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. Due to strict resource management under the Federal Confederation, burial practices focus on recycling organic matter in the Habitual Belt and volcanic cremation in the Ralar Region on the Dark Side.

While funerals serve as moments of mourning and remembrance, they also reinforce the Communard ideals of ecological harmony, practical efficiency, and collective unity. In contrast, the Dark Side’s funeral practices reflect a more personal and symbolic approach, shaped by the region’s extreme conditions and cultural independence.

In the settlements of the Asari Region in the Habitual Belt — New Kourou, Hope, and Morningstar — funeral rituals closely mirror those practiced aboard the Last Frontier, where waste was minimized, and organic matter was repurposed to sustain life.

Process Overview:

• Preparation of the body: The deceased is wrapped in a biodegradable shroud painted with natural dyes and adorned with herbs and flowers to accelerate decomposition and mask odors. A Federal Mortician oversees this step, ensuring adherence to hygiene regulations.

• The Composting Ceremony: The body is placed in a compost bin filled with plant waste and straw to facilitate decomposition. The community gathers for a farewell ceremony, where mourners share memories and symbolically escort the deceased into their new form.

• Reintegration into the Community After several months, the composted remains are distributed for fertilizing community gardens and forests. Many settlements plant trees or crops in honor of the deceased, ensuring that every individual contributes to future growth even after death.

This process underscores the interconnectedness of life and death, reinforcing the ecological philosophy of the Federal Confederation.

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.

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.

• Overview Gamma Age
• The exohuman way of life in the Gamma Age
• Federal Confederation
• Last Frontier

Funeral Homes within the Federal Confederation:

• Funeral Home of New Kourou
• Funeral Home of Firetown
• Funeral Home of Hope
• Funeral Home of Morningstar