Network - 06

[graveyounglady]

Who: Mercy Graves
Username: mercyme
Warnings: discussion of death, death rites, burial, religion (both real world and fantasy)
What: Mercy asks about the burial rites and preferences of people from other worlds to help ensure their bodies and souls are taken care of as they would like if they die.

To the Gentlefolk of Other Worlds,

We ring in this new year with sad tidings, indeed. Another of our number has fallen, Mr. George Milton. He was a good and kind man possessed of strong morals and the sort of community spirit I find myself aspiring to. His loss is another wound upon the soul of our own community, one that still bears the scar of Garner Cinderbrooke's loss, and the loss of every soul who has disappeared since our arrival in this new world.

In my own world, much of my life has been spent tending the graves of those who have passed on, some in violence, some with the peace of sunlight, friends, and family surrounding them. The religions of my world have set ways to honor the dead and see they're tended to. My people follow Brother Earth, one who tends to all lost souls that may come to his embrace. But my family arranged and performed rites for other peoples. Those who bend their heads to the Blind Mother, mostly.

I know their rites. I know how to honor them.

I do not know how George Milton would have wished to be honored. We can only guess. I would beseech you, friends, make a record here and now. Should the worst befall you in these uncertain times, how would you see yourself honored? What prayers or rituals would you see performed to please your god or your soul, as you believe it to be, free of gods. Life must always end, and it is important to contemplate what that end would look like for you.

For my part, the Sradan people prepare a body for burial, ensuring the body will not rot or spread disease, and allow it to lie for one day while a celebration is held at the plot where they are to spend the Long Rest. We commemorate their life, share stories of them, and thank those in the graves nearby for their neighborly spirit. The one who has died is placed within a simple wooden casket of the most modest design and materials--whatever is to hand--and buried. The next day is for quiet mourning and deep, intimate conversation with the grave for those who need it.

And that is our way. Please, friends, tell me what is yours.

May the Light of Pelor Guide You,
Mercy Graves

Comments

text; un: trashmammal

[demaelition]

I'm sorry your friends died, George seemed cool.

What's wrong with doing what you just talked about for his body? That sounds pretty nice.

[graveyounglady]

There is nothing wrong with it. I simply worry it is not the way of George's people. We did not speak of such things when he walked with us. It is also past the point that we might do this to the letter. The celebrations could still be held, perhaps?

[demaelition]

I mean that's probably fine, as long as he's not being forgotten or not cared about, right?
The body doesn't have to be everything.

text, un: hickey

[friendsfordinner]

Bastard was my flatmate.
I'll be there.

[graveyounglady]

Forgive me. I had not meant to imply I would make such arrangements. I can do so in some measure. His body is not available for things, but we could still mark his death in the manner of my people. I only worry it is not in accordance with his god.

[friendsfordinner]

We never talked religion but I'm assuming he's Christian?
He seemed like his world was closer to mine than his.
With that when people die, there's usually a service before they bury the body. They'll say some form of Scripture at the service but hell if I know what the actual passages are.
But no, feel free to make arrangements. You'd be better at that sort of thing that I am anyway.

text; un: wakes

[rarelybecome]

sorry for the loss, i mean it, i never knew your friend but it's a rotten fucking thing to lose one of your own in a place like this

as for me don't fuss about the rites -- all respect but without my people there it wouldn't mean much

but if you care like you say you do you'll promise me here and now that whatever's left of me you'll fucking burn if it comes to that, and i mean to carbon, i mean if you can find one shard of bone remaining you're not finished yet

any personal gear that will burn or melt goes right along with me

and see to it someone knows my name and that i died first of betrayal at the liminal edge of the murdered system of my natal sun, and second however the fuck it happened to me here

awake remembrance of these valiant dead kia hua ko te pai snap back to reality oops there goes gravity

[graveyounglady]

As it was written, so it will be. Let your body and those things that clothed it be burned to embers and scattered to the winds. I am no bard, but those parts of your story will be known, Awake Remembrance of These Valiant Dead Kia Hua Ko Te Pai Snap Back to Reality Oops There Goes Gravity.

To die twice, though? That is a strange and unnatural thing. But I have found that there is much here that is unnatural.

[rarelybecome]

pretty fucking wild even by my own high standards

but i'll go on a wild limb here and say i wasn't going to pull through what i got my wretched ass into before i dropped through the atmo here instead

and given that was a death damn well intended for me i'll have it counted

[ there is a break between this message and the next; a not-insignificant amount of time passes in the interim. ]

if there's no damn other thing to be done i owe them that

[ another pause. ]

cheers, though. genuinely. means something. you're a nice kid.

text; un: cupkate

[bossyboiler]

Not George. How?

[graveyounglady]

The attack on the church, from my understanding. He died rescuing others, so that is one small thing to be grateful for. There is a part of me that would trade those saved for him, though. It is selfish.

[bossyboiler]

He went out a hero. I'm going to miss him.

We should have some kind of service for him.

Text: un a.jaeger

[bloodalwaystells]

I think you have a very pleasant and respectful view of funeral rites, and I think there are few who would be at odds with it. It's sometimes hard to know what one's wishes are, but peace, respect, and remembrance are good, universal sentiments.

In my world, there is often a viewing before the burial, a last chance to speak with the deceased and say your goodbyes. Sometimes, there's a religious service with prayers, then the entire procession goes to the cemetery. Kind words and wishes for the soul are said, then the deceased is buried. Often with flowers.

Afterward, there might be a meal and drinks and a chance to share stories. This tends to be solemn, but can also be a celebration of a life lived. It varies from culture to culture.

For my own arrangements, I don't ask for much. I would like for my final rites to be a comfort to those who knew me...but all I really want for myself is a proper burial and a few words. Drinks for my friends afterward to remember me by, and the knowledge that I am at rest and have no regrets.

[graveyounglady]

As it was written, so it will be. Let your body be buried with kind words and a celebration of your life, something filled with peace and free of regret at the end.

[Mercy takes a moment to think as she adds a little more.]

I am glad my own people's rites are agreeable. The Blind Mother's followers have more elaborate ceremonies that would take much preparation for the richest amongst the flock.

[bloodalwaystells]

Thank you, Mercy. It's not an easy topic to discuss for most people, but it's a reasonable part of adulthood to make your wishes known.

Especially in a dangerous line of work like this.

[That's two friends he's seen buried in only three months. Too many, and that's not counting the disappearances...he can hope they have a better fate, but there's no certainty, there.]

Wealth, status, and faith all affect burials in my world as well. I'm not one for extravagant displays, but the rich and powerful often have funerals far beyond what most of us manage. Elaborate, showy. Often following strict rules, for those deeply involved in their faith. Or royalty.

It's never been a draw for me, but it brings comfort to some, I suppose. To be mourned by many, and to have one last grand event on the way out.

Text, un: Chosewell

[failedpromise]

Dammit!

He left a will, didn't he? It should specify what he wants done in there.

As for me, AI don't have burial rites. There usually isn't a body left behind to bury.

[graveyounglady]

[Someone has not opened her letter, yet; though, she has received the tools. Seeing something written had seemed too hard. But with Cortana's questions, Mercy does turn her attention to it. There's a few minutes before she responds.]

I had not read his letter. Oh, Brother! What a cowardly fool I am. He has already had his ashes sent to Wolf Pen to be scattered in the holler where he thought up our strategy to fight the Desolation and its acolytes and allies in the mine. He has asked that some words be spoken in his name. Little more. I can give him as much, certainly.

But for yourself, even if there is no body, surely you might have thoughts to what you wish to be known of you or done in your honor. You have lived and you have died. Both things should be celebrated.

text; un: jelica

[musicdied]

He'll be missed. He was one of the best of us.

When I die, cremate me, and scatter the ashes. I want to know my body isn't going to get up again and do something stupid and horrifying. Anything beyond that is for the living.

[graveyounglady]

As it was written, so it will be. Let your body be burned to embers and scatter your ashes to the winds. We are formed from the earth, and so we will return to it.

The ceremonies we have are not just for the living, though. Do you not believe in the soul and its echoes beyond the grave?

un: rue

[ruevealing]

Oh, my dear friend. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm certain his presence will be dearly missed.

Pray, if you need assistance with the burial arrangements, know that I am always available to help. Those grieving should not have to deal with such matters. I am happy to take whatever burden has fallen onto your shoulders, little one.

As for your question, I find myself most puzzled. For faeries, true death is a very rare occurrence, but it does happen. And still, I could not begin to name any burial rites or ceremonies that my court has ever performed. We spend so much time in celebration of life and marriage and of the natural ebb and flow of our magic, but not death. There, grief is meant to be a more private affair. I've never once thought to question it.

[graveyounglady]

I have only just read through the letter he left me with his tools. I regret I did not have the courage to look sooner. What a foolish girl. He is ash now, taken to a place called Wolf Pen to be scattered in a holler, a quiet place that he helped to save from the worst the Entities have thrown at us yet. He has asked for kind words and nothing more for his arrangements. This, I can manage. I shall do so, as best I can gather them together.

If you have no rites to your court, perhaps... is there anything you have seen outside of it that you would like to emulate? Or what are the celebrations for the ebb of your magic? For a death would be the deepest trough for it, perhaps?

un: Pegasus

[ferriswheelsandfootball]

I'm real sorry for your loss, Mercy.

I wear dog tags--they're a necklace with two pieces of metal with identifying information on them. Dog tags usually will survive almost anything that could happen to me. I'd like them to go to Rodney McKay, if possible.

Other than that, I don't really care what happens to my body. If someone could get word back to my world about what happened to me, I would like that, to give them some closure, at least. I know that's a long shot considering we don't even know how to get back home, but you never know.

[graveyounglady]

As it was written, so it will be. Let the metal that adorns your body pass to Rodney McKay and send word to your people at home when possible. However long it takes, I expect there are those who will never stop searching for a way home. I confess, dark thoughts about that have plagued my mind from all directions. If I cannot take those I love here with me, then I will lose them. If I remain here forever, then the ones I love at home will be lost and never know my fate. It is a difficult thing.

text; un: pierson

[easilyamused]

I'm sorry for your loss, Mercy. Both of them.

I don't plan on dying here, but if I do, no autopsy, no embalming. Just a wooden box and a quiet grave. Have a few drinks in my name, if it suits you.

[graveyounglady]

As it was written, so it will be. Let your body be kept without instrument or ether and placed within a quiet place, encased in simple pine. We will toast to your name upon the burial.

Such a simple thing for you. May I ask why you would not have your body preserved?