A Wake of Vultures. Considering Our Death

A Keening Post

Photo: Mid-England Barrow - a modern barrow / Click on the image for the source

It’s been a year of hospital appointments, tests, and procedures for family members, and now it’s my turn - an operation for a nasal condition due to take place in less than three weeks.

It’s usually me prompting folks to consider how they might design their funeral. Not in an alarmist way, more in a practical one - these are things we should all think about.

With the operation looming, even though it’s day surgery, I can’t help but consider these questions for myself, and to be truthful I’m amazed that I haven’t given them much thought. I’ve thought of my death all my life, but I’ve never considered the practical aspects of it.

I’ve had this nasal procedure before, over 15 years ago. I met with the surgeon minutes before being wheeled into the theatre. His hurried tone made me think he legally had to impart this information before surgery - and so in one long-running sentence he explained rather matter of factly - ‘nasal membranes - very close to the eyes’ and with a wave of his hand added - so always a slight change of blindness, and as I’ll be close to the brain - there’s always possible brain damage - and off he went with the parting words thrown over his shoulder - ‘let’s just hope for the best’! I didn’t even have time to process all of this for I was soon administered the intravenous general anesthetic and counting backwards from ten.

I’d like to be buried in the cemetery where my brother is buried, for it lies at the bottomof my favourite hill. But I think this cemetery is now full. Perhaps my second option would be to be cremated, have my ashes mixed in with other nutrients in which a holly or rowan tree could be grown, and then transplanted (see photos below).

My favourite hill - and the vulture Goddess freeze from Çatalhöyük

But If I could have my way, I’d like my death to be a ritual of excarnation, to have the raptors consume my flesh and pick my bones clean. Sadly, there are not really enough raptors around and I’m sure there’d be a health and safety outcry.