4 ms·
I'm always amazed at the amount of thought that people seem to put into the handling of their bodies after they're dead. Elaborate rituals and strange requests
by tdfx 16y ago
I'm always amazed at the amount of thought that people seem to put into the handling of their bodies after they're dead. Elaborate rituals and strange requests that provide no benefit to them and only seem to inconvenience the people who are in fact still alive.
- mfukar 16y agoPosthumous fame: we all want it, always did, always will.
- joshuacc 16y agoThis makes sense in many religious contexts. For instance, traditional Christianity asserts belief in the "resurrection of the body." This implies that the body isn't a mere shell to be cast off, but is actually part of what made the person who they are, and is worthy of respect. Thus you have saints relics in Catholicism and Orthodoxy. I assume that other religions offer explanatory contexts for their rituals as well. These may or not make sense when transferred to a modern secular society.
- allenp 16y agoI think it is important to note that ceremonial burial was practiced by archaic secular societies as well - including Neanderthals. I think that we need some sort of group activity to help us transition to new situations - ie graduations, weddings, funerals, in Japan there are now wedding-like ceremonies for divorce with both families attending. I think at its basic level there is something along these lines: change is uncertain, the group is here to witness the change and the group is not startled, I'm ok because the group is ok.
- eru 16y agoDo you have more information about the divorce ceremonies?
- allenp 16y agoHere is a link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65K3YV20100621 http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65K3YV20100621
- joshuacc 16y agoGood point about it being group response to change. I guess I was thinking more of the particular ways in which the rituals are shaped by the surrounding religious culture. "ceremonial burial was practiced by archaic secular societies as well - including Neanderthals." Is there evidence regarding religious belief among the Neanderthals? I'd love to read some material on that.
- jimbokun 16y agoHow do we know Neanderthal society was "secular"?
- allenp 16y agoYou got me - we don't really know either way.
- skmurphy 16y agoWhat if the dead body is your mother, your husband, your son, your sister? Traditions provide structure for grief and are of considerable benefit.
- JoeAltmaier 16y agoSentiment. Darn those inconvenient old emotions.
- jimbokun 16y ago"Elaborate rituals and strange requests that provide no benefit to them and only seem to inconvenience the people who are in fact still alive." Exactly the other way round. The rituals are solely for the benefit of those still living to better deal with their grief and loss. I suppose strange requests could become an inconvenience. But Hunter Thompson's request that he be sent up as fireworks for his friends to observe and enjoy, for example, seems less an inconvenience and more a thoughtful gesture to those he left behind. So it all depends on the request, I guess.
- khafra 16y agoDo people's desires expire when they do? If we do not call irrational a will directing someone's worldly goods to his descendents, why would we call irrational Hunter S. Thompson's wish to be shot out of a giant cannon?