The interrogative of how to wish for a body postmortem is a weighty one , perhaps even more people in cities , where price are gamey and options are limited . As space shrinks , the trouble originate , and one Columbia University squad is working to develop solutions for New Yorkers , as well as theincreasingly urbanworld at large .
DeathLabis a research and excogitation group constitute of academics across discipline ( architects , scientists , theologians , etc . ) who forge together to grow pragmatic resolution to the problem of where to put the dead in metropolitan areas . Traditional American methods like embalmment and sepulture or cremation are bad for the environment , and the former is baffling as burial ground place dwindles . So DeathLab is developing ideas like Constellation Park : a concept in which human remains are used to power lanterns that would hang from the Big Apple ’s Manhattan Bridge .
If that vocalise a piddling unbelievable , permit ’s turn back . The idea at the essence of Constellation Park has to do with anaerobiotic digestion — a process in which microorganisms provender on a physical structure in the absence of oxygen . AsColumbia Magazinereports , this is helpful for pure disposal purpose , but also for its incredible byproduct : energy . vim that can theoretically be used to generate light .
The biomass energy could power light cod that would be suspended from the bridgework — a commodious way to incorporate the memorial sites into existing metropolis base , with platforms and walk to allow visitant . The remains will naturally decompose until they extinguish ( or are retrieved by loved ones ) and the pods would be replaced with newfangled remains .
DeathLab director Karla Rothstein toldColumbia Magazine : “ citizenry are so moved by the hypothesis that the clay of a eff one could make light . We do n’t lecture about death ; we do n’t imagine about it . But to find like your grief would be part of a larger community , and this soul whose life history is being honored remains part of this stick out constellation — it ’s something people react to really positively . ”
The mind is still far from becoming a world , and the collaborative is currently at work trying to create an constituent material to essay it . They are also simultaneously delving into other method of bodily disposal and remembrance , like “ Sylvan Constellation , ” which fuses a sort of traditional burying ground space with the organic vigour - power lights concept .
For more on DeathLab and Constellation Park , assure out theproject ’s website .
[ h / tColumbia Magazine ]
