carried out in a crematorium, though certain cultures, such as in India, engage in open-air cremation. Typically, temperatures of at least 1500°F are required to ensure complete disintegration of the body.
Once the process concludes, the remaining dry bone fragments are removed from the crematory chamber (known as the retort) and processed through a cremulator. This machine reduces the bones into a fine, sand-like powder. In some cultures or regions, the pulverization may be done manually. The resulting ‘ashes’ are then given to the family to be kept, scattered, or buried in a traditional grave.
In Japanese and Thai funeral practices, the bones are not crushed (unless specifically requested by the deceased). Instead, family members use special chopsticks to carefully pick through the remains. There is significant ritual in this procedure. The bones of the feet are collected first, with the head bones placed in the urn last, to ensure the deceased is not upside down. The urn is then displayed in a place of honor or in a small shrine within the home.
9. Space Burial
In the final decades of the 20th Century, the trend of being “buried in space” emerged, where a small portion of cremated remains is placed into a capsule roughly the size of a lipstick tube and launched into space via rocket. Since 2004, approximately 150 individuals have undergone space burials.
This burial method is not widely chosen due to its high cost, and only one company currently specializes in offering this service. Typically, the remains are sent into Earth’s orbit, although some have been sent on other trajectories, including to the moon, Pluto, and deep space. Notable individuals who have been “buried” in space include James Doohan (best known as “Scotty” from Star Trek), Gene Roddenberry (creator of Star Trek), Timothy Leary (author and psychologist), Clyde Tombaugh (astronomer who discovered Pluto), Dr. Eugene Shoemaker (astronomer and co-discoverer of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9), and Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper Jr. (astronaut and one of the original Mercury Seven pilots).
8. Mummification
The Egyptians are perhaps the most famous practitioners of mummification (though they were not the only ones), a process where a body is preserved through exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, low humidity, or a lack of oxygen. The oldest known mummy is a decapitated head dating back to 6000 BC, with the earliest Egyptian mummy from around 3300 BC.
The Egyptian mummification process is widely recognized in modern science, thanks to extensive study of mummies from that culture, as well as classical Egyptian texts and visual depictions in tomb paintings. In essence, the internal organs were removed and dried using natron, then placed in canopic jars or reformed into four packages to be reinserted into the body cavity. The brain was dislodged by a hook inserted through the nasal cavity, then extracted and discarded. The heart, considered the seat of intelligence and life force, was retained.
The body cavity was cleansed with spiced palm wine, then filled with dry natron, gum resin, and vegetable matter. The body was then submerged in a natron bath for up to 70 days to dehydrate and preserve the skin. Once this process was complete, the body cavity was cleared and refilled with permanent stuffing, often including the viscera packages. The abdominal incision was sealed, the nostrils blocked with wax, and the body treated with oils and gum resins. The remains were then wrapped in layers of linen bandages, with amulets placed between the layers to protect the deceased from harm and evil forces.
Natural mummification is also a phenomenon that can occur. The freezing cold of the Ötztal Alps resulted in the preservation of a hunter, known today as Ötzi the Iceman, who lived over 5,300 years ago. Additionally, bog bodies—victims of ritual sacrifice or murder—are frequently discovered in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, and Denmark.
7. Cannibalism
Cannibalism, also referred to as anthropophagy, has been documented throughout history and is still practiced in certain parts of the world today. It involves humans consuming the flesh of other humans. When humans are specifically killed to be eaten, the act is known as homicidal cannibalism. If the consumption is limited to individuals already deceased, it is referred to as necro-cannibalism. There are two primary forms of cannibalistic behavior: endocannibalism (the consumption of humans within the same community) and exocannibalism (the consumption of individuals from outside the community).
Cannibalism may be carried out for various reasons. Among primitive societies, it was often believed that eating the flesh of another would transfer their strength or abilities to the consumer. In other cases, cannibalism is practiced simply for its taste, as an insult to the deceased, or as a form of respect or honor toward the person consumed.
Cannibalism has been a recurring motif in mythology and folklore, dating back to Ancient Greece, with the tale of Cronus, a god who was said to have consumed his own children. In Russian folklore, Baba Yaga is a well-known cannibal, and the Brothers Grimm told the story of Hansel and Gretel, where two children abandoned in the woods discover a house made of cake and gingerbread. This house is owned by a cannibalistic witch who plans to cook and eat them, but the children outsmart her, ultimately leading to her demise.
6. Cryonics
Cryonics involves the preservation of humans and animals at low temperatures when contemporary medical treatments can no longer sustain life, with the hope that future medical advancements may enable revival and healing. In the United States, cryonics can only be legally initiated after a person has been declared legally dead, ideally starting within minutes of cardiac arrest. Cryoprotectants are used during the preservation process to prevent the formation of ice, which could damage tissues. However, cryonics also encompasses the preservation of individuals after extended periods post-mortem, based on the theory that brain structures responsible for memory and personality could persist or be deciphered. The feasibility of this is still uncertain, as present-day knowledge cannot definitively prove whether enough brain information survives for successful revival under such conditions. Advocates view cryonics as a speculative intervention, with varying prospects depending on individual circumstances.
Currently, the techniques used for cryonics are rudimentary and far from flawless. The procedure is carried out with the belief that, in the future, a society capable of reviving and curing the body might also be able to repair the cellular and structural damage caused by the freezing process. While certain chemicals can be employed to mitigate these effects, many of them are highly toxic. If these substances are not fully removed before revival, the effort may ultimately be in vain.
5. Dissolution
Dissolution is a method commonly used by those who want to ensure that remains are completely obliterated. By dissolving a body in a potent solvent like lye or hydrochloric acid, one can destroy the physical evidence of its existence. However, the process is not as straightforward as it may seem, with many complexities and potential obstacles to overcome.
Boiling lye is known to be an effective method for rendering a body unrecognizable within a few hours. However, it does not completely eliminate all traces of the victim. Fragments of bone, teeth, and any non-organic objects like pacemakers remain. Even a single tooth can contain enough DNA to identify the victim and potentially lead authorities to the perpetrator. The strong odor of lye can also attract attention. This method, originally used in the U.S. for disposing of animal remains for almost two decades, is now being considered as an alternative to traditional burial methods.
The technique, known as alkaline hydrolysis, utilizes lye, high temperatures of 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and 60 pounds of pressure per square inch to break down a body. It takes place in large stainless-steel cylinders that resemble pressure cookers. During the process, a straining device filters out materials like teeth, bone fragments, and other inorganic objects. The bones and teeth are ground into a fine powder and handed to the family, similar to how cremated remains are treated. The rest of the body turns into a viscous, brown liquid resembling motor oil and smelling strongly of ammonia, which is simply flushed down the drain.
4. Exposure
Exposure is not a common practice today in the Western world, typically occurring as a result of an accident when a person dies in a remote location and their body is left undiscovered for an extended period. However, there are individuals who deliberately dispose of bodies in this manner, leaving them exposed to the elements.
Tibetan sky burial, or jahtor, is a traditional ritual where the body is dissected and exposed for nature or animals to handle its disposal. In Tibet’s rugged terrain, with rocky soil that makes digging graves difficult and a shortage of fuel for cremation, this practice emerged as a practical solution. Here's how it works:
Once the body is ceremoniously prepared, it is carried to a designated site where it is typically laid out, often unclothed. The rogyapas, or body-breakers, then begin their task. They strip the flesh from the bones, hack off limbs, and sometimes mix the remains with tsampa (a blend of barley flour, tea, and yak butter or milk) to feed the vultures. These birds are accustomed to waiting at traditional burial locations. The rogyapas approach their work not with solemnity, but with laughter, casual conversation, and the ease of regular labor.
3. Plastination
Plastination, a technique aimed at achieving a form of immortality, is used in anatomy to preserve entire bodies or body parts. This method replaces the water and fat within tissues with specific plastics, resulting in specimens that are odorless, decay-resistant, and retain many of the original characteristics. These preserved bodies can be touched and manipulated into various positions, maintaining their lifelike properties.
Plastinates are displayed in museums, used as educational tools, and serve as references for anatomical studies. The process of plastination preserves tissue, muscles, and even nerve clusters so effectively that plastinates have become invaluable resources for understanding how our bodies—and those of other creatures—function.
The plastination process was pioneered in November 1979 when Gunther von Hagens filed a German patent to preserve animal and plant tissues indefinitely through synthetic resin impregnation. Since then, von Hagens has pursued additional U.S. patents for his advancements in preserving biological tissues using polymers.
2. Taxidermy
Taxidermy involves mounting or reproducing the bodies of dead animals for display purposes, such as hunting trophies, or for study. Some people have even chosen to go a step further and have themselves taxidermied after death. The process is straightforward but demands considerable skill. The animal’s skin is removed, its internal organs discarded (often without the taxidermist ever seeing them), and the skin is tanned before being placed over a polyurethane mold. Clay is used to set glass eyes, which are commercially available, or taxidermists can create their own forms and eyes if needed.
The legalities surrounding the taxidermy of humans are unclear (I couldn’t find specific references), but I would assume it’s legal if the necessary arrangements are made and a taxidermist is willing to take on the task. However, due to the challenges involved, few people have undergone the process. One such person, however, was philosopher Jeremy Bentham.
Jeremy Bentham, born in Spitalfields, London in 1748, was a prolific writer, leaving behind manuscripts totaling around 5 million words. He wrote extensively on law, gender equality, animal rights, economics, and utilitarianism. As stipulated in his will, Bentham’s body was used for a public anatomy lecture. Afterward, his skeleton and head were preserved and placed in a wooden cabinet known as the “Auto-icon,” with the skeleton stuffed with hay and dressed in Bentham’s clothes. Initially kept by his disciple, Thomas Southwood Smith, it was later acquired by University College London in 1850. The Auto-icon is displayed at the university’s South Cloisters, but for the 100th and 150th anniversaries of the college, it was brought to the College Council meeting, where it was humorously noted as “present but not voting.”
1. Mass Grave
In situations where time is of the essence, such as during plagues or disasters, mass graves are often employed. A mass grave is a single site where multiple human remains are interred together. These are frequently used after wars, epidemics, famines, and calamities, where health concerns necessitate swift burial, and it is impractical to wait for each body to be identified and given individual rites. While mass burial is often seen negatively for diminishing the individuality of the deceased, it remains a practical solution in times of crisis.
While mass burial was once a more widespread practice, it has not disappeared in modern times. Mass graves can be found in locations such as The Killing Fields of Cambodia, the Soviet Union, Chechnya, Iraq, and even in the United States. One notable example is Hart Island, a potter's field designated for the burial of unidentified or impoverished individuals in New York City. Hart Island is the world’s largest tax-funded cemetery, currently housing over 850,000 “residents” dating back to the Civil War. It remains in use to this day.
