Hanging Out Forever

As I started thinking about new and strange ways to be buried, I found I was having trouble coming up with anything that I would actually want for myself. I'm a sucker for tradition so I find it hard to break from the established norm for these types of things without a good reason. Sure it would be neat to be made into a diamond, but that would also be a little bit creepy...I know I wouldn't want to wear my grandma, so why should I impose myself forever on someone else? Being shot into space would be neat I guess, but no one could ever visit me again. Mummification surely isn't for me. Cryogenics doesn't work.

My resounding "NO" to all of these funerary practices got me thinking about the limitation and requirements I seem to have for my own burial: 1.I want to be accessible, in one way or another, to my family and friends left behind. 2. I want to remain whole. I'm not sure why, but I feel like staying in one piece might be a good idea. 3. I don't want to be present in everyone's life at all times...distance from the dead is a good thing (in my opinion) so I would like to be separate from everyday life.

With these guidelines in mind, I began searching the internet for something original that might suit me. And lo and behold, it didn't take long until I ran across somethings awesome...the hanging coffins of Bo! Although this practice is not new, being used by the Bo people of China for centuries, it is definitely not something you see everyday. This practice involves placing the dead in a coffin, and attaching that coffin to the side of a prominent cliff.

The dead are therefore displayed to the living, yet separate from their lives, and left in one piece. I like this burial method because it seems adventurous even in death. I'm not a religious person so I have no particular specifications that say I can't be put to rest on the side of a cliff. So why not? It is somewhat of a spectacle, taking the weight off of the tragedy of death and re-contextualizing it in a unique and (in fear of being insensitive) somewhat goofy way!

From: 7 Strange Funeral Customs from "Weird Worm":
http://www.weirdworm.com/7-strange-funeral-customs/

This funerary practice wouldn't leave much in the archaeological record. The coffins are wooden, and they are driven into the cliff face with wooden spikes. After many many years, the only evidence that I was ever there would be the holes in the stone where my coffin hung. This is another reason I like the hanging coffins of Bo. Not only is it entirely biodegradable and environmentally friendly, but leaving such a strange mark in the landscape would puzzle archaeologists down the road and I like to think it would be my last joke. I wonder what they would come up with to explain those holes. Birds? Rock climbers? Some strange ritual test of accuracy and strength? Who knows what theories I could spark!

My own grave goods

 If I were to die today, what would I want my family and closest friends put into my grave? What a weird thing to think about. I suppose that when someone dies, they want their loved ones want to remember only the good things about them, and all the positive and happy moments in their life. So that eliminates a lot. But I've had a very happy and exciting life, so it will be hard to pick! Ok, top three things that I would want with me six feet under:
1. A memento from my trips to Africa - Altogether, I have spent almost 5 months on the continent, and it has truly changed me to be a more confident and caring person. It also helped me direct my life, inspiring my goals to work in international aid. Those people who know me well know what I never stop babbling about how much I love Africa and how much I want to go back! They also know that who I am now, after my travels, is better than who I was before I left. So I would want something to reflect this positive change and the adventurous, compassionate and always-looking-for-a-challenge side of myself!
2. Books that have been compiled for both sides of my family by my siblings, cousins and myself for our grandparents and families. I am far too close with my family for my own good. They are a major part of my life and they got me to where I am today (dead, in this case...). My family is where I've had some of the best times of my life and spent some of my happiest days. Seeing as being dead will be a new experience for me, I think it would be nice to have some of this comfort down there with me.
3. Last, but not least, I would want to be buried with various gifts I have received from my friends over the years. These all show a positive and loved side of myself and the good times I have had with some fabulous people. The people you associate with are a reflection of yourself, and I would be proud to be remembered as one of them!
All of these things reflect the positive side of me. I would want to be remembered for the things I did right, and the people I have loved, and not for anything else. They also let me toot my own horn right down to the last - and why not go down singing?

Intro

Hi everybody!
My name is Emily and I'm a fourth year anthropology student. I wanted to take this class because, well, it's interesting. I took Viking archaeology last semester and loved the layout of the course, and as this one is with Dr.McGuire too, I thought I'd give it a shot. And so far so good!