This was all fascinating stuff – the article as well as reading everybody’s thoughts and questions. Sorry–I but not wanting to be buried in a casket because of “claustrophobia” is one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard. Actually, I’m not sorry at all, that is absolutely ridiculous. I feel sorryforffor display and I was trying to find out how long that might take. foror for those who want to cling to this life as a “preserved” body for a couple of years when you’re gonna end up as DUST anyway. You must not have any hope of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven if you think of some moldy old bones – especially your OWN! as still being a person, and I think that’s sad. I also suspect these people fixated on “preserving” the body aren’t organ donors, and that’s not sad, it’s deplorable. Burying to ROT what could give life to several different people is one of the most selfish things I can think of. People and children dying because somebody chose to say, nope, not yours! and proceed to put a pair of lungs in a hole in the dirt is awful. A couple more things: Mr. Slocum, you might be interested to know how I found myself on this thread. I was reading about the giant oarfish they just found (google it, it’s amazing!) and the article said they are going to bury it in the ground until it’s decomposed and then reconstitute the skeleton