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FUNERAL RITES OF THE EXOHUMANS IN THE GAMMA AGE
ExoHuman funeral rituals on VOI 700 D are deeply influenced by traditions established aboard the spaceship Last Frontier during the settlers' journey to the planet. These practices emphasize sustainability, resource efficiency, and the cyclical nature of existence.
Funeral rituals in the Habitual Belt
In the settlements of the Habitual Belt — New Kourou, Hope, and Morningstar — funeral rituals closely mirror those practiced aboard the Last Frontier.
Process Overview:
- Preparation of the body: The body is wrapped in a biodegradable shroud painted with natural dyes and adorned with herbs and flowers to accelerate decomposition and mask odors. This step is carried out by a Federal Mortician.
- The Composting Ceremony: The body is placed in a compost bin filled with green and brown materials like plant waste and straw. During the ceremony, the community gathers to pay respects, share memories, and symbolically escort the deceased into their new form.
- The reuse of the compost: After several months, the composted remains are distributed within the community. This enriched soil is often used to fertilize plants and trees planted in memory of the deceased, symbolizing the transformation of death into new life.
This process underscores the interconnectedness of life and death, reinforcing the community's ecological and philosophical principles.
The Symbol of the White Sun Paper in Habitual Belt Funerals
A distinctive element of Habitual Belt funerals is the use of the White Sun, a biodegradable paper symbol cut into the shape of a sun. Worn near the heart during the ceremony, it represents untapped potential, the cycle of renewal, and alignment with sustainability.
Symbolism:
- The blank paper signifies life's unwritten potential.
- The sun shape reflects the cyclical nature of life and death.
- Its biodegradability emphasizes the community’s ecological values.
At the ceremony's conclusion, the White Sun is placed in the compost bin with the deceased, eventually contributing to the fertile soil that sustains new life.
Funeral rituals on the Dark Side
In Firetown, located in the Ralar Region on the Dark Side, funerary practices revolve around the volcanic activity of Ralar. These rituals reflect the unique environmental conditions and resource constraints of the region.
- The Preparation: When a Dark Side resident dies, their body is wrapped in a shroud embroidered with special signs and symbols representing the life and character of the deceased. The body is then placed on a bier specially designed for this purpose.
- The procession: The funeral procession usually begins in the community where the deceased lived and leads to the Ralar volcano. This processional route is often lit by torches, and participants sing traditional funeral songs. The body is carried on the way to the volcano by the closest family members and friends.
- The funeral: Upon arrival at the volcano, the body is placed on a specially constructed platform that extends over the lava. Here, on the rim of the volcano crater, the Federal Mortician leads a final ceremony. After the ceremony is complete, the platform is tilted, and the body slides into the molten lava of the volcano. Participants watch as the body disappears into the glowing lava and turns to ash, symbolizing the return of the deceased to the earth and the continuation of the life cycle. As part of the farewell, family and friends place a volcanic stone on a designated memorial platform near the funeral site. These stones serve as a tribute to their lost loved ones, providing a tangible space for grief and remembrance. Many personalize the stones with individual notes, drawings, or symbols, reflecting their connection to the deceased and offering a deeply personal touch to the ritual.
Related Pages and Further Information
Funeral Homes within the Federal Confederation:
- Funeral Home of Hope