ECO-DEATH TAKEOVER: Changing the Funeral Industry

Aquamation, Recomposition, Conservation Burial, and so much more! 2018 is our year to make massive inroads, deathlings.
Here's the list of questions to discuss with your family and friends this holiday season: bit.ly/2AQBkFr
*****
This was made possible by continuing support from our patrons on Patreon, please consider donating:
/ thegooddeath
There are many more resources on green death on our page: www.orderofthegooddeath.com
My book contains more information on the things discussed here (hardcover, ebook, or audiobook): amzn.to/2wofRxv
Pre-Order in the UK: amzn.to/2x2Z2aL
Thanks also to the Co-Op Funeral Home in Seattle: funerals.coop/
**WHERE ELSE YOU CAN FIND ME**
Website: www.orderofthegooddeath.com
Twitter: / thegooddeath
Facebook: ow.ly/Zz8PW
Instagram: / thegooddeath
**CREDITS**
Mortician: Caitlin Doughty
Writing & Research: Louise Hung (@LouiseHung1)
Editor & Graphics: Landis Blair (@landisblair)
Animation: Cheryl Agustin
Thanks to Talk Death for the following infographic: www.talkdeath.com/environmenta...

[@sassycassyg]

I used to want to be buried under a tree when I died, then I learned that a tree will literally eat the entirety of a body buried beneath it, possibly even forming a person-shaped mass of roots where they grew around and through the body. Now I *really* want to be buried under a tree when I die.

[@isuckatusernames4297]

that sounds metal as all hell and also very poetic

[@lizzyizzywizzy]

this is beyond sick

[@lizzyizzywizzy]

like, in the cool way

[@sassycassyg]

@@lizzyizzywizzy I know right it's so awesome

[@lowkeyusa]

Now this is it man!

[@xifel72]

I want my body to be disposed of the old fashion way: Flung from a trebuchet over the city walls of my enemies

[@woomeebly]

Wheeeee!

[@krzysiekv12]

Hah

[@historyarmyproductions]

I like it xD.

[@wtfisgoingonhere1076]

LMFAO! 😂🤣😂😂

[@wendybabendy]

That's only helpful if you die of a seriously contagious disease...

[@ana-sheafann5047]

My husband just called aquamation "grandma bouillon", and now, food will never be the same for me.

[@jaydendsin7350]

Your husband is a genius, I'm *wheezing* from laughing so hard.

[@Hessed3712]

Dude 🤣!

[@julieellis2870]

🤣😂🤣😂

[@fathomgathergood7690]

I was in mid chew of beef from a stirfry.. thank your husband

[@rahbruhn-howard8129]

Brilliant

[@lilithmatriarch7509]

Okay the fact that there are *preserved* corpses down there freaks me out waaaaayyyyy more than the idea of rotting corpses and skeletons ever did.

[@albuszx]

Ew, me too. Carcinogenic pickled people.

[@amebumpous4042]

Then fear not...the vaults sold as "Waterproof" are most certainly not. Leaving toxic black soup. Glad to make you feel better!

[@lyndsaybrown8471]

Vampires, am I right?

[@redeyedwithanger5866]

enter Mr. Linclon.........lol

[@rekietabeatslc9980]

@@amebumpous4042 heard the gases build up then explode. Started noticing how graves a few weeks old look sunken...creepy. I thought you were required to have that overcasket thing in America-honestly that freaks me out more than death. Just found out there's a green burial place here in Ireland, inexpensive too :)

[@cjboyo]

I'm not scared of dying, but the idea of my body being embalmed and shoved in a fancy box to pollute the earth horrifies me.

[@rubyblack6682]

Same. That's the most terrifying part of death for me. I don't wanna be stuck in a box forever

[@afrog2666]

It`s probably nothing compared to the waste you produce during a lifetime if that`s a comfort ;) hehe.. Unless you`re one of those people that eat out of the trash et cetera..

[@rubyblack6682]

@Liz I. I know but it freaks me out anyways

[@herauthon]

or put in sight - in perfect state with a nice smile - like the grannies in Wierd Science - hi hi.. yes.. a nice smile.. a dent..

[@jungtothehuimang]

Same! I want to be put in the earth in a shroud and that's it. No embalming, no preservatives, just put in a shroud and left to become one with the soil!

[@kauaijohn]

Since my husband is on the board of our local cemetery, I asked him to bring up the idea of natural burial at their last meeting. Some of the folks didn’t know what that meant but I’d coached him beforehand! Turns out, they agreed that they’d have no problem with natural burials in the cemetery and approved it unanimously! Hurray! I’m goin’ into a hole, naked and wrapped in a sheet with an untreated wooden plank underneath my body to make lowering my corpse a little less awkward and cumbersome! He, on the other hand wants a Viking “burning ship” style funeral. I explained that it isn’t legal, but that I’d have him cremated, put his ashes on a remote control toy boat, launch it into the local lake, and blow it up with an M80 firecracker. He says that’s cool!

[@jayvonkeffer9097]

Can I steal his death plan loool!

[@natcalverley4344]

kauaijohn As a Odinist I don’t know where you and your husband live but there is this little thing in the constitution that guarantees religious freedom. Who says being cremated in a wooden ship on a lake or Ocean is against the law. My funeral vessel is already made . I am Canadian and the Charter of rights and freedoms here protects my funeral rights. When I die I will be loaded in my ship on top of my funeral pyre soaked in diesel and my friends and family will set it adrift shooting flaming arrows at the ship to ignite it after drinking copious amounts of liquor. Where I live we are along way from police and coastguard response It will all be over long before any official shows up . Being set adrift in the ocean in my burning funeral ship is my religious right as long as I am not a hazard to navigation. It’s going to be a great party.

[@kauaijohn]

Nat Calverley In the U.S.A., there are laws governing the “disposition of human remains” that forbid cremation anywhere except for that done in a licensed/regulated crematorium or one single outdoor pyre somewhere in Colorado (I think). I guess they just don’t want people burning grandma in the backyard! And, honestly, I don’t think a wooden ship would survive long enough with the funeral Pyre burning on it to sufficiently cremate a human body. I believe that the Death Mother discusses this fact in one of her videos.

[@natcalverley4344]

kauaijohn I know I won’t be fully cremated the crabs and prawns will feast on the rest. Very eco friendly other than the diesel ignition but hey no more polluting than bilge water from the thousands of boats that ply the waters.

[@kauaijohn]

Nat Calverley I wish you well in your life and a spectacular send-off on your final journey on this plane. May it be all you hoped for and more! All the best, Kauaijohn

[@jenjamk5373]

I've been telling people for YEARS that I just want my natural body to be put in a dirt hole and left alone and people kept telling me that it wasn't legal. I looked up conservation burial places near me and there is a whole ass park for it less than an hour away!

[@chapablo]

Better get that en-of-life plan written down. Or you're going in a box.

[@shaylabousquet5856]

there's a place that does it in my city with a whole forest & I live in a pretty small city! I think it's definitely becoming more common

[@tomperry1048]

Just tell your local mortician that you want the Serial Killer Special.

[@danielcunningham381]

😊

[@netowner666]

Natural burial is so badass, like doing a protest sit-in at a forest for eternity

[@dusk7919]

Absolutely

[@juliannetoenjes6370]

I like this idea.

[@AquaPeet]

"Natural burial is so badass, like doing a protest sit-in at a forest for eternity" LOL they could dig a slightly deeper, square hole and lower you in a squatting position! Hey why not

[@Shindai]

I'm so fucking angry that nobody told me options for dad besides choice of casket. He wouldn't have wanted to be embalmed, I'm incredibly pissed nobody made me aware that it was just an option, not a legal requirement. Then they charged me £1200 or something to drive the three miles to the funeral home at 3mph. There's nothing about the whole arrangement that doesn't make me wanna throw a casket at someone. Dad would have wanted to be cremated and planted in a tree or something, not pumped with cancerous whateverthefuck so the cancer that killed him could be nicely preserved :/

[@AskAMortician]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, Daniel. But hearing this story helps other people, I promise!

[@valspatorico8415]

Daniel Gould Very similar situation happened to me. It sucks. We are in debt.

[@Kitty-mb4hy]

Daniel Gould I'm so, so sorry for your loss and your bad experience with the funeral industry. Such experience is what no one should ever experience. Let's hope one day it all changes.

[@jessicabrooks6530]

I'm so sorry.

[@buny4773]

I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your dad. You should know that cremated remains actually don't do any good to trees they are planted with, it would be better to have a tree planted on a grave at a natural burial or scatter them in a forest. Planting a tree with cremated remains can actually hurt it's growth, those people that sell urns with trees in them are scammers and most of those trees die. Again, so sorry to hear what happened.

[@shiny2423]

Now I'm going to take a basket weaving class at my local community college. Maybe I'll get extra credit for weaving my own casket basket.

[@johnlavery3433]

Reminds me of a terry Prachet book, a witch got just enough warning of her own death to weave her own wicker coffin

[@lazyhomebody1356]

That was my first thought! It seems like it would be a very soothing activity

[@c4ketown675]

LOOOL

[@atjenhansonify]

That would be awesome

[@steveevans6047]

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[@Kimberlaina]

For most of my life, I've found traditional western burial to be incredibly creepy. It's one step short of stuffing your loved ones and sitting them up in a chair so that they seem alive. The whole thing is basically a denial of death and decomposition. I thought natural burial wouldn't be an option for me, but after a quick Google search, I turned up a natural burial site situated in a local meadow, where the land is used to grow hay. I like this idea a lot better than being sealed in a box for eternity as if someone is going to open it and check on me later.

[@macdri]

I remember 20 some years ago expressing to my family that I wanted a chemical-free, shroud burial and was told that that would be illegal. This gives me some hope.

[@monicajones7393]

As long as it's done within 24 hours, it's legal in most places.

[@alyssaortega3185]

I swear if death doesn't come for me looking exactly like Caitlin did in the intro, I'm going to be very disappointed

[@AskAMortician]

Look behind you.

[@maritzasylvia]

😂😂😂😂

[@jamesryder8305]

Alyssa Ortega Yoo, same.

[@alphazenturbo]

I'd also take Death from Discworld.

[@kathieholland4176]

@@AskAMortician do you always have to have the concrete vault?

[@catherineu5118]

You're like a goth Ms. Frizzle and I love it

[@echoiburbank]

Oh my god! That's the perfect description!

[@Podunk82]

Hahahaha so true

[@elongatedcarrot3704]

Awwww man, not another field trip on the magic hearse!

[@angelica.86]

@@elongatedcarrot3704 hahahahah

[@ContentMadame]

@@elongatedcarrot3704 I want in on EVERY trip on the magic hearse!

[@PhattyBolger]

I find natural burial such a beautiful concept. To truly give oneself back to the earth seems to me like a very spiritual endeavour. Definitely want this when I go.

[@Krystal-O]

I definitely agree! Have you seen the video where she goes to a body compost farm? That'd be really awesome too. I love the circle it brings, the spiritual giving to the Earth. Really beautiful

[@courtneyb9182]

Honestly, after watching my mom, uncle, and grandparents be embalmed and given traditional burials, it only increased my necrophobia growing up, the memories giving me night terrors for years. I'm so thankful to have found your channel. I started watching to help begin overcoming my fear of decomposition and corpses, but your work has also helped me come to terms with my own mortality. I used to be TERRIFIED of my body decomposing in the ground or the idea of being burned (even if not alive), so learning about aquamation has in a weird way helped me find peace with my own death someday for the first time. Thank you so much, Caitlin!

[@danistaab7152]

Same here Courtney! (Though still squeamish) I for one never liked the traditional funeral idea. After this video I'm thinking either form of cremation (don't think water cremation is an option here as I've never heard of it until now) and that I don't even want a viewing. Just chuck my body into the appropriate machine and have a good old fashioned Irish wake with lots of drinking and people sharing favorite memories of me.

[@thenecroticfiend1692]

Me: I want a natural eco friendly funeral, with a biodegradable willow or bamboo cassette under a native tree on a protective site with herbs, woods and maybe crystals if possible. The funeral home: youre 18 Edit: I cant believe my dumb comment got so many likes xD im not even into crystals anymore lol or 18...

[@MrDustpile]

Well of course, if you say it like that! The funeral guys will only say why not chuck in some joss sticks and a recorded Greta Thunberg eulogy and a monk chant to fully round out the green new deal?? I'm not taking the piss really but if the lady wants her 'vegan woo woo' and laundry room methods to be popular and available, the marketing needs to be way less hippy teenager and rather more that they are cut price, practical, potentially less paperwork and with the promise that building tenders can be lower price to tempt politicians.

[@shadowfox009x]

@@MrDustpile In Germany a Friedwald (cementary in the woods) is gaining more and more traction. Although they don't do coffins. It's cremation, your urn gets buried under a tree and a plaque is attached. Nothing hippy about it. Lots of older people really like that idea. My mom has already stated that she wants that.

[@MrDustpile]

@@shadowfox009x I didn't say that in itself is all that hippy, it's just how the girl put it across. Though burying ashes is an interesting twist, the idea doesn't sound too odd compared to gardens of remembrance where ashes are put. Still, I'm not hot on the idea of bodies in baskets lain in shallow graves. It's all a bit near the topsoil for my liking.

[@shadowfox009x]

@@MrDustpile In Germany you have to bury the ashes. Either in a regular cemetary or in a Friedwald. No keeping auntie on the shelf. And with space being a real issue, that's a good option I think. I guess the idea of the basket doesn't bother me so much, as German cemetaries want a body to decay quickly (you are only allowed to dress the body in organic fibre and all jewelry and such has to be removed if possible). Graves are expensive and you can only "rent" one for twenty or thirty years. In some cities it's even just ten years. Once those are up, you either have to renew the "rental" or the garve get's used for a new body with the bones of the old body either buries a bit deeper or collected and buried elsewhere.

[@MrDustpile]

@@shadowfox009x I would have thought with no cemetery space, letting punters take the ashes home would be just the ticket. And you should if it's family. Germans, kuh! Mind, they do a bit better with the rental thing than in places like Guatemala where bodies are left in public for the refuse men when the crypts are emptied. Well there's a difference between doing things differently and being fruity. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZSyh62bmMuYnrc

[@ladyicondraco]

Since I started watching this channel I've been talking to my parents and siblings about what I want. This, in turn, has made them talk about what they want.

[@PB-qe6ce]

ladyicondraco That is good. My mom just tell me to shut up cause that not something to talk about 😧

[@anisatajy9445]

My mother would be like, "You just want me dead, huh? Uh, I knew it!" *dramatic crying* *and then remembering every fault I have in me*

[@matthewprescott1171]

I wish my parents would be like that. My parents just get angry with me telling me I shouldn’t be talking about stuff like that. :(

[@eeleyes]

Same! My mother said she wants to be cremated, but perhaps she would consider aquamation!

[@Talamasca007]

I asked my mother, she told me she didn't care, whatever was cheapest. I said," So, basically, you want us to surprise you!" She said "yeah" and we had a good laugh.

[@WiIIowisp]

My english class has to write short STEM-related essays and I chose to write mine about alkaline hydrolysis :D

[@maryjoyspohrer256]

Good for you!

[@Lilghostpepper]

I’ve been saying it for years, “just put me in the ground so I can give back to Earth” lol and now I’m grateful to know it’s a real option

[@Persephone0110]

Why in the name of anything are they still using toxic chemicals, tons of wood, steel and concrete? I'm so glad Caitlin is out there educating us all!

[@sinish5418]

Because there isnt money in green choices.

[@kevinsullivan3448]

@@sinish5418 A shame those eco-friendly wicker caskets are as expensive as a steel casket. Yes, it's about money and sanctioned green choices are just as expensive as other choices because politicians still need their kickbacks.

[@moodyblues6321]

@@kevinsullivan3448 If you check Caitlin's website, you will find that the wicker caskets are not expensive. There are plenty of eco-friendly and budget friendly choices.

[@kevinsullivan3448]

@@moodyblues6321 I work for a mortuary and have prices eco-friendly caskets for clients and, at least here in Arizona, the prices are equivalent. Maybe in California the cost of steel caskets is higher due to excessive taxation. P.S. Nights in white satin, never reach the end.

[@lisaseverance6785]

The concrete is required in my state but we have a very high water table here and it is to prevent the decay from seeping into ground water ie drinking water. This I get. The rest, at least in my state, I believe are pretty flexible.

[@okayso1747]

This information needs to be viral. This is the first time I've heard of these options, and they're 100% better than the scamming operations going on.

[@missfreakk1416]

Same here, I didn't know about acquamation and it's super exciting!

[@laurajackson6860]

One of my daughters has been asking me to get started on making my final arrangements, (I'm 72 and my cardiologist seems to thing I've got a couple more decades) so to humor my sweet worry-wart, I've emailed both daughters about my decision to have a natural burial. I haven't heard back from them and it's been two days, so I'm guessing they never saw that coming. Your video has been very reassuring that I've made the right choice for myself.

[@dogguy8603]

Its definitely good to get this done early but yah it was probably a bit of a shock to em lol, I am lucky that my parents were upfront about what they wanted for a funeral. So if I have questions I just have to ask "yo mom when you die what do you want done with your meat sack?"

[@tashawnnabutler6244]

You should totally send them this video if you haven't done that already. 🙂

[@MikeLittle2015]

How about a video on "sky burial?" It sounds so beautiful and pure: "When I die I'll become one with the sky!" Actually, they chop you up and feed you to the vultures. Marketing at its finest.

[@UniDocs_Mahapushpa_Cyavana]

Well, you do still become one with the sky. Also, you are supposed to get favourable (technically good and bad karma aren't things) karma in Hinduism and Buddhism if your body gets donated for something useful/being eaten.

[@Ellie-rx3jt]

Yes please I would like to be fed to vultures that sounds amazing.

[@MikeLittle2015]

@@Ellie-rx3jt You might have a look at the Wikipedia article on the subject at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_burial. Most of those who are familiar with the process and can conduct it properly appear to be in Tibet. For Caitlin: How about it? Y'think mortuary schools should add this to their curriculum as an elective? :-)

[@barbeeska]

🤣

[@arisadefazio7885]

Funnily enough Caitlin's dream death plan would be a sky burial

[@Cynder44]

That weaved casket actually looks pretty good. Personally I find the thought of my skeleton being intangled into the roots of a grand tree metal and romantic at the same time.

[@andyaitken4243]

Except in the Evil Dead movie, that was weirder🤣🤣

[@seasidescott]

Upside down with a tree growing out my...

[@robertnett9793]

Eventually, if wind topples the tree and your bones poke out of the ground, you get to look like a Games Workshop terrain model :D

[@seasidescott]

@@robertnett9793 - good imagery but I don't think it's possible because the time and conditions necessary to grow a tree large enough to be toppled by wind and soil damp and loose enough to let it fall are not ideal for preservation.

[@bonniea8189]

My parents buried my sister's placenta in the yard and planted a tree over it. I like this idea for corpses too.

[@ladyofthemoonflower]

I found out about “green” burial or natural burial in 2018 when my mother died. We had never sat down for a formal discussion of exactly what she wanted, but in her final days she made me promise her that her body would be placed in the earth. From my childhood I remember overhearing her joke around, saying things such as that she didn’t want anything fancy, just a plain box and into the ground. After she died, I was very clear with each conventional cemetery I met with that she didn’t want anything removed, no embalming, no fancy casket. I’m fortunate that no one tried forcing me into anything, and I was even encouraged to purchase a “green” casket from a third party to abide by my mom’s wishes. The only downside was the required vault that it would be placed in regardless of how “green” it was. When I stumbled upon natural burial, I kind of got excited because what was described seemed to be exactly what she wanted. The only problem here in LA is that the 2 cemeteries with natural burial sections charge 5 figures for just the plot itself. I found an actual natural cemetery, but it’s all the way in Joshua Tree. On top of all these complications was the grand fact that there was no money at all for her burial. She left behind nothing and no life insurance, and I’m an only child with no other (involved) family. That’s when what I consider a miracle happened: upon referral from a hospice rabbi I had met by chance, my mom’s case was approved for a free burial program with a Jewish cemetery. (We’re Jewish by ethnicity, but I wasn’t raised in a Jewish community.) I quickly discovered that my ancestors had been burying their dead in the same fashion for centuries: the natural way. The service was described by the FD as one of the sincerest and beautiful services they had in a while, and everything was done just as she wanted. A plain wooden casket with no nails, no embalming, and into the ground. I was even invited to begin shoveling in the dirt if I wished after the casket was lowered into the ground. All in all, everything came together despite having no plan in place. But that’s no to say that it wasn’t very very hard to experience, therefore just ask Caitlin says, please please please make some sort of plan with your wishes and share with family and friends. It will not only save everyone who survives you a world of time and confusion, but it will also allow for your loved ones to enter the grieving process uninhibited. Side note: Was anyone else astonished by the fact that this might be the very first time we saw Caitlin’s forehead?? 🤔😂

[@theo_aetc]

i’m so glad your mum got the funeral and burial she wanted :,) may she rest in peace, and may you have a wonderful day

[@ladyofthemoonflower]

@theo taylor, thank you for the kind words and wishes. Have a wonderful day as well and be safe and healthy! :)

[@Vesta_the_Lesser]

Five figures for a plot. That’s vile. I bet they figure they can get away with that because they’re the only two such cemeteries in the area

[@BeTeeEl]

My mom also died in 2018 and we went with the green burial option. She and I had always talked about planting her with a sapling when she died. And now she is out in a beautiful natural preserve :)

[@BeTeeEl]

We were in the lucky position where she had already basically made her death plan. And one of my brothers was already out in the same Cemetery so it was pretty easy to get her there

[@CatFUNguss]

I used to be scared of just disappearing into the earth, but now it just seems so chill yk like your chilling with all the things that have ever lived and thats so cool

[@-Miss-Malice-]

Holy hell, I had no idea conservation burials even *existed*! I WANT THAT! I can spend the rest of my eternity protecting nature in some small way, giving birds and animals a safe home that will never be taken from them.

[@heatherswanson1664]

I'm Chinese and the traditional way to bury someone (like my grandma and great grandparents) is to put them in white cotton clothes and bury in the ground, no casket needed. I'm sure this is the standard process in lot of cultures.

[@GillOfTheNorth]

That's exactly what I want. If there's any organs that can be salvaged, cut them out and put them in someone else. Wrap up whatever is left in a bedsheet and bury it in the woods. Or maybe weigh down the bedsheet with rocks and throw it overboard. Hell, bury me in the backyard if you really want to be able to come back to it

[@user-bu2lh6fq3w]

I’m Muslim and we are buried in three layers of cloth and put in the earth :) “From earth we are made and from earth we shall return to”

[@user-bu2lh6fq3w]

@@GillOfTheNorth I hope your family excepts your wish dear friend have a good day :)

[@EspeonMistress00]

@@user-bu2lh6fq3w Yup, and it's obligatory for Muslim burials though in my culture they add a layer of banana leaves.

[@willhuey4891]

@@user-bu2lh6fq3w and also its to keep them from coming back as pocongs in some countries if they werent buried properly.

[@Nolie_CaNolie]

When I die, I don’t want my family to die with me... financially, that is.

[@mikelee158]

😂Qualifying the financial bit afterwards makes it sound like "But dying physically with me, well, I'm all for it!"

[@Nolie_CaNolie]

Lyta A well, I still want them to be alive! But after they die, I want them to be buried next to me.

[@scruffy281]

YESSSS!!!!❤️👍🏻

[@lazyhomebody1356]

Revenge from beyond the grave

[@zed4643]

Life insurance 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@vanessabrannan4059]

My SIL's cat passed today and will be aquamated at Resting Waters tomorrow. She found it herself, but the interview in this video was comforting for the whole family.

[@nicoles9373]

Learning about aquamation (in a Psychology of Death and Dying class) changed my life! Fire and bugs are my worst fears but I had planned to opt for cremation as the lesser of two evils. As a bath enthusiast, aquamation can let me have one last one while being turned into ash. Now to convince the politicians in my area - give me my aquamation, dammit!

[@SohiTheTinyKittenHuman]

My ten year old brother wants to be turned into a tree when he dies... he's kinda passionate about it... its kinda adorable...

[@lindseybailes9558]

I do too

[@moistsquish]

Saaame

[@BillDerBerg]

A human corpse can never become another living organism.

[@BillDerBerg]

Totally false notion

[@kellynaz9256]

@@BillDerBerg .........u dumb

[@myceliiumz]

me, age 17, desperately trying to explain to my spanish speaking father i want to be aquamated while speed translating everything this video said in my head: mmmme water death PLEASE

[@miacalderon467]

Lmao. I tried explaining to my mom about my green funeral. She listened then said, no seas pendeja. Primero me muero yo! 🤣

[@hakaandavor2789]

What you said but in indonesian

[@Average-honkai-player]

Same but I'm mute and my parents don't know much sign language.

[@peggedyourdad9560]

@@Average-honkai-playermega oof dude

[@michaelrmurphymurphy391]

Use one of those wood chipper things!

[@amypieterse4127]

I live a stones throw way from a cemetery, you can see the crematorium from where I live. My family often jokes that we live in the dead centre of our suburb. Ba-dum-tsss And we know that the cemetery plots have all been bought up, so we joke about how people are dying to get into the cemetery. Ba-dum-tsss My family is weird. And I like that.

[@maryjoyspohrer256]

It's the best!

[@EchoAshbell]

You make me want to make a death plan. Traditional burial has never been something that appealed to me but I like the concept of green burial

[@celestespencer9367]

You've heard of a wicker basket, now get ready for... wicker casket!

[@DP-rx6zf]

They had them, looked like a large wicker basket I seen one from the 1800's and of all places at a Flea market in Denver.

[@ChroniclesofAlicha_Balaam]

Lol

[@andyaitken4243]

Heck no I’ve seen both versions of The Whicker Man and he still gets cremated 🤣🤣

[@lorij6796]

Eventhough I would be dead I don't care for being put in a basket to decompose and feed the insects.

[@tjsmoth7234]

Wacksket

[@roxyoursox524]

I was like "I'll spearhead this campaign to get alkaline hydrolysis approved in my state!" only to google it and find out that Minnesota was the first state to approve alkaline hydrolysis for human corpses. Damn ecofriendly medically advanced Minnesotans.... (I am actually very proud of this, go Minnesota!!)

[@jinxydoll]

Woo, go Minnesota!

[@ihatemickiegee]

yeah I myself just discovered Illinois approved it in 2012, proud of us. only wish I knew about it last time I lost someone, they would have very much approved of that option rather than raining down cancer!

[@kyrabaumann7669]

I just also looked it up and where I live (Saskatchewan) was actually the first place to legalize it in Canada in 2012

[@stephaniemomma]

Maine’s been on board since 2012 at least 🙂

[@EnnameMori]

Green burials have been getting pretty popular in Australia over the last decade. Tis really cool.

[@jessm9233]

I love the idea of a conservation burial so much. Having my remains help prevent land development is one last way I can be a pain in the ass to people I probably don't like.

[@Diana-qr5od]

I told my mom i want a natural burial and she freaked out. Asking me WHY I'm talking about my death... I told her .. well because death is natural. 🤣🤣😂😂 she got mad at me .

[@aleahlrb]

If that doesn't sound like my grandmother, which I find weird because she's really religious, and when we die, according to our religion, we reunite with GOD. Doesn't she want that? : P

[@angelica.86]

In the veterinary field we are very comfortable with death. We make death beautiful and painless. We give our patients dignity when they go. We use Euthasol to help them to cross the rainbow bridge. I just watch my grandmother 2 days ago take her last breath in a hospital bed. I'll tell you animals have it easier. 🐾🐾 😭😭

[@ralral3545]

Mothers are wacky like that...... Peace to all

[@BigDaddyZaddy2324]

Diana 0000 same

[@CM-uq8ro]

@@angelica.86 right?! They call it "dr assisted suicide" when Drs. help a human die without unnecessary pain and with dignity. My grandpa died recently, and it really shook me how horrible his death was. He's been on dialysis for years, but it stopped working. He was over 90, and his body couldn't handle it anymore. When that happens the lungs slowly fill with fluid until you basically drown. It seems cruel to me to let someone die so horribly.

[@CorollaLvr2000]

Omg, a half hour of Caitlin???!!! Holiday dreams CAN come true!!!

[@RadexxxHippie]

I T ' S . T H E . Y E A R . O F . C O N T E N T

[@AskAMortician]

Merry Deathmas, my children!

[@thesweetshop49]

A half hour of my Fairy Death Mummy!!

[@joanjett24]

Id like ur comment but it's at 420 so im leaving a comment instead...

[@CorollaLvr2000]

chicken permission I do appreciate the effort. Lol

[@moonstruckfaye]

In my country (Germany) we unfortunately have very very strict rules how you're allowed to bury your dead. Bodies are only allowed to be buried in a cemetary or a designated forest (without a head stone). You can cremate of course, but relatives or friends are not allowed to keep the ashes. So you can either bury them again in a cemetary / forest or get a burial at sea, but you can't keep the ashes or distribute them yourself.

[@barbara_LL]

damn, cant have the ashes? thats unfortunate

[@ashesfalldown492]

I just found out my state, MD, legalized it in 2010. And we have several green burial choices. Thanks to this channel I am talking to my partner and making a plan.

[@Lesboop]

I was totally unaware of this type of burial. I've been telling my kids for years not to stick me in the ground but to cremate me. After watching this video, you have changed my mind. I will be advising my children of my alternate choice. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@evelynharber6077]

I feel the same way. As in I dislike the thought of 'bugs' indulging on my body after I have died! Hoping that my having already informed my children that I want (a cremation or (b eco-friendly coffin or shroud (as cheap a coffin as possible, I am unable to appreciate it so why waste money!). The idea of the aquamation or water cremation sounds very doable to me and is my preference. Hope they will abide by my wishes when I do 'go'!

[@brookeburnsb7620]

Same

[@boiledegg3534]

Evelyn Harber no matter what you do you’ll never escape being fuel for another organism you should just come to terms with that now

[@LostInThought2013]

@@boiledegg3534 That thought is actually what brings me peace. Everything that I'm composed of will return to nature and will be used in other forms of life.

[@salem1281]

My mom has always said the same thing! She finds the thought of her body decaying in the ground disgusting. 😂

[@THENAFERATU]

Half of my death-related depressions went out the window when I wrote down my funeral and burial wishes at 23. Guys, we all die. Choose how you wanna be disposed of, and life will go smoothly.

[@em2106]

THE NAFERATU interesting... I have a lot of depression, not necessarily about my own death but maybe writing things down will help

[@lisam4641]

I agree with a green burial. However, I don't agree with a southern accent being a negative thing 😠

[@pureblood7240]

THE NAFERATU I told the funeral home that AFTER they fry me up, “take what’s left and sprinkle it around the tree in the back of the funeral home”. “There is a tree back there, right”?

[@heatherpullum3007]

I just wanted to thank you for this video. I watched it on my previous account about a year ago and learned about aquamation. I recently lost my 16 year old fur baby who had always pulled me through the rough times. I didn’t want to bury her on our property, because we may eventually move. I also couldn’t stand the idea of cremating her. Aquamation was the right way to go for us and made my heart feel a little better about a terrible thing. I know it’s strange, but she was family and I wanted her to have the best.

[@krisej31]

OMG, thank you! Before watching this video (and some of your others) I had no idea how many options there were. And I just discovered that aquamation is legal in NSW Australia where I live. Only the "liquid remains" can't be poured down the drain. So instead the water is used to water national parks and bushland. How awesome is that? I also found out that there are a lot more natural burial sites than I would have thought. And once the land is full to capacity, it becomes a national reserve. You might also like to know Australia might be legalizing Promession (spelling?), in the near future. Which has me excited.

[@ericanoel8495]

I already had a plot and funeral plan as I didn't want my young daughter to have to do anything if I died while she is young. I didn't even know i had the option to be embalmed or not the funeral home we went through insisted on it never gave me any other option. I have now revised my burial plan. Thank you so much for giving us information all funeral homes should but refuse to give us. You are amazing...

[@danielled-s9083]

Exactly, when my father died the places I talked to essentially made it seem like It was law that we had to purchase the casket or have him cremated

[@wvFrequenzkontrolle]

Same here... the few Funeral Homes in my region all claim you either Embalm or go elsewhere... 1.) They try to claim it is a State Law, but will not disclose where such law exist... 2.) They try to claim it is a Cemetery Requirement... however, when I have told them no it is not, they want to argue with me... until I pull out a copy of the Private Cemetery Deed, denoting that I OWN the private cemetery as private Real Estate and make all of those determinations... that is when the funeral directors tend to SHUT DOWN on me, as they are out of excuses by then...

[@ghostfacegirl180]

When my time comes I want to be aquamated and my remains kept in an urn if someone wants them, or mixed with soil that will have catnip planted in it so cats will visit my grave.

[@kristenmarie9248]

I love the idea of planting catnip!!!❤❤❤❤❤👍

[@canalfalamatheus]

Being visited by cats is the ideal last wish

[@thatcasualdragon2975]

In Oregon, the water from aquamation is used to water sod farms. When my mom and aunt were going to have their mom cremated the other year, they decided on aquamation instead. Not only because it seemed a better process, but they knew their mom would appreciate both being more environmentally friendly and the water being used to help things grow (she was an avid gardener). My mom wants the same.

[@barbaraseville4139]

Carbon dioxide and water vapor help things grow.

[@beverleyarnold7204]

You are amazing Caitlin, I watch you over and over, and share. Green, natural burial yaay! Comedic, intelligent, informative. Your slots should be part of school curriculum, removing fear and giving the power of choice. Well done, thoroughly good job🌹

[@nightingalesong3059]

"When I'm dead; just throw me in the trash!" Danny Devito in its always sunny. My death quote.

[@Ak-rg2ik]

I always tell my family, I don't care what you do to me when I die, just make sure I'm actually dead. Lol. Take me to the dump for all I care. Bury me in the yard with my dog even . Don't spend all your money.

[@fgjhham89]

Even better, donate it!

[@petenielsen6683]

My sister's mother in law wants to be kept in a coffee can and kept in the trunk of the car so that if her son gets stuck on NY 11 in the winter he can spread some under the tires and "thank mom one more time." Although usually the only reason they take that highway is to go see his mom in the first place!

[@peggedyourdad9560]

Just sew me into a burlap sac and chuck me into a river lol

[@ants_in_my_eyes_Wilson]

This is what I tell my mom all the time.

[@LunaZola]

I had never heard of alkaline hydrolysis until now but it seems like such a great choice and now I have another reason to be proud to be Minnesotan. You talked about some really beautiful things in this video, Caitlin.

[@Supersquishyawesomeness]

LunaZola I hate living in Illinois but somehow it’s actually legal here

[@autumm.kenneylmt6013]

Super_squishy_awesomeness420 _ Wow! That's a good reason for me to move back to Chicago!

[@MartyredMuse]

I can't suggest the book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers enough if you're interested in learning more!

[@AndroJonny95]

Started watching this out of morbid curiosity but actually it's so much more, honestly your channel has made me feel so much better about death as a concept. Remarkable work. My mum died 2 years ago and had a natural burial, and while i knew it was more environmentally friendly, i didn't know the full extent, thanks for making this!

[@wthinwthout2786]

I'm watching this the day after putting my beloved soul cat, Zinnia, to rest. We chose [for the same price!] aquamation over cremation. Listening to the process helps me [but not much] cope. I'm lucky enough to have that option and, as a weird vegan cat crazy feminist, I get to reduce a little bit of the carbon footprint of my selfish desire to always have her above ground. This video gives me distraction and comfort. Thank you.

[@shelbyleann608]

You’ve made me choose my burial at age 24... (25 now). ABSOLUTELY NO EMBALMING, only a natural burial. A wicker coffin with a white sheet and flowers.

[@ihatemickiegee]

I just commented the same thing hahaha (about writing my arrangements at 24) and how as long as I can fertilize the growth of some blue hydrangea beds and sycamore trees MINUS any possibility of unnatural carbon footprint I'm perfectly comfortable with the disposition of my body!

[@hopefulskeptic42]

Good for you sweetie!

[@flying-sheep]

A cardbord box for

[@stevenj68]

Save up any Amazon boxes

[@josealqueres]

Its made by Nintendo maybe?

[@Tinyvalkyrie410]

My guess is it has to be fairly specialized since it needs to be strong enough to lift a body. Additionally, it has to make up for the lost revenue for choosing this option. It’s like how registration for electrical cars is super pricey since you aren’t paying taxes on gas.

[@dragonsword7370]

it's a stout reinforced cardboard box. You could probably get it down to 50 dollars with mass production.

[@adrianagflores5587]

We paid $35

[@CG-lz7qj]

So, I used to be terrified of death. Mainly because of being buried/or burned to death. But, your channel has actually put me at ease about the whole process. You’re very informative and talk about death in a way I never thought about. I have much less of a huge phobia now.

[@eleonorasassi3989]

Honestly, I never understood the obsession with preserving the body...I get for the wake, but forever? It seems to me the most natural and respectful thing for the dead to let nature do its course, we ARE nature let us finally completely fuse with the soil and nurish new life.

[@sarielle85]

In Germany and suppodedly other European countries it's not allowed to use sealed caskets or caskets made from iron or plastic or any non-rotting material. Because of the population density you can only rent a grave for 25 to 30 years, so the body and the coffin must rot away within this timespan. And many graveyards don't allow embalmed bodies to be buried there because the toxins will get into the groundwater.

[@BillDerBerg]

In the western USA there are vast expanses of desert so we're not going to run out of space for burying human corpses anytime soon

[@apelsinaviciute]

That's correct. I'm from Lithuania. I can confirm that.

[@EmmaGodLovesTruth95]

Gotta love places that actually care about our precious planet... Sigh... (F@#$ the USA....)

[@apelsinaviciute]

@@EmmaGodLovesTruth95 I hope it changes in USA. Ruining nature is harshly punished in my country. Everything needs to be in it's place, including human remains and it must be ensured, that after a time, we still have place for our loved ones to lay at rest. Right now, people interested in cremation, but it's not so popular as it still pollutes the air.

[@DMOTAMNB]

There is an exception to the limited rent time of graves for Jews in Germany... //something something 1930's ... etc whatever//

[@gettingfit8501]

"April showers bring CANCER" randomly pops into my head at least 3x a week

[@darlameeks]

Thanks for this! I had never heard of aquamation before...it sounds like a great option. I learned about natural burial years ago (already familiar with Gainesville, Florida's Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery...it's not far from where I live in Jacksonville). I definitely want to go the natural burial route, and may very well use Prairie Creek. I am definitely squeamish about icky embalming guck replacing all my own...to quote Dr. Strangelove...precious bodily fluids. I had thought about the plain pine box with natural fiber lining, but the wicker casket you showcased is way cuter!

[@mikaylaescobedo7098]

THE LARRY KING ONE I'm watching this like a week after he died

[@mikeg8276]

LOL I was like 😳

[@k80_]

So with conservation burial, you basically become a national park? Sign me up!

[@iheartcryptoverse2857]

I love the idea of becoming a tree. Put a nice marble bench next to me so people can relax as they sit in my shade.

[@BehindTheMoons]

Wow, that is some serious game step up ! I always love your videos, but to me this one is something else. You go in depth in your subject, it is so informative for the viewers. Thank you for the quality content !

[@meggangrist2285]

BehindTheMoons +

[@rashidasmama]

BehindTheMoons , this has totally eased my mind, no doubt..I feel as if I dodged a bullet...lmao..no really.

[@mamiecairns2603]

What type of affect does water cremation have on a wastewater system ? If there are any ?

[@kjmg65]

You are one pretty lady

[@andyaitken4243]

BehindTheMoons damn right and I’m so glad Caitlin does

[@IcyMidnight]

It's super important to address death and the issues that surround it. Thanks for addressing things in a straightforward manner!

[@ayangyi]

after watching this video, i did a little research and learned that there's one natural burial site in my country! i'm so stoked! i was so sure that wouldn't be an option here

[@Psilocybism]

My teacher asked me what I wanted to be in the future: I answered: compost I would love to be food for Marijuana plants.

[@jessicamcwilliams3346]

I said something similar when I was asked what I wanted to be when I was 6. I got 9 months of therapy I learned to lie a like rug if dont want to talk feelings.

[@Psilocybism]

@@jessicamcwilliams3346kinda had something similar when I was young but now the internet is here and you can talk all out about your secret compost fantasies. Welcome!

[@fgjhham89]

@@jessicamcwilliams3346 Seriously, death is so taboo (to individual and societal detriment)... which is why it was so great to find this channel!

[@user-bu2lh6fq3w]

This made me laugh 😂 thank u random friend

[@Psilocybism]

@@user-bu2lh6fq3w no problem, random friend I can not pronounce the name of😊

[@deusexaethera]

Alkaline hydrolysis sounds like the perfect approach for someone who _really_ loved gardening -- get turned into fertilizer when you die!

[@gozerthegozarian9500]

It's the ciiiiiiircle of liiiiiiiife....

[@fdfischer]

Recently there also came out a coffin that is made from a fungus and moss that speeds up the decomposition into a compost. Not as fast as alkaline hydrolysis though

[@byrnetdown6076]

@@fdfischer my bestfriend LOVES that idea (he's a mushroom n u t)

[@fdfischer]

@@byrnetdown6076 Personally, unless I somehow die rich and or famous enough to get my own tomb a natural burial sounds like a neat idea

[@Izik8890]

@@byrnetdown6076 in some other comment i just read about a mushroom death suit. Maybe that's an option?

[@heytherepeople8194]

I used to be terrified of death even after my grandparents (grandfathers) when I was little, watching Caitlin's videos have helped me understand that there is nothing to be scared about it, better than anybody in my family.

[@PandaJohn71]

I don't see myself dying any time soon and have been terrified of my own mortality since I was kid but your videos about death, burial, cremation, and the alternatives put my fears to ease some what.

[@Saffron-sugar]

Natural burial seems very romantic to me. Laid to rest and becoming part of the earth. Maybe having some flowers or a tree planted that your body will help to fertilize. It seems so right

[@ghost_anna_reads787]

Saffron Sugar want it more romantic, have the ceremony take place at dusk with candle light and fine cotton curtains stop decorate your body as your loved ones lower you into the ground.

[@frogcultleader1811]

I know, it seems like if there is a right way to do it, natural burial is it. You can give back to the earth what you borrowed during your lifetime. Plus the conservation option is another way to help the environment even in death :)

[@Tubularvalleydude]

Fun(?) fact: We could build 2 Golden Gate bridges every year with the amount of steel we use for metal caskets in one year in this country.

[@robbiebullock1003]

Just.... WOW!!!

[@elongatedcarrot3704]

@Heather A so it's a waste because tradition and business says keep doing it.

[@davidroddick91]

Yeah, but what would you do with all those bridges?

[@goosegalileo]

David Roddick maybe not build bridges, but build things more needed.

[@littlemomouse]

I wish I had known about your channel and all of this information when my baby brother died two years ago (it was a suicide, he was 13 and I had just turned 18). I know he didn't want to be put in the ground and buried, so we had him cremated after a viewing. I would have loved to have him aquamated without embalming, but I didn't even know that was a thing until I found your channel last week. I will say though, the embalmers did a great job. He looked just like the happy-go-lucky boy I remember him being. I'm definitely going to talk to my mom and grandparents about eco burial for when their time comes, or if I pass away unexpectedly. I'm definitely going to request I be aquamated.

[@nwmacguy]

My grandfather chose the water cremation method. $2500 USD including pickup at hospital. Liquid was ground applied to a forested/grassland area and dried/pulverized bone went home with me to later distribute along a game trail on a forested ridge above the farmstead he grew up on almost a century ago.

[@zukuto8894]

As Danny devito says “when I die just throw me in the trash”

[@Jediahbear]

My grandmother straight up told me that when she dies to just flush her remains down the toilet 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@alex-uc8ki]

"Are you trying to hawk some _gimmicky new age gluten free organic vegan woo woo funeral thingy in _*_my wOODS_*_ "_ IM DEAD LMAO😂😂😂

[@judihardman321]

Caitlin, you are articulate, well informed, a great historian, a great teacher, funny (sometimes:, and I love your voices and humor.😊

[@annaraeellison3417]

My main issue with a natural burial is not having a marker or some way to identify where the body is. Many people need that connection of being able to visit a site to place flowers, etc. The other issue is family or close friends not being able to say goodbye to the body. It can complicate grief if a sudden death happens, and there is no way for someone close to them to make the psychological connection that the person is really dead .

[@nlwilson4892]

Most UK eco-burial sites plant a tree on top of the grave. It marks the grave so people don't dig it up and the family can visit and see the tree as the spirit of their loved one (if that way inclined) and it turns grassland into woodland which is good for the environment.

[@touchstoneaf]

I love this part so hard, because it's very much like the movie The Wicker Man (the original one, not that piece of garbage made by Nicolas Cage et al). Everything about that movie pretty much jives with my spirituality. Well... except for the whole burning people part. I mean, live ones, anyway. Where was I going this? Oh yeah. Tree. Yeah; I'm feeling that.

[@gracedavis5143]

Just a funny thing my little sister said (she’s 5) “I don’t mind dying as long as I get to keep my eyeballs somehow”

[@NHHalKnowsHow]

I like that you're resting peacefully in a tub filled with water with a Romex electrical cable just off your left shoulder.

[@IAmSamsquatch]

A friend of mine passed from cancer several years ago and had a natural burial. He was buried about a mile in the woods from a Catholic Monastery nearby in a pine box. He was an avid outdoorsman and wanted his body to "spend its days where he loved being the most" to this day it's the most beautiful funeral I've ever been to; to such an extent that I told my wife I want the same thing. Bill Shepard if you ever see this from above know we miss you buddy! You're still a badass even in death!

[@nicolesdad0]

Update; On May 21, 2019 Governor Inslee signed SB 5001 Concerning Human Remains into Washington state law, legalizing alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation) and "natural organic reduction" (recomposition).

[@rebeccac5361]

Oh yay... I was just gonna read comments then google if it was legal in WA.

[@victoriasyverson7490]

Yay Inslee

[@davidyoung2639]

Aquamation's in all my end-of-life documents and I'm a P.M.A. member, so I'm covered. (WA resident here.)

[@chippychin]

Thank you for the update!

[@lil_weasel219]

yeeeey

[@itslauralove]

The timing of this upload couldn't be more serendipitous. I'll explain - My family started a tradition about 10 years ago where take turns every holiday to show a video of our choosing, and it's (finally) my turn. I'm, admittedly, the "black sheep" of the bunch, but I'M SO EXCITED TO SHOW THIS.

[@Mary-op8hi]

That's such a neat idea

[@mistidiane788]

Please let us know what the family thought. I actually think it will open some eyes!

[@sowelu66]

So? How did it go?

[@jcherry875]

I want to know about it too!

[@optimiserablic785]

My family used to do this. It stopped because apparently I'm annoying.

[@therainbowwillow4453]

Thank you so much for this video! It’s so nice to hear that there are options for my body that don’t involve avoiding rot!

[@laundryrat9068]

The fact that you have opened millions of people’s eyes to the options after death is amazing. I had no idea until I found this channel and I immediately changed my after death plan

[@annwhale4418]

Washington State just passed a bill into law that allows human composting as of April 2019.

[@angels4225]

Human compositing?

[@lqboren47]

@@angels4225 www-foxnews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.foxnews.com/politics/washington-becomes-first-state-ever-to-allow-human-composting.amp?amp_js_v=a3&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCKAE%3D#aoh=15812116098184&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fwashington-becomes-first-state-ever-to-allow-human-composting

[@14Raine14]

Omg I just found out that my local funeral home offers aqua cremation! Apprently they are the first to offer it in a funeral home. So proud of my little town and community!

[@miraeverwyn9911]

I just looked it up. My state also has several locations that offer this. :)

[@Anna-tc6rz]

@@miraeverwyn9911 illegal in my state 😭 I wonder if it would be legal to jump over a state lol

[@annielin2894]

14Rain14 which state is for water crematon?

[@GlobalFreeLiving]

Aquamation is the reduction of the body by a chemical process, not a flame process. In traditional cremation, the soft tissue is removed with fire. In aquamation, the tissues are dissolved into water. What remains after either process are the bones of the deceased.

[@adowson26]

New Hampshire still doesn't offer it, but we do have a few choices for a green burial! My other choice would be to become a prop at Disney World, but apparently it's frowned upon. BOO!

[@sexyaccordion]

I feel a little weird for commenting several years after this video came out. My husband recently decided he wants aquamation after he dies. I didn’t know much about it, but thought Ask A Mortician would have a video. Thank you for the great info. I’m now comfortable with his decision. As for me, I want a natural burial, and this video spurred me to research and discover a beautiful conservation cemetery near me. We both hope to have several more decades of life, but it’s comforting to know each other’s wishes. Thank you!

[@elle7768]

Just showed this video to my family unit that I count on. Then gave them manuals for the classes we will take at “The Good Earth” in Madison, Alabama so they can handle my body at home and take me straight for a beautiful natural burial there. The hardest decision I’m having is do I choose the meadow that is full of wild, indigenous flowers or the woods where there are shady trees and deer behind the tree line. It will also leave my children with NO financial burden as she lets you finance your amazingly cheap plot and has 12 months with no interest. She’s been such a pleasure to work with in educating me and my family on my wishes. (I am 38 and healthy but I am afraid of fire, afraid of fire, and the idea of embalming?? No thanks!). I am a nurse so the body after death is not new or alarming to me, and I’m grateful my family is on board. Even my husband said “I want to do this too! I’ll be beside you.” Thank you Caitlyn and Sheila at “The Good Earth” for helping me make end of life plans I am at peace with.

[@SJ_WomenAgainstPredators]

I shouldn't have laughed at, "April showers bring...cancer"

[@casandrabullock9497]

Sjondel guilty. I laughed too.

[@dumazroy3462]

LadyAngler I’m trying to smile at April showers and being serious at cancer... quite difficult.

[@1979hellcat]

I’m all for an ECO-FRIENDLY burial!

[@albertvasquez6207]

Your so awesome and beautiful 😘

[@caseyisgreat]

I'm old enough to remember having family reunions in the cemetery where my family is buried

[@Kevin-er5hm]

Very interesting. I remember discussing with my sister years ago my wishes for what to be done with my remains. It was at a time when cremation wasn't really welcomed in our area. (now it is chosen about 50/50% of the time) She said "where will I visit you if you aren't buried?" (Like I'm going to die first...). I explained that what happens to my ashes will be up to my wife/daughters. But do NOT bury my embalmed remains in the ground. Now hearing that natural burial is legal in all 50 states, another option will be explored. (cue "The Hearse Song"...which will be played as I am lowered into the hole.)

[@tylerrankin3578]

I made a poem for my English class since we were doing the poetry unit and my teacher really liked my poem about death, I call it "grim reaper" lol I am the Grim Reaper I am your friend I follow those who need me From time and again I come to you when times are grey I will be waiting Right under that archway I help guide travelers People of all age I help them start writing On a new page When your time is done And you’re in the ground I will come find you Under your mound I am the Grim Reaper I am there at the end I’ll lead you to freedom For I am your friend hope you like it :)

[@terrycrews1760]

Tyler Rankin hmmm I’m not sure how I feel about that

[@sabrinagranger5468]

I know this is an old video but being in the bath with full make-up and a gorgeous cocktail ring is my aesthetic.

[@thegreatcake2119]

Thank you so much for making videos. I've been watching them for about a year now. They have helped me get through my mom's death. And get over my fear of death.

[@rachelbrinkley3020]

I've been binging ask a mortician for the last week. I love it! But this is, by far, my FAVORITE video yet.