Barbara J. Hamby

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How to be Green at the End of Life

Note: If you are squeamish about death, or think it is an inappropriate subject for levity, don’t read the following. Click on one of my travel pages instead.

An article in a recent issue of The New Yorker magazine disabused me of the notion that I was being environmentally noble by requesting to have my body cremated when I’m no longer using it. The writer pointed out that fuel is used for burning and particles are emitted into the air, further polluting it.

Since I definitely don’t want to occupy premium view property, where most cemeteries are located, what is my alternative? Perhaps I can leave my body to medical science, with the stipulation that any remaining portions should be fed to wild animals. Of course, transporting the parts to animals must be done in an environmentally friendly manner. I suppose another option would be to grind up the bones for fertilizer.

On a similarly gruesome vein, I read today that a publisher has just agreed to publish a new book about Baby Boomers. The premise reportedly is that Baby Boomers should commit suicide at retirement age to save Social Security. Isn’t that special? As you may have guessed, I’m the mother of two baby boomers.

Tomorrow I will be much more cheerful, I promise.