SchoolTube Community
Have you ever wondered what would happen to your body in space? What about if you were REALLY big and got cremated? Death is a topic many people avoid, but it's something we'll all experience one day. So why not face our mortality with a sense of curiosity and humor?
Let's dive into some fascinating (and slightly morbid) questions about death, inspired by the insightful Caitlin Doughty, aka Ask a Mortician, and her guest, author Mary Roach.
A Corpse Among the Cosmos
Imagine this: a deceased astronaut is ejected into the silent void. What happens next?
First, they'd freeze, becoming a human popsicle hurtling through the cosmos. Their journey would continue at the same speed as their spacecraft until gravity intervened. Pulled towards a planet or star, our frozen friend would begin a celestial orbit.
But what if they were orbiting Earth, say, at the International Space Station's altitude? They'd circle for a while, eventually slowing down enough to fall back to Earth. The descent wouldn't be graceful. Imagine a fiery, supersonic plunge at over 17,000 miles per hour! Talk about going out with a bang! You could even say they were super cremated upon re-entry.
Cremation Concerns: Can You Be Too Big to Burn?
Let's shift gears from space to the crematorium. A popular question many ponder: can a large person cause a grease fire during cremation?
The answer is a bit nuanced. It's theoretically possible, but highly unlikely with a skilled crematory operator. You see, there's a 'Golden Rule of Cremation,' and it all comes down to brick and heat management.
The cremation chamber is lined with heat-absorbing bricks. At the start of the day, these bricks are cold. A larger person (over 250 pounds) is cremated first, allowing for a slow, controlled process. As the day progresses, the bricks retain heat, making subsequent cremations faster.
Putting a larger person in a preheated chamber could cause problems. The intense heat might lead to rapid burning of adipose tissue (fat), generating excessive smoke and other undesirable outcomes. Hence, the Golden Rule ensures a safe and respectful cremation for everyone.
Keeping Memories Alive: The Victorian Way
Remember those lockets with a loved one's hair tucked inside? It might seem a tad creepy now, but the Victorians were onto something! Hair is a surprisingly durable and personal memento.
Caitlin Doughty, a licensed mortician, is a proponent of keeping hair as a remembrance. She shares that while she receives requests for hair locks from families every few months, it's not as common as it once was. She finds this unfortunate, believing it's a beautiful way to honor the deceased.
Hair is legal to keep, lasts practically forever, and provides a tangible connection to the departed. So, if you're ever in the position of making funeral arrangements, don't shy away from requesting a lock of hair. It's a unique and meaningful way to preserve a piece of your loved one.
Facing Death with Curiosity
Death is a natural part of life, and while it can be sad and scary, it can also be fascinating. By approaching death with curiosity and a touch of humor, we can better understand and appreciate the cycle of life and death.
So, the next time you have a morbid thought, don't shy away from it. Embrace your curiosity, do some research, and you might be surprised by what you learn. After all, as Caitlin Doughty says, "There are no weird death questions, only weird death answers."
You may also like