burial...

lallychops

i have a friend who is atheist. im a catholic. but a question occured to me today...where do atheist people get buried? i understand if they are part of the church of england etc...or get baptised before death...but if one doesnt believe in anything after death then does it really matter to them where their remains end up?

btw...my summation of "not beliving in anything after death" is not designed to provoke annoyance etc..just my experience with relation to an atheist friend.
thanks.

Zillah

I bet you're not really a Catholic.

Gregor Samsa

lallychops wrote: »

i have a friend who is atheist. im a catholic. but a question occured to me today...where do atheist people get buried?

We don't get buried. We eat each other's corpses in orgies of lustful hedonistic secular arrogance.

While the Catholic Church does indeed own and operate many cemeteries, and probably require that you've at least led the pretense of being a Catholic to be buried there, Local Authorities also run a lot of them. The only entry requirement for permanent residence in these is being dead.

amacachi

I wanna get burned to a crisp.

MagicMarker

Atheists don't die.

Improbable

Really couldn't give a toss what happens to my flesh after I'm dead. I'll probably donate it to science. What's the point in just letting it rot in the ground when it could serve a useful purpose?

CiaranMT

I've to square the idea of my organs being taken after death in my own head, but would probably donate them and then off to the crematorium with me! Would love to have my ashes scattered over Dún Chaoin down on the Dingle Peninsula, it's gorgeous.

Links234

I'd donate my body to science

vinchick

I would donate mine too. I did hear that places had too many bodies but it could have been just a rumour.

LilMissCiara

I'm going to be cremated..!

CrazyBiscuit

As already stated, once I am dead, it would be pointless to let my body decompose in the ground. It shall serve a useful purpose.
I wish to be an organ donor but failing that my body is to be donated to science.

keppler

i'd like to be fossilized:)

Dades

Considering many of us were baptized as infants and the church doesn't now allow you to leave - they don't really have a leg to stand on when comes to not opening up their cemeteries.

But to really address your question, atheists don't have any shared rules like the religious do so clearly where an atheist's body ends up is up to them individually.

kylith

Local authority graveyards, probably.

I used to really like the idea of being cremated because the thought of decomposing creeped me out. However as I've gotten older I've started to think of the pollution that cremation causes, so now I'm leaning toward one of those orchard graveyards where they plant a tree on top of your corpse; that way at least my remains are being useful. I've gotten used to the idea of decomposing, now when I think of it it seems almost sweet; the roots of the tree twining around my ribcage, and the energy from my body being turned into flowers and fruit.

Of course, all the useful organs can go to anyone who wants them before the burying stage.

Calibos

kylith wrote: »

Local authority graveyards, probably.

I used to really like the idea of being cremated because the thought of decomposing creeped me out. However as I've gotten older I've started to think of the pollution that cremation causes, so now I'm leaning toward one of those orchard graveyards where they plant a tree on top of your corpse; that way at least my remains are being useful. I've gotten used to the idea of decomposing, now when I think of it it seems almost sweet; the roots of the tree twining around my ribcage, and the energy from my body being turned into flowers and fruit.

Of course, all the useful organs can go to anyone who wants them before the burying stage.

Now I know why they are called Granny Smith Apples!!:eek:

As for your distaste for the pollution aspect of cremation. Are we takin about toxins from melted tooth fillings and the like or are we takin about the carbon footprint of your....eh, foot? Cause surely the same arguement that is used for renewable managed forests applies to cremation. ie. when burning wood from renewable managed forests, one isn't releasing ancient sequestered/fossil CO2 but just releasing CO2 that was sequestered by the tree 50 years ago. Your not adding to the total amount of CO2 in the atmosphere just recycling it every 50 years. Surely its the same with the carbon in a human body.

Ken.

kylith wrote: »

Local authority graveyards, probably.

I used to really like the idea of being cremated because the thought of decomposing creeped me out. However as I've gotten older I've started to think of the pollution that cremation causes, so now I'm leaning toward one of those orchard graveyards where they plant a tree on top of your corpse; that way at least my remains are being useful. I've gotten used to the idea of decomposing, now when I think of it it seems almost sweet; the roots of the tree twining around my ribcage, and the energy from my body being turned into flowers and fruit.

Of course, all the useful organs can go to anyone who wants them before the burying stage.

i wanted to donate my organs and then get burned, but this sounds brill.I'll go for it if its an option(of course i'll still donate whats useful first)

chucken1

kylith wrote: »

Local authority graveyards, probably.

I used to really like the idea of being cremated because the thought of decomposing creeped me out. However as I've gotten older I've started to think of the pollution that cremation causes, so now I'm leaning toward one of those orchard graveyards where they plant a tree on top of your corpse; that way at least my remains are being useful. I've gotten used to the idea of decomposing, now when I think of it it seems almost sweet; the roots of the tree twining around my ribcage, and the energy from my body being turned into flowers and fruit.

Of course, all the useful organs can go to anyone who wants them before the burying stage.

Whats a local authority graveyard?

chucken1

vinchick wrote: »

I would donate mine too. I did hear that places had too many bodies but it could have been just a rumour.

Its true! What with all the zombies an all :pac:

Seriously..anyone who wants to donate any bit of themselves need to put it in writing. Not being morbid,but its not something a family want as a surprise when a loved one dies.

Ken.

chucken1 wrote: »

Whats a local authority graveyard?

authorities are obliged to provide graveyards for non catholic's.

chucken1

lucyfur09 wrote: »

authorities are obliged to provide graveyards for non catholic's.

Small town Ireland?? Never heard of or have seen one.

krudler

I want to be fired out of a cannon off the cliffs of Moher

chucken1

krudler wrote: »

I want to be fired out of a cannon off the cliffs of Moher

Now?

Ken.

chucken1 wrote: »

Small town Ireland?? Never heard of or have seen one.

not everywhere has them cause to be honest it hasn't really been an issue till recently.

aidan24326

I think the idea that 'I'll be dead anyway so cares where I go' is one that I don't really agree with. I say that as it's a viewpoint I've seen from a number of posters on this board in the past.

While I'd be of the opinion that once I die I'm gone, when I'm dead, I still think that shell, that piece of organised matter that housed me, is not just any old piece of meat, it has an enormous signifigance to the person that I once was. That's where i lived. That lump of organic matter, for good or bad, was me.

So yes your body should be treated with respect even when you're dead. That configuration of matter has never existed before and almost certainly never will again.

Bury me or burn me it doesn't really matter, but treat my home with some respect, because it'e the only one that will ever be uniquely mine.

chucken1

lucyfur09 wrote: »

not everywhere has them cause to be honest it hasn't really been an issue till recently.

Do you know of any?

chucken1

aidan24326 wrote: »

I think the idea that 'I'll be dead anyway so cares where I go' is one that I don't really agree with. I say that as it's a viewpoint I've seen from a number of posters on this board in the past.

While I'd be of the opinion that once I die I'm gone, when I'm dead, I still think that shell, that piece of organised matter that housed me, is not just any old piece of meat, it has an enormous signifigance to the person that I once was. That's where i lived. That lump of organic matter, for good or bad, was me.

So yes your body should be treated with respect even when you're dead. That configuration of matter has never existed before and almost certainly never will again.

Bury me or burn me it doesn't really matter, but treat my home with some respect, because it'e the only one that will ever be uniquely mine.

Very nicely put . What we look like is what people will remember first.
Its an image is'nt it? Then people remember HOW and WHO the person was.
I think the subject brought up by the OP is a very valid one.

Ken.

chucken1 wrote: »

Do you know of any?

newbridge in kildare has an area just outside the main graveyard as far as i know. its for non-catholics

chucken1

lucyfur09 wrote: »

newbridge in kildare has an area just outside the main graveyard as far as i know. its for non-catholics

I'd be a bit sceptical about that. Catholic graveyards used have what was known as a "paupers graveyard". It would be on the other side of the wall basically. It was for unbaptised babies and those who couldnt afford to pay for the burial.

strobe

I'm going to have myself sliced and diced so they can take any organs or stuff they want out and hopefully they can use some of it. Then the rest will be cremated and a diamond made out of the ashes. That's about as rock and roll as I think you can get, personally. That's ideally what I want to happen. But I'm not too pushed, I guess if whoever my next of kin is at the time wants something else done then that's their call.

Bootsy.

Well, anyone who can make any use of my organs is more than welcome to them, I want the rest of me cremated, put into a firework rocket, then.. *BOOM*

Zillah

krudler wrote: »

I want to be fired out of a cannon off the cliffs of Moher

I want to be fired out of a canon at the cliffs of Moher.

chucken1

Zillah wrote: »

I want to be fired out of a canon at the cliffs of Moher.

:D:D:D:D

PS..You Brat! (I jest)

pH

chucken1 wrote: »

I'd be a bit sceptical about that. Catholic graveyards used have what was known as a "paupers graveyard". It would be on the other side of the wall basically. It was for unbaptised babies and those who couldnt afford to pay for the burial.

You can be as sceptical as you like, the fact is that various county/city/town councils in Ireland run and maintain graveyards, in which anyone who wants to can be buried.

For example here is a news article discussing Newbridge council's acquisition of land for the cemetery you were discussing above.
http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/Newbridge-cemetery-extension-plans-welcomed.6629582.jp

Gregor Samsa

chucken1 wrote: »

Whats a local authority graveyard?

Here's a few examples:

Fingal Co. Council (North County Dublin) Burial Grounds

Clare Co. Co Burial Grounds

Cork Co. Council Burial Grounds

Galway Co. Council Burial Grounds

Not all local authorities provide them, so check with your local one (or a nearby one). Most are operated by the Environment or Water Services (?) section of the Council.

In Dublin, There's also Glasnevin, Dardistown, Goldenbridge, Newland's Cross and Palmerstown cemeteries, all run by the Glasnevin Cemeteries Group, who's stated aim is to "bury and cremate people of all religions and none, with dignity and respect". I'm not sure if there's any similar "independent" cemeteries around the country.

lallychops

Thanks for the replies. was just an interesting question. Personally I suppose I'll be buried in a church graveyard since that's always been the way with my family. Would also like to think there is something after death too. Seems incomprehensible to me that everything I am, believed, loved will just vanish when I die. There just has to be something else to this.. but that's just me I guess.

Gregor Samsa

lallychops wrote: »

There just has to be something else to this.. but that's just me I guess.

Not just you. Millions others think the same way.

Doesn't make it any more likely to be true, though.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Absolutely love this story:

A Donegal atheist had to be buried in Londonderry because the county has no facilities for non-religious burials.

Journalist Roy Greenslade's mother was buried in Ballyowen cemetery in Derry on Tuesday after a humanist service.

He said he was told atheists could not be buried in Donegal because the graveyards are church-owned.

"Therefore unless one is willing to compromise one's beliefs by agreeing to a religious service, it is impossible to be buried," he said.

"There is a degree of black comedy about this, and my mother, who had a fantastic sense of humour, would certainly have laughed.

"When I rang up and asked Derry City Council's cemeteries department if it was possible to bury an atheist in a municipal cemetery they said it was possible because there were different sections for Catholics, Protestants and Muslims.

"My wife asked if it meant they were going to start an atheist section and the woman said, 'oh no, she can go in with the Protestants'."
A spokesperson from Donegal County Council said it is only responsible for old and unused graveyards.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7588035.stm

Dave!

lallychops wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. was just an interesting question. Personally I suppose I'll be buried in a church graveyard since that's always been the way with my family. Would also like to think there is something after death too. Seems incomprehensible to me that everything I am, believed, loved will just vanish when I die. There just has to be something else to this.. but that's just me I guess.

You remember anything from before your brain developed? Yeah me either, so I doubt once it decomposes that I'll have any experiences worth writing home about!

liamw

lallychops wrote: »

There just has to be something else to this..

No, there really doesn't. Your inability to comprehend your own death nor your desire for life after death, does not change reality.

Once you face this reality, who knows, maybe you will appreciate this life all the more.

Pushtrak

lallychops wrote: »

Seems incomprehensible to me that everything I am, believed, loved will just vanish when I die. There just has to be something else to this.. but that's just me I guess.

According to mythology, Heaven is perfect. Humans aren't. So, what of you will remain in the event that there was such a heaven? I'd recommend you check out a great vid, actually that always comes to mind when I hear someone mention the after life, or wanting to live forever, or some variation thereof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MToOECmwMB0

seamus

lallychops wrote: »

There just has to be something else to this.. but that's just me I guess.

No, probably everybody does or has felt like that at some point. Unfortunately just because you really, really want something to be true or to happen, is no reason that it "has to" happen.

I remember watching the 2002 world cup when Ireland were in a penalty shoot-out with Spain in the last 16. I turned to one of the lads and said, "We can't lose, we just have to go through". We didn't, we lost.

Deciding that something is so important that it must happen, has no effect on the outcome.

smokingman

I'd be put in the family tomb fingers crossed. Back in the 1400s, my family were rich protestants who owned a large chunk of the county I'm from. There's a tomb a few miles from my old home with about ten or twelve of them in it (one with the exact same name as myself) and room for two more. My Dad found out about it years ago and set to cleaning back the weeds and trees that were choking it away from the world and someday.......maybe I'll be a nice dna time capsule to compare against my ancestors remains. :-)

legspin

"My wife asked if it meant they were going to start an atheist section and the woman said, 'oh no, she can go in with the Protestants'."

Spoken like a true Taig methinks

Beruthiel

lallychops wrote: »

Seems incomprehensible to me that everything I am, believed, loved will just vanish when I die.

Consider the fact that you at least got to live a great life for x amount of time. Consider the bazillion of sperm though time that never actually made it to an egg.
Do you realise what a miracle it is that you even exist? How is that not enough for anyone to be satisfied with?
Expecting more is just greedy!

I shall donate any organ still in working order.
I'll be cremated in the cheapest coffin available and ashes will be buried under a tree somewhere.

Galvasean

I want to be stuffed and mounted on my favourite armchair, forever glaring upon those around me with contempt.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

smokingman wrote: »

I'd be put in the family tomb fingers crossed. Back in the 1400s, my family were rich protestants who owned a large chunk of the county I'm from. There's a tomb a few miles from my old home with about ten or twelve of them in it (one with the exact same name as myself) and room for two more. My Dad found out about it years ago and set to cleaning back the weeds and trees that were choking it away from the world and someday.......maybe I'll be a nice dna time capsule to compare against my ancestors remains. :-)

Protestantism didnt exist in the 1400s

lallychops

Beruthiel wrote: »

Consider the fact that you at least got to live a great life for x amount of time. Consider the bazillion of sperm though time that never actually made it to an egg.
Do you realise what a miracle it is that you even exist? How is that not enough for anyone to be satisfied with?
Expecting more is just greedy!

I shall donate any organ still in working order.
I'll be cremated in the cheapest coffin available and ashes will be buried under a tree somewhere.

expecting more is greedy? where on earth did you get that idea? its unreasonable and selfish of me to hope that i dont just vanish after i die? thats ridiculous. i respect others view points. maybe it is a fear of death/ the unkown but i am greedy to seek comfort in the fact there is a heaven? that i do not agree with.

CerebralCortex

Beruthiel wrote: »

Consider the fact that you at least got to live a great life for x amount of time. Consider the bazillion of sperm though time that never actually made it to an egg.
Do you realise what a miracle it is that you even exist? How is that not enough for anyone to be satisfied with?
Expecting more is just greedy!

I shall donate any organ still in working order.
I'll be cremated in the cheapest coffin available and ashes will be buried under a tree somewhere.

So you'd never consider cryonics? Considering that which has a high probability of killing you or causing your death will be an age related disease? Just curious. I don't see how wanting to be alive is greedy I'm not with you on that one. However I am with you that death is it and that's all.

Beruthiel

CerebralCortex wrote: »

So you'd never consider cryonics?

Not sure I'd want that, but would be more than happy to replace faulty parts.

smokingman

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

Protestantism didnt exist in the 1400s

My bad, must get a pic of some of the gravestones next time I'm home. Hoping my memory of the age of them isn't affected by my own...:-|

Muppet Man

I think once you've had a splash of holy water on your head as a young fella you get the right to be buried in a catholic cemetary. That said, I'm not aware of a holy dude coming to a death house saying, "must have proof of christening before you get in there"...

For me personally, organ donation hopefully, followed by cremation, but it has occured to me that cremation doesnt help the grieving process for those left behind. So might need to rethink that. Ultimately it wont matter to me personally as I wont exist anymore, but for those left behind, I would not like to upset them any more than what is necessary (assuming someone is upset by me not being around more).

A thought occured to me... why cant I be shoved in the ground on my own land (about an acre in Cavan). The land is actually owned by me (and not the bank). There's a JB Keane-esque story there somewhere.

Muppet Man