For myself, I think the whole burial thing is environmentally awful and see no need for it.  Along with cremation, there is a growing movement for a "natural" disposal of the dead-- with woodsy or park-like spaces taking the place of cemeteries where bodies are given the chance to deteriorate and return to the earth.  
(Also, the expense of the embalming, casket, plot, etc. is pretty awful.)   Of course, much of this depends on beliefs-- religious or spiritual; and, with the growing numbers of those who call themselves atheist or non-affiliated, the whole funeral event becomes a different thing.

Sent from Melinda's iPhone (with apologies for any weird typos)





> On Sep 8, 2014, at 12:10 PM, Eric Huffstutler <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Let me pose this question to the group for a poll sampling. 
> 
> This ties into my involvement to try and save a large abandoned cemetery. The question is: 
> 
> There is a trend for cremation today. Society as a whole has turned away from traditions in general for a no fuss life. 
> 
> Other than cost factors, are traditional burials now out of vogue because no one wants to go through all of the Pomp and Circumstance of the funeral then bother with driving to a grave for visits and grounds keeping? That it is easier to scatter the ashes and be done with it or simply dust an urn? Could this be why so many cemeteries are becoming overgrown and turning into jungles like Evergreen here in Richmond? 
> 
> Eric 
> 
> ______________________________________
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
> http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html

______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html