Thread: Death and Dying

It's something we're all gonna do. Most fear it, all think about it, even if it is in the bacground. When the son takes the car there are fears he will have an accident, when a child is diagnosed with a horrible disease, when we get old and our bodies start to not perform the way they once did. Seeing people we know or love, suddenly in a box covered with flowers. All these things and more force us to think of death.

I came across some info on death. I learned that in the Jewish tradition a persons spirit is said to linger for a week or so after death.

Buddhists in the Tibetean tradition understand that the spirit of the deceased remains for 7 weeks. During that time a ceremony is performed in which the spirit of the dead person is guided through the realms of death to liberation.

Some are more than happy to die without hope for something more. I do appreciate the Zen perspective of immediate authentic living. But I like the Buddhist concept of the individual which makes death something to deal with but not all that permenant.

I dont fear death and I think its silly to. What I am scared of is who I leave behind Ive been to too many funerals where people were crying and I dont wont that. Id sooner have no one show up and thats part of the reason I dont want to have kids. The fewer people that care about me the better.

The solution some people choose to avoid being missed after death is to be a complete jerk to all of those around them. It's one of the most popular self-fulfilling prophecies around.

Funerals are for the living, not the dead. It provides closure. This is why we have open casket funerals, circumstances permitting, and why people always seek to see the return of their loved one's body if it is missing or otherwise inaccessible for a funeral.

Originally Posted by Divine Wind

The solution some people choose to avoid being missed after death is to be a complete jerk to all of those around them. It's one of the most popular self-fulfilling prophecies around.

I really dont see the point in that, Ive been that jerk and it isnt a good experience for anyone involved.

Originally Posted by Apathy

I really dont see the point in that, Ive been that jerk and it isnt a good experience for anyone involved.

Well, there is that downside. The upside being a critical lack of mourners at one's funeral.