Same in Greece.

Sort of the same with some of the older cemeteries in Louisiana. Some have a slot in the back that when it is time for the next burial any remains are pushed through it and fall into a vault if there is a vault. Although with the number of cemeteries that have become building sites in many parts of this country I have started thinking of them as only temporary places.

True in Hong Kong as well - they're really short of space, there.

I heard on the radio the other day that there's some thought being given that since cremation uses quite a lot of precious petroleum, and adds to pollution and global warming, that it would be helpful to our dear old world in several ways if some of us would choose to have our bodies composted.

As I have no grandchildren and with offspring in their 50s, very little prospect of having any, next to no possibility of nourishing some flowers to grace my great granddaughter's nuptial bouquet.

ole joyfuelled ... whose composting might provide some heat to generate some power to light your way - later, if that's O.K. with you!

I grew up in Germany. I always thought it was normal. My Dad died when I was twelve. The grave is there for 25 years, you do have the option to extend it though. After that time, they removed the grave stone and border. I am not sure what happens to the remains. I was in the US by that time. Also a big difference was that we always planted flowers there by season, in Winter it was covered with pine branches and wreath. I always found it odd to see these artificial flowers in graveyards here. Of course one has to go water almost daily in Summer. With it being a small village, neighbors took turn to take care of several family’s graves.

Yup, both my grand mothers graves are no longer available for me to visit...

Washington just passed a law (first state to do so) allowing composting of human remains!

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/washington-first-state-allow-burial-method-human-composting-180972020/

It makes sense. Another trend on the topic of disposition of remains is mentioned in the article olychick linked, which notes that cremations exceeded burials for the first time in the US in 2015. I suspect this trend will continue.

The "village cemetery" where all or most of one's ancestors are buried is a pretty archaic notion for these days, given the personal mobility and lifetime moves most of us experience.

I never visit my parents' burial sites nor those of other relatives/ancestors. None are nearby but I'm regularly in the general areas they are. I don't know what would be accomplished if I did. I periodically think of those I was close with and can do that wherever I am. I'm sure that's more common than not these days.

Yes, found that out when visiting Germany

Not sure how interested my first choice would be but I would happily give my body to science if that could help in any way shape or form. I am older and I am not in perfect shape so not sure whether there would be any reason for them to take my body. I suppose it is written somewhere what the criteria is to donate the body to science. I'll have to find it.

My second choice would be composting after a fashion. I would want to wear the mushroom suit which apparently would grow and change me into a less toxic substance for the Earth. At last I would be almost completely environmentally friendly. :-).

Cremation bothers me because it is supposed to pollute and I don't want to think of myself as going out as a big polluter even though I probably already am :-).

Heated composting would be fine to me as well. I think that destroys most of the toxins? And then what is left of me would be used to grow plants? Or even replenish soil in some way! Sounds good to me.

There needs to be organic matter, e.g. hay, straw, grass, around the body, and a certain amount of moisture to facilitate the operation of the bacteria, microbes, etc. and there needs to be fairly frequent mixing of the materials.

I'm reasonably sure that they said that decomposition takes about four or five weeks, and sometimes other materials, e.g. humus, mulch, etc., may be added.

They reported that it comes out like regular compost and smells quite attractive.

Ordinarily, bones need to be pulverized in order to help them compost much more rapidly than if left intact.

ole joyful

As a gardener, I would love to have my remains composted. No expensive funeral. Just a cotton shroud and some technique to speed simple decomposition.

In Alabama, one can apply for permission to have a burial at home, or on other private land. No embalming or caskets required. I've seen many rural cemeteries with placards at the gate requesting that families please call ahead before digging a grave.

Embalming isn't mandatory in most situations in every state.