I don't understand this idea of visiting graves. People will talk to the deceased, or bring flowers, or just pray. And I can understand in a way the idea that it makes them feel closer to the person. But it still seems strange to me. There is no one there. It's just a headstone. I remember my mother once expressing concern that no one would come to visit her after she's gone. This confused me as well. We're surely not going to forget her. She will always live in our hearts. But I'm not traveling 1000 miles to visit a grave. She was right about that. Even if you believe in heaven, did she expect her spirit to hang around the grave waiting for people to visit? I was thinking about this the other night and also wondered how much land is dedicated to cemeteries. It seems like such a waste. I did a little checking and found this is a growing issue. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31837964 One article stated that you can bury about 1000 people on one acre of land. We have about 300 million people. So we need 300,000 acres, or a little under 470 square miles, just to bury everyone alive in the US today. Soylent Green anyone?
Just plant trees in the cemetery, most cities lack of green spaces, combine both. Burning bodies pollute a lot too. And when people are decomposed enough, you can do funny things.
Years ago people used to have lunch at Trinity Church's graveyard where there is ample space to sit and to consume your repast. Folks have been known to chat with or to get inspiration from Alexander Hamilton who is buried there along with many of the City's Fathers.
I don't actually know anyone with a grave, they've all been cremated. I have an uncle who's last wish was to have his ashes put in a bottle and thrown into the pacific with a note that reads, "Haha you just got a dead person on you". He's out there somewhere floating around.
I wish I could have my dead body dumped out in a wilderness somewhere so the coyotes and buzzards could return it to nature whence it came.
It eventually gets there anyways. When I die I want my ashes spread around every Disneyland park there is, by one of their big trees. That way I will become part of the tree and everyday I will get to experience happiness from thousands of people.