For generations, graves have been placed towards east. The tradition of burying the dead with their feet in the east and their head in the west has roots in many different civilizations and religions. Christianity holds that Christ rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion, and Mary Magdalene saw him rise when she was at his tomb. Since that time, Christians have buried their dead facing eastward so that they will awaken on the day of the resurrection and face the sun.
In a similar manner, tombs in Judaism are oriented east to west with the head directed toward Jerusalem. This is because the faith holds that when the Messiah arrives and enters the Temple Mount through the eastern entrance, the dead will be raised to life. The deceased will therefore be facing the proper way to see the arrival of the Messiah.
Graves are also positioned with the head toward the east in Hinduism. Aligning the grave in this manner is thought to enable the departed to experience the blessing and power of the sun, which is symbolized by the sun as a symbol of strength and the life-giving force.
Nowadays, cremation is a common substitute for burial. There are several ways to transfer a loved one’s ashes to an urn if you decide to cremate them. While other funeral homes enable you to do it yourself, some funeral homes offer a service where they transfer the ashes for you. You must handle the ashes carefully if you decide to do it yourself. Avoid spilling them and wear gloves because they are challenging to clean up.
Setting up your own cremation is conceivable, but you must adhere to specific legal criteria. You will be required to present identification, sign a cremation authorisation form, and receive a cremation permit from the local government. In order to make sure that the procedure is legal and secure, it is also advisable to speak with a funeral home or cremation service provider.
A funeral can be conducted without a church service. When the body is buried without a viewing or funeral service, it is referred to as a “direct burial.” There is no formal ceremony, however the nearest family members may be present.
David Bowie did undergo a direct cremation after he passed away. In 2016, after his death, his remains was cremated in New Jersey without the presence of any family members or friends. In accordance with his wishes, his ashes were dispersed.
In conclusion, there are many different cultures and religions that have contributed to the tradition of burying the dead with their heads facing the east. In accordance with the necessary legal criteria, you can arrange your own cremation, which is a popular alternative to burial. Without a church service, a burial can be carried out, and David Bowie did have a straight cremation.
Graves are normally six feet deep for historical and practical reasons. Six feet was thought to be the ideal depth—deep enough to keep animals from disturbing the body but shallow enough to stop the spread of illness. Furthermore, a normal grave could be excavated by hand without the use of large machinery at a depth of six feet.