Is it the final act of arrogance to have a burial plot/grave?

Question

I can think of nothing more arrogant, and self-centered, than to want to take up a piece of real estate....FOREVER!
I GET TO STAY HERE FOREVER!
When you are gone, you are gone.
Is land for the living not as important as land for the dead?
I would like to be fed to animals, so my death could support some kind of life.
Many in my family have died, and I see no benefit of a grave. Sure, I miss them, but they are gone.

Answer 1

When you finally get that 6 feet of earth, I think you've gone well past any notions of arrogance. Burying the dead in a place of honor is a tradition that spans the centuries and the cultures. Your departure from this kind of sentiment is well received, though. But, you can do us all a favor by leaping from something high. Like the Sears Tower. We'll mop you up with Bounty. The quicker picker upper!

Answer 2

I don't see any benefit in a burial plot either, but can certainly appreciate other viewpoints.

Some feel including myself that the grave is a temporary resting place for the physical body until the resurrection. The physical body is an important part of our eternal progression and is worthy of being treated with respect. Some people feel a grave is more respectful than other choices (e.g., cremation).

In addition, some people feel closer to their ancestors if there is a grave to visit. When it comes to family and death, there are many tender feelings we should respect and not criticize.

Answer 3

I see it differently. Every life has meaning and value, and I feel that everyone deserves some tribute, however small, to their having been on this planet. This is why I work to preserve old cemeteries and take records of them. What could be sadder and more pathetic than an unmarked grave? An unmarked grave doesn't exactly speak well of the relatives and friends of the deceased, but instead reveals them to be too uncaring and miserly to even provide a simple marker. And with the rise of the popularity of cremation, the dead don't have to take up all that much space anymore.

Answer 4

I agree. Cemeteries are the second biggest waste of real estate (after golf courses). My family is also occupying cemetery plots, but very small ones, since they were all cremated and the urns buried. I would much rather see mausoleums built, with several floors, occupying relatively small areas of land. You could place a lot of urns, or even full-sized caskets, in a building the size of a five story office building. And think of the money saved on grounds-keeping, not to mention the energy saved not having to mow the grass on a 300 acre cemetery. Needless to say, you wouldn't have to keep a mausoleum building heated, either. We could then have those vast tracts of land presently occupied by the dead turned into land for moderate-income housing.
Oh, well. I can dream, can't I?

Answer 5

When you're buried your death DOES support some kinds of life: all the worms, bacteria, and fungi that decompose you.

Anyway, no, I don't think it's arrogant, just tradition. And the original idea was, basically, just to do something more dignified for the dead person than dumping them in the woods like garbage.

Answer 6

It's not arrogance it is custom and people now have more options so custom is now changing somewhat. There are some like my parents who cannot fathom cremation because it was not part of the social norm when they were children and cannot think to have that done. However, younger generation like myself, consider other options than burial.

Answer 7

I'm not sure it's arrogance as much as tradition now. I personally agree that there is no benefit to a grave. That's why I'm going to be cremated.

Answer 8

just because someone has a grave doesn't mean they have to put their body in it, and not it is something to do with the body once it is gone i dont want to be burned or given to an animal that is jus sick

Answer 9

it comes from the idea of self preservation and waiting for a miracle of ressurection one day

same as planting a seed in earth to come back

both are pagan ideals

Answer 10

Interesting theory. I think its more out of custom, however. But you do have the choice to have your body disposed of as you wish, within the laws, of course.