Static Ceremonies

1C. Primary Research – Morgan Tallack – 12932176

(Ross, 2018)

I went to visit my grandma and grandads final resting place. A beautiful cemetery overlooking the cascading hills in the dry countryside of Camden. Today marked the anniversary of my grandfathers death, so I thought I’d accompany my mum as she went to pay her respects. As we cleaned the granite headstone, I noticed a man who was digging a new plot a few columns down. Although this was a time of reflection, I started thinking about the ceremony of death and how this ritual hasn’t been drastically effected or changed with our technological advances. 

The gravedigger was called David, and works in the cemetery “regularly”. He has been in the industry for over 25 years and was an interesting subject to inform me on the changes that he’s seen over his time working around death. I asked David how technological advances has effective the industry of death. David felt that technology hasn’t changed drastically. “I haven’t noticed a direct change over the past two decades. Mainly the equipment I use. But nothing else”. 

Prior to my visit at the cemetery this sunny Monday, I had read an ABC (2010) article which spoke about a Brisbane cemetery making virtual visits a possibility by publishing images of gravesites online. I asked David if he was aware of such options and how he felt about them. “I feel that it’s a bit disrespectful. Maybe thats why we haven’t changed the ceremonies attached to death”. David brought up a good point, maybe our innate respect associated with laying one to rest, prevents the industry from adapting to technological change. 

Plots for your final resting place is dramatically increasing in price. This comes as the housing crisis hits an all time high (Ross, 2018). If land is so precious and will only become more precious as we propel into the future, will burials have to change too? David believes that when laying one to rest, we occupy a lot of space and have to think of sections and framework that goes into each individual are and their neighbouring plot. “I always wondering [beg my pardon if this comes across strange]” said David, “but I feel that tunnelling into the ground and placing the coffin as if it’s standing would be a much better alternative and save a lot of space. We could have circular tombstones or even spherical if you want to get fancy”. 

After speaking with David about the housing crisis, the need for more space and technological advances, I can see how little the death industry changes. I wonder if our inherent respect for the deceased prevents us from adapting to the rise of such issues. The interview conducted with David made me reconsider whether the more digitised we become, the less we care about our physical embodiment. 

Ross, D. (2018). The most expensive land in Australia might be graves, here’s the problem. [online] Domain. Available at: https://www.domain.com.au/money-markets/the-most-expensive-land-in-australia-might-be-graves-heres-the-problem-20180627-h11wzp-441795/ [Accessed 15 Sep. 2018].

Straker, L. (2010). Virtually visiting gravesites. [online] ABC. Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/08/30/2997045.htm [Accessed 15 Sep. 2018].