Thinking about what will happen to you after you die isnât something we often want to tackle head on and look into, but what if we told you there are some really fascinating options you can pick from? You probably still wouldnât dive into it just yet, so let us do the hard work for you.
Not so long ago, you had really only two options. Be buried or cremated. Today however, while those two options are still the primary choices there are many options for what comes after or even variations on the two. So here are a few options you can pick from.
Become a Tree â If youâve ever wanted to become a tree, here is your chance. While still a burial, this method uses your dearly departed remains to nourish a tree of your choice. It was proposed by Capsula Mundi and while not exactly in production, they currently offer biodegradable urns for ashes. They intend to produce a similar urn for the body, but it is not yet available. Basically, pick a seed, place the ashes in the pod, plant.
Diamonds are forever â and so are you. Yes, this one isnât new. But you can be made into a diamond. While it is certainly an enticing idea, just remember that someone has to keep it as an heirloom and not sell it! Following your departure from fleshy form, your body is cremated and carbon from your purified ashes is compressed to make a diamond and can even be coloured to your choice. But its important to note that this process can be pricey because of the purification process, but at least youâll look nice.
Memorial jewellery â If becoming a diamond is a little pricey, then a more affordable option is having your ashes turned into either glass or resin jewellery. There are many companies in Australia who offer beautiful jewellery pieces in many different styles.
AquamanâŠmation! â If you are looking for something a little more environmentally friendly, then Aquamation might be for you (although, I donât like swimming). This is done by rotating your body in a chamber of water. Currently only available in Victoria, NSW, ACT, SA, and Queensland, Aquamation is less toxic, better for the air, and the best bit is the liquids collected are used as fertiliser. An urn with your remains is also collected and provided to your loved ones.
Swim with the fish â Continuing with the water theme, you will be cremated, mixed with cement, and turned into a reef. Eternal Reefs is one such organisation based in the US which turns your remains into the next home of our fishy friends. Not only are you becoming a sea habitat, this is an environmentally friendly alternative to burial and doesnât take up room in a graveyard where lets be honest, can be a tough place for loved ones to come visit.
Rest in the Ocean â You can purchase a biodegradable turtle urn so that your ashes can be released into the ocean. Please be aware that many local Councilâs need to grant approval before you can release any ashes or items into the ocean.
Crime Scene Investigations â If you are a CSI fan, this option is for you. You might have heard that the University of Technology Sydney has a very unique criminology department which uses real donated bodies in its research. Yes, you can become the victim of an imaginary crime scene. This option is important for training students on recognising key elements of body decomposition when investigating crimes like homicide or missing persons cases.
The Body Farm â The University of Technology also operates the âBody Farmâ in the lower Blue Mountains, where bodies are left to decompose naturally to enable them to update their research into the ways that bodies decompose. This assists crime scene investigators to more accurately estimate how long bodies have been left at crime scenes.
Go out with a bang â Literally. You can now be turned into a fireworks display. Following your cremation, your ashes will be packed into a few fireworks and yes, its available in Australia.
Freeze Me! â Cryonics is still science fiction, and there is not any guarantee you will ever be unfrozen. Cases of cryonics companies going bankrupt and the bodies defrosted and destroyed occur often. With no current estimation of when this could be reality (if ever), it could be centuries before someone unlocks the secrets of cryostasis. But there are some benefits. Namely that you could help scientists in their research into this possibility. This option is also available in Australia.
Viking Funeral â If you really just want a show when you go, and you arenât as concerned about the environment, then this is the option for you. Sadly, the firey part isnât legal in Australia and as of this writing, open air cremation is not permitted. If youâre wondering why, itâs related to mercury in your teeth that becomes airborne when exposed to high temperatures. So you will have to be satisfied with the being buried at sea. Permitted under the Sea Dumping Act (Cth), your body must be prepared and wrapped in specific way before delivered quite some distance off land.
Blast into Outer Space â Whilst this option isnât yet available in Australia, in other countries you can have your ashes sent to the moon, or launched into outer space.
Organ Donation â What better way to continue your legacy than to save the lives of other people? The team at Donate Life Australia offer support and counselling for your family and loved ones throughout this process. Your family can even elect to anonymously correspond with the recipient family and find out the positive impact your donation has had to that family.
Written by Kathryn Harriss and Seth Harlen
Solicitors
