Many folks no longer wish to follow conventional or traditional lives. One of the easiest ways to see this change is in the way the family structure has changed so dramatically in the last several decades. While the family structures change, people also seek out more traditional ways in other aspects of life. People are now embracing those who craft anything from furniture to cheese as the high standard of value. People now use heirloom seeds, non-GMO products and even farm fresh eggs and milk. Perhaps our parents and grandparents valued industrialized products like Tang, but we look back to things that worked well in our communities and society as a whole before industrialized products became the paragon. People want a balance between the dramatic social changes and the traditional ways of life. The alternative death care industry took root in this milieu.
My hope has always been that the conventional industry would change or step aside to allow people the kind of ending they desire. The fact of the matter is that the conventional industry currently has enjoyed a certain level of privilege. They have a strong government lobby, and continue to influence states to change laws that only benefit themselves and not the citizenry. Once power and privilege becomes the norm, the shifting back of that power can prove to be quite difficult. The conventional death care industry sees the alternative industry as a threat. In truth it is a threat, a real threat. People do not want the government making laws that do not allow their bodies to be cared for by whom and in the manner of their choosing. The conventional industry would like things to remain the same as they have for the last fifty or so years. Change must come and it must come through education and action. It’s hard to turn back what looks seems like an ocean of power and establishment, but we can and must change the ways we care for the dead and dying. Many of us no longer wish to be kings and queens under the earth. We do not wish to pollute the earth with our bodies. We just want control over our lives and bodies in a gentle and dignified manner.
My hope has always been that the conventional industry would change or step aside to allow people the kind of ending they desire. The fact of the matter is that the conventional industry currently has enjoyed a certain level of privilege. They have a strong government lobby, and continue to influence states to change laws that only benefit themselves and not the citizenry. Once power and privilege becomes the norm, the shifting back of that power can prove to be quite difficult. The conventional death care industry sees the alternative industry as a threat. In truth it is a threat, a real threat. People do not want the government making laws that do not allow their bodies to be cared for by whom and in the manner of their choosing. The conventional industry would like things to remain the same as they have for the last fifty or so years. Change must come and it must come through education and action. It’s hard to turn back what looks seems like an ocean of power and establishment, but we can and must change the ways we care for the dead and dying. Many of us no longer wish to be kings and queens under the earth. We do not wish to pollute the earth with our bodies. We just want control over our lives and bodies in a gentle and dignified manner.
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