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The Daily Undertaker
Angel of Death
I am someone who wakes up every morning and touches my own face, shocked and in awe of my simple aliveness. Why me? Why do I get to be alive? The answer to that question doesn’t matter, the awe does. I am so happy for my short time on this planet and constantly aware that – poof- it will be over. So my gratitude and joy live side by side with death. I am, like most of us, death haunted.
Patrick McNally’s blog, The Daily Undertaker, presents all sorts of different ways of thinking and dealing with death. He takes things from his experience as a funeral director in Wisconsin, but also mixes it up with the personal and the literary. There are posts quoting Charles Bukowski (linked here) as well as fascinating discussions on new techniques of burial, the most notable to me being promession (linked here), in which the body of the deceased is prepared for the earth in a way that enables it to compost properly as opposed to just rot. There are some lighthearted moments as well, as in this post where he discusses some of the more eccentric ways in which people can handle the remains of loved ones:
My father used to joke with my mother that when she died, he would put her ashes in an egg timer. That, he said, would be the first time she ever helped him make breakfast. This was just a joke forty years ago, but today people do many more unusual things with cremated remains.
Here is just a beginning of a list:
- Shotgun shells…Deer hunters can continue their involvement after death by having their cremated remains placed in shotgun shells and salt licks.
- Shot into Space…Join Tim Leary and others with a small portion of your cremated remains shot into a low earth orbit ( the flight is wildly expensive, and temporary, as the remains will eventually return to earth.)
- Jewelry…All kinds of jewelry is available to hold a portion of cremated remains.
- Ocean Reef…Eternal Reefs will mix your cremated remains with cement, creating a habitat for sea life on the ocean floor.
- A girl’s best friend…LifeGems and others transform the carbon elements in cremated remains into actual jewels.
- Sculpture…Memory Glass incorporates a portion of cremated remains into blown glass sculptures and pendants.
- Painting…There are several services that produce paintings with cremated remains mixed into the paint.
- Keepsake urns…Many families split a loved one’s cremated remains into several portions. Some may be buried, some kept, some scattered.
- Christmas Tree Ornaments…The down-side on this one could be feeling bad about packing the person away after Christmas.
Partrick’s father was my Godfather. When I found out he was studying to be a funeral director I said, “He’s the perfect person for this.” Since then, I’ve emailed back and forth with him, and indeed, he told me he feels it is a “calling.” Patrick’s life is dedicated to death and in the most reverent way he ushers us through the myriad issues of what it means to be an expendable life form, what it means to lose someone important to us. He does it with depth of thought, with unfallible respect for humans suffering loss and with a great love for the mystery which is our burning star like moment in this visible universe.
Tags: Patrick McNally, The Daily Undertaker
Promession is kind of hilarious, because it’s like “How can I use the tools of heavy industry to prepare my body in a way that appears more natural than just being thrown in a hole?” or “I am ashamed of having even bones.”
Promession is kind of hilarious, because it’s like “How can I use the tools of heavy industry to prepare my body in a way that appears more natural than just being thrown in a hole?” or “I am ashamed of having even bones.”
You don’t just throw veggies in a hole. Compost is a good thing.
I like promession. I understand it is elaborate but I can’t agree that it has anything to do with being “ashamed of haviing even bones.” We are, like everything else on this planet, eventually, waste. How we dispose of waste matters a lot to this planet. And of course, in Europe, they are far ahead in such matters.
Something like promession is something I thought about awhile ago, that people should be doing that, although my version was more like cutting people up and using them as zoo food, so in a way I can see andre’s point. I don’t distinguish much between giving my body to plants, which involves some kind of industrial process, and giving it to animals which involves simply hurling my body into a lion’s den. I’ve always thought I’d prefer my body dropped into the middle of the ocean, nibbled on by sharks, consumed slowly by scavaging eels on the ocean floor.
Something like promession is something I thought about awhile ago, that people should be doing that, although my version was more like cutting people up and using them as zoo food, so in a way I can see andre’s point. I don’t distinguish much between giving my body to plants, which involves some kind of industrial process, and giving it to animals which involves simply hurling my body into a lion’s den. I’ve always thought I’d prefer my body dropped into the middle of the ocean, nibbled on by sharks, consumed slowly by scavaging eels on the ocean floor.
Iam fairly certain, although not positive, that lions, the zoo kind, would reject human flesh, especially dead flesh. Lions largely eat grass-fed, not animal fed, animals. Just a thought. Sharks would do you right. Vultures, too.
I have no idea what I want done. I like visiting graves, but I realize that graveyards are on the way out for this planet. Sigh. Hopefully I have some time to figure it out. But I probably have something in my will already and promptly forgot about it? Wow. I should look into this.
I don’t disagree that we are/become waste, I just don’t understand what the need is for promession? As long as your body isn’t treated it is already compost. Regardless of how long it takes, minerals/nutrients or whatever are going to be returned to the soil. Promession just seems like a really elaborate way of buying relief from the guilt associated with destroying the planet?
Anyway. I don’t know what I’ll have done. Maybe I’ll get my ashes put into a baseball that will then be hit into the stratosphere by reincarnated Mickey Mantle.
I don’t disagree that we are/become waste, I just don’t understand what the need is for promession? As long as your body isn’t treated it is already compost. Regardless of how long it takes, minerals/nutrients or whatever are going to be returned to the soil. Promession just seems like a really elaborate way of buying relief from the guilt associated with destroying the planet?
Anyway. I don’t know what I’ll have done. Maybe I’ll get my ashes put into a baseball that will then be hit into the stratosphere by reincarnated Mickey Mantle.
Andre, I don’t know about relief from guilt. I think of it more as a way of dealing with an enormous population and “science of our enivornment” stuff, but I am not totally clear. It is not legal here, yet.
Darby, I also know that pigs eat human flesh. But, then, they wouldn’t be good for consumption themselves. My favorite pigs are the ones in Spain, the pata negras, that feed only on acorns.
That’s true too. But wouldn’t the process be a big drain on the environment? That is what I’m mostly thinking about.
That’s true too. But wouldn’t the process be a big drain on the environment? That is what I’m mostly thinking about.
Most carnivores will eat human flesh if they are hungry enough. And if they don’t, the insects will. I think people should be given the option to have their flesh donated to feed endangered species.
I kind of agree with andre about the guilt thing. It gives death meaning for people, that something good will come of their dying, in a more naturalistic way than religion can provide. Maybe that’s not guilt, but something else, but I have a similar skepticism about the process for this reason.
Most carnivores will eat human flesh if they are hungry enough. And if they don’t, the insects will. I think people should be given the option to have their flesh donated to feed endangered species.
I kind of agree with andre about the guilt thing. It gives death meaning for people, that something good will come of their dying, in a more naturalistic way than religion can provide. Maybe that’s not guilt, but something else, but I have a similar skepticism about the process for this reason.
That is why I said “the zoo kind”. The zoo kind of lion is not hungry enough.
I trust the Swedes more than I trust us regarding the envirnment. Those European, densly populated countries have more pressing issues than we do. But I know too little about about the reality of the industry of death to comment further.
I really loved this photo essay from harlem-
http://www.dailyundertaker.com/2009/01/travelers-project-documenting-african.html
I understand the initial response to promession- of thinking it unnecessary to return to the earth.
In fact, being eaten by animals would be the best way- and one that was practiced by the Zoroastrians (no relation to the legendary Zoro) in their ‘towers of silence’ until very recently. The Zoroastrians put their remains up into towers for the vultures to eat. Unfortunately, there are too many antibiotics and other noxious materials in humans now, and this killed off the vultures.
With open pyre cremation a difficult practice for Westerners to swallow ( http://www.dailyundertaker.com/2008/10/pyre-will-open-air-natural-cremations.html ), good luck arranging ta tower of silence in your home town.
The big difference between promession and direct burial in a ‘green’ cemetery- is that with promession, your remains are first broken down to the point that they can decompose in a positive manner, and become healthy compost. With any other burial, they eventually rot and return to earth in a form that is not as good for the living soil.
The process of promession involves natural materials and liquid nitrogen, which is an already present by-product of the production of liquid oxygen for medical purposes.
Thank you all for your interest in this topic. For a more in depth explanation, please visit the website of promession creator, Susanne Wiigh-Mäsak at http://promessa.se/index_en.asp
Of course, the issue of the most ‘correct’ or ‘green’ form of disposition is never the whole point for most of us. We must all do what feels best for us intellectually and emotionally. That is what counts, to have the right and the opportunity to do what we choose at death.
I understand the initial response to promession- of thinking it unnecessary to return to the earth.
In fact, being eaten by animals would be the best way- and one that was practiced by the Zoroastrians (no relation to the legendary Zoro) in their ‘towers of silence’ until very recently. The Zoroastrians put their remains up into towers for the vultures to eat. Unfortunately, there are too many antibiotics and other noxious materials in humans now, and this killed off the vultures.
With open pyre cremation a difficult practice for Westerners to swallow ( http://www.dailyundertaker.com/2008/10/pyre-will-open-air-natural-cremations.html ), good luck arranging ta tower of silence in your home town.
The big difference between promession and direct burial in a ‘green’ cemetery- is that with promession, your remains are first broken down to the point that they can decompose in a positive manner, and become healthy compost. With any other burial, they eventually rot and return to earth in a form that is not as good for the living soil.
The process of promession involves natural materials and liquid nitrogen, which is an already present by-product of the production of liquid oxygen for medical purposes.
Thank you all for your interest in this topic. For a more in depth explanation, please visit the website of promession creator, Susanne Wiigh-Mäsak at http://promessa.se/index_en.asp
Of course, the issue of the most ‘correct’ or ‘green’ form of disposition is never the whole point for most of us. We must all do what feels best for us intellectually and emotionally. That is what counts, to have the right and the opportunity to do what we choose at death.
pr- this is really fascinating. thanks for turning me onto this blog. I think cemeteries are beautiful too, and a little scary, but I’ve got to say that they–along with golf courses and Wal-Marts–are about the most wasteful per-square-foot use of space that comes to mind. In a perfect world, they’d be converted to forests. Probably in OUR lousy Mad Max future, they’ll be Soviet-style housing blocs.
Patrick- open towers! holy jeez.
pr- this is really fascinating. thanks for turning me onto this blog. I think cemeteries are beautiful too, and a little scary, but I’ve got to say that they–along with golf courses and Wal-Marts–are about the most wasteful per-square-foot use of space that comes to mind. In a perfect world, they’d be converted to forests. Probably in OUR lousy Mad Max future, they’ll be Soviet-style housing blocs.
Patrick- open towers! holy jeez.
Justin, I’m glad you enjoyed this. I have not commented on your Saunders piece yet- because I have to read the story first! Spoiler alert stopped me. I am looking forward to reading the story as well as your homily. Also, I understand the issue with cemeteries. Maybe I like them like l like going to medieval churches- a historical thing. The future of how our remains will be dealt with is fascinating and clearly an important issue.
Thanks Patrick, for stopping by. Yes, the most important thing is how we feel about it all.
That’s interesting and kind of sad. That human ‘progression’ was a no-turning-back endeavor. We’re too toxic for the natural world now.
That’s interesting and kind of sad. That human ‘progression’ was a no-turning-back endeavor. We’re too toxic for the natural world now.
i steal from walmart, hah
i steal from walmart, hah
“With any other burial, they eventually rot and return to earth in a form that is not as good for the living soil.”
That sounds like ad copy. I’d need to see evidence. Unless you’re referring to the chemicals in us as a result of diet/the environment, in which case I don’t really understand what the big deal is, as these chemicals are most likely a condition of our direct environment anyway…
It just seems very “21st Century West” to say that the way it happens naturally isn’t good for the earth or sustainable. I mean, in India what are they doing? Swimming in dead people? But yeah, everyone can do whatever they want. That is cool.
“With any other burial, they eventually rot and return to earth in a form that is not as good for the living soil.”
That sounds like ad copy. I’d need to see evidence. Unless you’re referring to the chemicals in us as a result of diet/the environment, in which case I don’t really understand what the big deal is, as these chemicals are most likely a condition of our direct environment anyway…
It just seems very “21st Century West” to say that the way it happens naturally isn’t good for the earth or sustainable. I mean, in India what are they doing? Swimming in dead people? But yeah, everyone can do whatever they want. That is cool.
Patrick, great blog. Will follow it on mine so I can keep up.
I loved the way you described how you wake up each morning. Pitifully, I usually wake up each morning with quite the opposite reaction and that’s something I should work on.
You probably get this a lot but wouldn’t it be cool if Six Feet Under (David? or Nate?) were on now and one of the characters blogged about Claire’s antics or some of Rico’s incredible saves. What did you think of that show, if you even watched it? I’m likely the first to ever ask you that.
Patrick, great blog. Will follow it on mine so I can keep up.
I loved the way you described how you wake up each morning. Pitifully, I usually wake up each morning with quite the opposite reaction and that’s something I should work on.
You probably get this a lot but wouldn’t it be cool if Six Feet Under (David? or Nate?) were on now and one of the characters blogged about Claire’s antics or some of Rico’s incredible saves. What did you think of that show, if you even watched it? I’m likely the first to ever ask you that.
christmas ornaments made me laugh gleefully. dying vultures made me laugh very sadly. promession made me think mmmm…. that sounds good.
years ago i thought i’d like to be cremated and have my ashes dumped into a small hole in the ground and a tree stuck in so that the tree could suck up the nutrients from ashes and also serve as my headstone rather than an actual headstone. i haven’t thought about that in years. but promession seems to be worth taking a look at. dissolving into compost sounds warm and sensuous and reassuring, like the inverse of in utero growth. death is quite an ending to life. i hope i’m fully aware at the moment of death so i can participate in it as much as possible.
christmas ornaments made me laugh gleefully. dying vultures made me laugh very sadly. promession made me think mmmm…. that sounds good.
years ago i thought i’d like to be cremated and have my ashes dumped into a small hole in the ground and a tree stuck in so that the tree could suck up the nutrients from ashes and also serve as my headstone rather than an actual headstone. i haven’t thought about that in years. but promession seems to be worth taking a look at. dissolving into compost sounds warm and sensuous and reassuring, like the inverse of in utero growth. death is quite an ending to life. i hope i’m fully aware at the moment of death so i can participate in it as much as possible.
Hey David,
go ahead and ask him that question on his blog! Not sure if he will check in here again.
Thanks for liking my waking up in the morning bit! Today, I woke at noon, so it wasn’t the morning, but I woke grateful as always (this wierd grateful to be alive evey day thing happened abut six or seven years ago)-
Hey David,
go ahead and ask him that question on his blog! Not sure if he will check in here again.
Thanks for liking my waking up in the morning bit! Today, I woke at noon, so it wasn’t the morning, but I woke grateful as always (this wierd grateful to be alive evey day thing happened abut six or seven years ago)-
Christmas ornaments, yes. And the shot gun shells and salt licks? I love humans. We are all so special.
Christmas ornaments, yes. And the shot gun shells and salt licks? I love humans. We are all so special.
oh shit that is funny. your write-up about waking up each morning that way is just great. i will have to ask Patrick that q on his blog. i read the link quickly this morning before heading to work and thought that was part of his blog that you cut/pasted. nice job…you got me, which isn’t saying much but still.
oh shit that is funny. your write-up about waking up each morning that way is just great. i will have to ask Patrick that q on his blog. i read the link quickly this morning before heading to work and thought that was part of his blog that you cut/pasted. nice job…you got me, which isn’t saying much but still.
i really like wal mart
i really like wal mart
I have looked further into the Zoroastrian custom of sky burial and find that I must make a correction on my previous comment. The vultures died off because of a drug given to cattle, not antibiotics given to humans. as I stated previously. I also learned that the vultures are making a comeback thanks to a reintroduction and conservation effort. I have a new post on the subject at
http://www.dailyundertaker.com/2009/02/vulture-club-tower-of-silence.html
I have looked further into the Zoroastrian custom of sky burial and find that I must make a correction on my previous comment. The vultures died off because of a drug given to cattle, not antibiotics given to humans. as I stated previously. I also learned that the vultures are making a comeback thanks to a reintroduction and conservation effort. I have a new post on the subject at
http://www.dailyundertaker.com/2009/02/vulture-club-tower-of-silence.html
i really need to know who’s painting that is or where i can find its information. I have searched for hours and i cant find anything online, i just began to look from scratch. Its kind of a personal situation but need to find a meaning. I’m gratefull for any information of this painting of the angel of death that u can give me
i really need to know who’s painting that is or where i can find its information. I have searched for hours and i cant find anything online, i just began to look from scratch. Its kind of a personal situation but need to find a meaning. I’m gratefull for any information of this painting of the angel of death that u can give me
Here’s the info I found-
“The Cup of Death” (1885)
By Elihu Vedder (American artist, 1836-1923)
An illustration for the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, stanza XLIII:
‘So when the Angel of the darker Drink
At last shall find you by the river-brink
And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul
Forth to your Lips to quaff – you shall not shrink.’
[From ArtMagic]
Here’s the info I found-
“The Cup of Death” (1885)
By Elihu Vedder (American artist, 1836-1923)
An illustration for the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, stanza XLIII:
‘So when the Angel of the darker Drink
At last shall find you by the river-brink
And, offering his Cup, invite your Soul
Forth to your Lips to quaff – you shall not shrink.’
[From ArtMagic]
Hey, that
Hey, that