Q: Memorial cerimony involving cremains...

Elemental666 · Post by **Elemental666** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 3:46 am

Hello all,

This will be my first year on the playa. I have planned several times to go with my best friend and something always came up. Well, it turns out I don't really have a choice this year as said best friend passed earlier this month. BM was a huge part of who he was both on and off the playa and there are a great many friends and loved ones he met at BM. His family has asked me to do something at BM this year to honor his memory. I fully agree. My question is about scattering his remains on the playa. I would not be bringing them all and all of what I bring would not be scattered, but it may be a fare amount. I have been unsuccesful in finding an answer via the info on the main site and searching the forums.

Please help me out, this is extrememyl important to me, his family and will be a great experience for his friends at the burn.

Thanks in advance,

-E

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 5:35 am

You could simply place his remains within the man before he burns. What we call the "best seat in the house." Another alternative would be to spread them on the face of one of the mountains that overlooks the Playa.

Elemental666 · Post by **Elemental666** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:10 am

Does this mean that it isn't ok to allow the remains to be scattered by the wind over the open playa?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 12:58 am

If you're asking whether the BLM allows dumping foreign material on the playa, the answer is no.

calsur · Post by **calsur** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 1:17 am

Elemental666

My motto is “Ask forgiveness, not permission.” Wait until one of the big dust devils hits you and send him on his way.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 6:44 am

Ever seen The Big Lebowski? Who wants to get a faceful of Donnie (a good bowler)?

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:26 am

My $.02:

Honestly, putting the remains with the man to be burned would probably be much more symbolic to your friend than scattering them.

Elemental666 wrote:Does this mean that it isn't ok to allow the remains to be scattered by the wind over the open playa?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:59 am

Ashes would probably qualify as MOOP (material out of place). The man or whatever iteration of the temple is encouraged for this sort of thing.

Rabbi Dali Rick · Post by **Rabbi Dali Rick** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:09 pm

I would agree with Dallas. Not to mention when people pick up the ashes and take them home as some do a little piece of our friend goes with them and in that lives on forever......

the rebbi

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:22 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:Ashes would probably qualify as MOOP (material out of place). The man or whatever iteration of the temple is encouraged for this sort of thing.

Your opinion, of course, in the absence of any official policy other than on litter and burning only what's burnable.

The OP might consider that after all the burners leave, DPW scoops the ashes of the Man in a dumpster, and it all ends up at whatever Nevada landfill where the waste contractor hauls the dumpster.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:30 pm

Dang. Well, I'm a scatterer at sea type myself, I think. I thought they were all picked up by burners looking for soovinears. Didn't think it through.

Elemental666 · Post by **Elemental666** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:19 pm

Thank you all for your comments, I think I have decided that the bulk will be added to a fire. Wether or not that is the man still remain to be seen. I was however looking for some sort of official ruling. Can anyone give me a email addy or something so I can discuss this through official channels?

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:36 pm

I work with the Burning Man janitorial department. You have my word that nobody will stop you if they don't see you doing it.

Elemental666 · Post by **Elemental666** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 11:06 pm

muchos gracias senior Bob