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How would merfolk society dispose of their dead? And would disposing of the bodies in the ocean have any negative effect on marine life?
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I have a tribal merfolk society, living on and near a volcanic island, that is also inhabited by humans.
The problem that I can't seem to figure out is: how would they dispose of their dead?
Wouldn't sinking the bodies in waters around the island have negative effects on local marine life?
The humans dispose of their deads by burning them in the volcano. So I didn't want the merfolks to do the same.
Any thoughts?
death merfolk
edited 2 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.1k18149297
asked 3 hours ago
Asganius
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up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I have a tribal merfolk society, living on and near a volcanic island, that is also inhabited by humans.
The problem that I can't seem to figure out is: how would they dispose of their dead?
Wouldn't sinking the bodies in waters around the island have negative effects on local marine life?
The humans dispose of their deads by burning them in the volcano. So I didn't want the merfolks to do the same.
Any thoughts?
death merfolk
edited 2 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.1k18149297
asked 3 hours ago
Asganius
293
New contributor
Asganius is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I wouldn't think just sinking the bodies would have negative effects on marine life--they'd just merrily eat the bodies. It would be more of a negative effect on the merfolk, seeing their friends and family decompose in the open like that, I think.
– Hosch250
3 hours ago
1
Large fish die all the time to the great delight of smaller fish; are there any negative effects you are thinking of?
– Whelkaholism
3 hours ago
How magical is this world in general? How magical are the merfolk in particular?
– hszmv
3 hours ago
you have posted the same question yesterday, it was put on hold and now you have deleted it and reposted a new one without bothering about trying to edit the old one.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
FYI, i rewrote it, but whatever. So yeah i guess that the fish would appreciate the meal, but still there is the thing of seeing your buddies eaten by fish thing. I like the idea of the underwater graveyard or burial place thing. thanks
– Asganius
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I have a tribal merfolk society, living on and near a volcanic island, that is also inhabited by humans.
The problem that I can't seem to figure out is: how would they dispose of their dead?
Wouldn't sinking the bodies in waters around the island have negative effects on local marine life?
The humans dispose of their deads by burning them in the volcano. So I didn't want the merfolks to do the same.
Any thoughts?
death merfolk
edited 2 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.1k18149297
asked 3 hours ago
Asganius
293
New contributor
Asganius is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I have a tribal merfolk society, living on and near a volcanic island, that is also inhabited by humans.
The problem that I can't seem to figure out is: how would they dispose of their dead?
Wouldn't sinking the bodies in waters around the island have negative effects on local marine life?
The humans dispose of their deads by burning them in the volcano. So I didn't want the merfolks to do the same.
Any thoughts?
death merfolk
death merfolk
edited 2 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.1k18149297
asked 3 hours ago
Asganius
293
New contributor
Asganius is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.1k18149297
asked 3 hours ago
Asganius
293
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Asganius is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.1k18149297
edited 2 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.1k18149297
edited 2 hours ago
L.Dutch♦
63.1k18149297
63.1k18149297
asked 3 hours ago
Asganius
293
New contributor
Asganius is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
Asganius
293
asked 3 hours ago
Asganius
293
293
New contributor
Asganius is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Asganius is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Asganius is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I wouldn't think just sinking the bodies would have negative effects on marine life--they'd just merrily eat the bodies. It would be more of a negative effect on the merfolk, seeing their friends and family decompose in the open like that, I think.
– Hosch250
3 hours ago
1
Large fish die all the time to the great delight of smaller fish; are there any negative effects you are thinking of?
– Whelkaholism
3 hours ago
How magical is this world in general? How magical are the merfolk in particular?
– hszmv
3 hours ago
you have posted the same question yesterday, it was put on hold and now you have deleted it and reposted a new one without bothering about trying to edit the old one.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
FYI, i rewrote it, but whatever. So yeah i guess that the fish would appreciate the meal, but still there is the thing of seeing your buddies eaten by fish thing. I like the idea of the underwater graveyard or burial place thing. thanks
– Asganius
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
I wouldn't think just sinking the bodies would have negative effects on marine life--they'd just merrily eat the bodies. It would be more of a negative effect on the merfolk, seeing their friends and family decompose in the open like that, I think.
– Hosch250
3 hours ago
1
Large fish die all the time to the great delight of smaller fish; are there any negative effects you are thinking of?
– Whelkaholism
3 hours ago
How magical is this world in general? How magical are the merfolk in particular?
– hszmv
3 hours ago
you have posted the same question yesterday, it was put on hold and now you have deleted it and reposted a new one without bothering about trying to edit the old one.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
FYI, i rewrote it, but whatever. So yeah i guess that the fish would appreciate the meal, but still there is the thing of seeing your buddies eaten by fish thing. I like the idea of the underwater graveyard or burial place thing. thanks
– Asganius
1 hour ago
I wouldn't think just sinking the bodies would have negative effects on marine life--they'd just merrily eat the bodies. It would be more of a negative effect on the merfolk, seeing their friends and family decompose in the open like that, I think.
– Hosch250
3 hours ago
I wouldn't think just sinking the bodies would have negative effects on marine life--they'd just merrily eat the bodies. It would be more of a negative effect on the merfolk, seeing their friends and family decompose in the open like that, I think.
– Hosch250
3 hours ago
1
1
Large fish die all the time to the great delight of smaller fish; are there any negative effects you are thinking of?
– Whelkaholism
3 hours ago
Large fish die all the time to the great delight of smaller fish; are there any negative effects you are thinking of?
– Whelkaholism
3 hours ago
How magical is this world in general? How magical are the merfolk in particular?
– hszmv
3 hours ago
How magical is this world in general? How magical are the merfolk in particular?
– hszmv
3 hours ago
you have posted the same question yesterday, it was put on hold and now you have deleted it and reposted a new one without bothering about trying to edit the old one.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
you have posted the same question yesterday, it was put on hold and now you have deleted it and reposted a new one without bothering about trying to edit the old one.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
FYI, i rewrote it, but whatever. So yeah i guess that the fish would appreciate the meal, but still there is the thing of seeing your buddies eaten by fish thing. I like the idea of the underwater graveyard or burial place thing. thanks
– Asganius
1 hour ago
FYI, i rewrote it, but whatever. So yeah i guess that the fish would appreciate the meal, but still there is the thing of seeing your buddies eaten by fish thing. I like the idea of the underwater graveyard or burial place thing. thanks
– Asganius
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
If you really want a parallel, your dead merfolk could be more rapidly decomposed by 'burying' them in deep geothermal vents. As your island is volcanic, it isn't much of a stretch to imagine a fault line/trench with geothermal activity somewhere in the general vicinity. This will at least deal with having corpses of your family floating around the general area and could give some plot lines since the humans and merfolk both observe similar reverences for their dead, in the same volcano/fault.
answered 2 hours ago
ColonelPanic
1,47919
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up vote
1
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Crypt.
source
On the island is an ancient building which the merfolk now use as a crypt. It was not built by the humans who live there now, nor was it built by the merfolk; its builders are long gone and it is not known what manner of beings they were, why they built or what it was originally for. It may have originally been completely underwater, and was uplifted with the volcano.
The humans fear it and stay away. That suits the merfolk, and the fact that it is accessable by sea suits them as well.
It is much larger than the merfolk need; even though hundred of merfolk
remains now line the walls there are still large unused areas and even unexplored areas - the structure extends above and below ground, and also below sea level in many places.
answered 1 hour ago
Willk
87.4k22171375
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up vote
1
down vote
Burial at land
Surface dwellers (i.e. Humans) long believed in Underworlds of a sort. Inside the bowels of the Earth were a mysterious place, one potentially inhabited by gods or monsters. The dead were often associated with the Underworld, an associate that lead to widespread burial customs.
For merfolk, the obvious 'other world' is the surface. Honored dead can be taken out of the life giving ocean, and placed in the surface world, with which the afterlife is traditionally associated. After all, what merperson knows about the goings on in the mountains and forests of the surface land?
Bodies are prepared ritually taken onto the shore, and placed in restful positions. Sure, we humans may know that the fate of those bodies is to be devoured by scavengers, but it isn't like we go digging up our own dead to see what happened to them (at least, not very often) and even the ancients knew that a buried body was eventually worm food.
Merfolk never go onto dry land, except for these burial ceremonies, so they just don't think very much about what happens to the bodies once they are deposited.
answered 1 hour ago
kingledion
65.8k22210371
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Why dispose of them? Life under the sea is difficult. Acquiring enough nutrients to survive is always done at great difficulty. It's not like they can plant their food like humans do. They must constantly hunt fish, scavenge or gather whatever they can, and, occasionally, trade with the humans nearby.
Therefore, when one of them tragically dies, they don't get rid of the body. It's not only a great waste, it can also attract predators. So, instead, they honor their dear departed by fully consuming the body, in a ritualistic meal in which they celebrate the life of the deceased, and all the sacrifices he made for the community.
The humans may be squeamish about it, but what do they know? Why, they throw their honored dead into the fire, the barbarians!
answered 3 hours ago
Sycrus
94
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Sycrus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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FYI, plants grow also under water. Just look at the Nori used by Japanese, or Posidonia Oceanica.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
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Underwater Bone Graveyard
The corpse is dragged by familiars to a specific place (graveyard) where small animals or fishes quickly eat the flesh, but preserving the squeleton, that is placed with the others.
answered 2 hours ago
Onofre Pouplana
56438
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Burial at sea is an actual thing in the real world. It has been practiced by humans for millenia. Most of the major religions, whose foundations date back from centuries to millenia, have their methods and rites for it. For example, from the wiki above:
Protestantism
The Anglican Communion has detailed procedures for burial at sea. The ship has to be stopped, and the body has to be sewn in canvas, suitably weighted. Anglican (and other) chaplains of the Royal Navy bury cremated remains of ex-Naval personnel at sea. Scattering of cremated remains is discouraged, not least for practical reason.
In the Book of Common Prayer (1928) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA), a member of the Anglican Communion provides a specific prayer of committal for burials at sea.
Countries have their own codes for it as well. Also from the wiki above:
United States
A funeral director is not required for the burial of cremated remains at sea. However, full body burials require specific preparation to ensure the body or coffin sinks quickly, and in many states a licensed funeral director is required. The Environmental Protection Agency regulations for full body burials at sea in the United States require that the site of interment be 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) from land and at a depth of at least 600 feet (180 m). California prohibits whole body burial within its state-asserted three-mile limit...
Your merfolk could take a page from humans and do something similar.
The seas have their own scavenging animals, so any corpse will be devoured and the nutrients will go back to the ecosystem. As long as they dispose of the bodies far enough from the island, and maybe tied to - or sacked along - some stones to weight down the corpse, the dead should not end up washing ashore.
Edit: for anyone who thinks a burial at sea could not be effective: it would be the underwater equivalent of a zoroastrian funeral.
answered 3 hours ago
Renan
33.2k773169
1
burial at sea for murfolk is like dumping on intersection of Main and 5th Street for us. "The seagulls and rats just eat it, don't worry"
– Andrey
2 hours ago
I mean...that just leaves the bodies floating around. Pretty much all human societies had some form of respect for the dead; I'd assume the merfolk did as well.
– kingledion
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
If you really want a parallel, your dead merfolk could be more rapidly decomposed by 'burying' them in deep geothermal vents. As your island is volcanic, it isn't much of a stretch to imagine a fault line/trench with geothermal activity somewhere in the general vicinity. This will at least deal with having corpses of your family floating around the general area and could give some plot lines since the humans and merfolk both observe similar reverences for their dead, in the same volcano/fault.
answered 2 hours ago
ColonelPanic
1,47919
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If you really want a parallel, your dead merfolk could be more rapidly decomposed by 'burying' them in deep geothermal vents. As your island is volcanic, it isn't much of a stretch to imagine a fault line/trench with geothermal activity somewhere in the general vicinity. This will at least deal with having corpses of your family floating around the general area and could give some plot lines since the humans and merfolk both observe similar reverences for their dead, in the same volcano/fault.
answered 2 hours ago
ColonelPanic
1,47919
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
If you really want a parallel, your dead merfolk could be more rapidly decomposed by 'burying' them in deep geothermal vents. As your island is volcanic, it isn't much of a stretch to imagine a fault line/trench with geothermal activity somewhere in the general vicinity. This will at least deal with having corpses of your family floating around the general area and could give some plot lines since the humans and merfolk both observe similar reverences for their dead, in the same volcano/fault.
answered 2 hours ago
ColonelPanic
1,47919
If you really want a parallel, your dead merfolk could be more rapidly decomposed by 'burying' them in deep geothermal vents. As your island is volcanic, it isn't much of a stretch to imagine a fault line/trench with geothermal activity somewhere in the general vicinity. This will at least deal with having corpses of your family floating around the general area and could give some plot lines since the humans and merfolk both observe similar reverences for their dead, in the same volcano/fault.
answered 2 hours ago
ColonelPanic
1,47919
answered 2 hours ago
ColonelPanic
1,47919
answered 2 hours ago
ColonelPanic
1,47919
answered 2 hours ago
ColonelPanic
1,47919
1,47919
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Crypt.
source
On the island is an ancient building which the merfolk now use as a crypt. It was not built by the humans who live there now, nor was it built by the merfolk; its builders are long gone and it is not known what manner of beings they were, why they built or what it was originally for. It may have originally been completely underwater, and was uplifted with the volcano.
The humans fear it and stay away. That suits the merfolk, and the fact that it is accessable by sea suits them as well.
It is much larger than the merfolk need; even though hundred of merfolk
remains now line the walls there are still large unused areas and even unexplored areas - the structure extends above and below ground, and also below sea level in many places.
answered 1 hour ago
Willk
87.4k22171375
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Crypt.
source
On the island is an ancient building which the merfolk now use as a crypt. It was not built by the humans who live there now, nor was it built by the merfolk; its builders are long gone and it is not known what manner of beings they were, why they built or what it was originally for. It may have originally been completely underwater, and was uplifted with the volcano.
The humans fear it and stay away. That suits the merfolk, and the fact that it is accessable by sea suits them as well.
It is much larger than the merfolk need; even though hundred of merfolk
remains now line the walls there are still large unused areas and even unexplored areas - the structure extends above and below ground, and also below sea level in many places.
answered 1 hour ago
Willk
87.4k22171375
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Crypt.
source
On the island is an ancient building which the merfolk now use as a crypt. It was not built by the humans who live there now, nor was it built by the merfolk; its builders are long gone and it is not known what manner of beings they were, why they built or what it was originally for. It may have originally been completely underwater, and was uplifted with the volcano.
The humans fear it and stay away. That suits the merfolk, and the fact that it is accessable by sea suits them as well.
It is much larger than the merfolk need; even though hundred of merfolk
remains now line the walls there are still large unused areas and even unexplored areas - the structure extends above and below ground, and also below sea level in many places.
answered 1 hour ago
Willk
87.4k22171375
Crypt.
source
On the island is an ancient building which the merfolk now use as a crypt. It was not built by the humans who live there now, nor was it built by the merfolk; its builders are long gone and it is not known what manner of beings they were, why they built or what it was originally for. It may have originally been completely underwater, and was uplifted with the volcano.
The humans fear it and stay away. That suits the merfolk, and the fact that it is accessable by sea suits them as well.
It is much larger than the merfolk need; even though hundred of merfolk
remains now line the walls there are still large unused areas and even unexplored areas - the structure extends above and below ground, and also below sea level in many places.
answered 1 hour ago
Willk
87.4k22171375
answered 1 hour ago
Willk
87.4k22171375
answered 1 hour ago
Willk
87.4k22171375
answered 1 hour ago
Willk
87.4k22171375
87.4k22171375
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Burial at land
Surface dwellers (i.e. Humans) long believed in Underworlds of a sort. Inside the bowels of the Earth were a mysterious place, one potentially inhabited by gods or monsters. The dead were often associated with the Underworld, an associate that lead to widespread burial customs.
For merfolk, the obvious 'other world' is the surface. Honored dead can be taken out of the life giving ocean, and placed in the surface world, with which the afterlife is traditionally associated. After all, what merperson knows about the goings on in the mountains and forests of the surface land?
Bodies are prepared ritually taken onto the shore, and placed in restful positions. Sure, we humans may know that the fate of those bodies is to be devoured by scavengers, but it isn't like we go digging up our own dead to see what happened to them (at least, not very often) and even the ancients knew that a buried body was eventually worm food.
Merfolk never go onto dry land, except for these burial ceremonies, so they just don't think very much about what happens to the bodies once they are deposited.
answered 1 hour ago
kingledion
65.8k22210371
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Burial at land
Surface dwellers (i.e. Humans) long believed in Underworlds of a sort. Inside the bowels of the Earth were a mysterious place, one potentially inhabited by gods or monsters. The dead were often associated with the Underworld, an associate that lead to widespread burial customs.
For merfolk, the obvious 'other world' is the surface. Honored dead can be taken out of the life giving ocean, and placed in the surface world, with which the afterlife is traditionally associated. After all, what merperson knows about the goings on in the mountains and forests of the surface land?
Bodies are prepared ritually taken onto the shore, and placed in restful positions. Sure, we humans may know that the fate of those bodies is to be devoured by scavengers, but it isn't like we go digging up our own dead to see what happened to them (at least, not very often) and even the ancients knew that a buried body was eventually worm food.
Merfolk never go onto dry land, except for these burial ceremonies, so they just don't think very much about what happens to the bodies once they are deposited.
answered 1 hour ago
kingledion
65.8k22210371
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Burial at land
Surface dwellers (i.e. Humans) long believed in Underworlds of a sort. Inside the bowels of the Earth were a mysterious place, one potentially inhabited by gods or monsters. The dead were often associated with the Underworld, an associate that lead to widespread burial customs.
For merfolk, the obvious 'other world' is the surface. Honored dead can be taken out of the life giving ocean, and placed in the surface world, with which the afterlife is traditionally associated. After all, what merperson knows about the goings on in the mountains and forests of the surface land?
Bodies are prepared ritually taken onto the shore, and placed in restful positions. Sure, we humans may know that the fate of those bodies is to be devoured by scavengers, but it isn't like we go digging up our own dead to see what happened to them (at least, not very often) and even the ancients knew that a buried body was eventually worm food.
Merfolk never go onto dry land, except for these burial ceremonies, so they just don't think very much about what happens to the bodies once they are deposited.
answered 1 hour ago
kingledion
65.8k22210371
Burial at land
Surface dwellers (i.e. Humans) long believed in Underworlds of a sort. Inside the bowels of the Earth were a mysterious place, one potentially inhabited by gods or monsters. The dead were often associated with the Underworld, an associate that lead to widespread burial customs.
For merfolk, the obvious 'other world' is the surface. Honored dead can be taken out of the life giving ocean, and placed in the surface world, with which the afterlife is traditionally associated. After all, what merperson knows about the goings on in the mountains and forests of the surface land?
Bodies are prepared ritually taken onto the shore, and placed in restful positions. Sure, we humans may know that the fate of those bodies is to be devoured by scavengers, but it isn't like we go digging up our own dead to see what happened to them (at least, not very often) and even the ancients knew that a buried body was eventually worm food.
Merfolk never go onto dry land, except for these burial ceremonies, so they just don't think very much about what happens to the bodies once they are deposited.
answered 1 hour ago
kingledion
65.8k22210371
answered 1 hour ago
kingledion
65.8k22210371
answered 1 hour ago
kingledion
65.8k22210371
answered 1 hour ago
kingledion
65.8k22210371
65.8k22210371
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Why dispose of them? Life under the sea is difficult. Acquiring enough nutrients to survive is always done at great difficulty. It's not like they can plant their food like humans do. They must constantly hunt fish, scavenge or gather whatever they can, and, occasionally, trade with the humans nearby.
Therefore, when one of them tragically dies, they don't get rid of the body. It's not only a great waste, it can also attract predators. So, instead, they honor their dear departed by fully consuming the body, in a ritualistic meal in which they celebrate the life of the deceased, and all the sacrifices he made for the community.
The humans may be squeamish about it, but what do they know? Why, they throw their honored dead into the fire, the barbarians!
answered 3 hours ago
Sycrus
94
New contributor
Sycrus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
FYI, plants grow also under water. Just look at the Nori used by Japanese, or Posidonia Oceanica.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Why dispose of them? Life under the sea is difficult. Acquiring enough nutrients to survive is always done at great difficulty. It's not like they can plant their food like humans do. They must constantly hunt fish, scavenge or gather whatever they can, and, occasionally, trade with the humans nearby.
Therefore, when one of them tragically dies, they don't get rid of the body. It's not only a great waste, it can also attract predators. So, instead, they honor their dear departed by fully consuming the body, in a ritualistic meal in which they celebrate the life of the deceased, and all the sacrifices he made for the community.
The humans may be squeamish about it, but what do they know? Why, they throw their honored dead into the fire, the barbarians!
answered 3 hours ago
Sycrus
94
New contributor
Sycrus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
FYI, plants grow also under water. Just look at the Nori used by Japanese, or Posidonia Oceanica.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Why dispose of them? Life under the sea is difficult. Acquiring enough nutrients to survive is always done at great difficulty. It's not like they can plant their food like humans do. They must constantly hunt fish, scavenge or gather whatever they can, and, occasionally, trade with the humans nearby.
Therefore, when one of them tragically dies, they don't get rid of the body. It's not only a great waste, it can also attract predators. So, instead, they honor their dear departed by fully consuming the body, in a ritualistic meal in which they celebrate the life of the deceased, and all the sacrifices he made for the community.
The humans may be squeamish about it, but what do they know? Why, they throw their honored dead into the fire, the barbarians!
answered 3 hours ago
Sycrus
94
New contributor
Sycrus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Why dispose of them? Life under the sea is difficult. Acquiring enough nutrients to survive is always done at great difficulty. It's not like they can plant their food like humans do. They must constantly hunt fish, scavenge or gather whatever they can, and, occasionally, trade with the humans nearby.
Therefore, when one of them tragically dies, they don't get rid of the body. It's not only a great waste, it can also attract predators. So, instead, they honor their dear departed by fully consuming the body, in a ritualistic meal in which they celebrate the life of the deceased, and all the sacrifices he made for the community.
The humans may be squeamish about it, but what do they know? Why, they throw their honored dead into the fire, the barbarians!
answered 3 hours ago
Sycrus
94
New contributor
Sycrus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 3 hours ago
Sycrus
94
New contributor
Sycrus is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 3 hours ago
Sycrus
94
answered 3 hours ago
Sycrus
94
94
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FYI, plants grow also under water. Just look at the Nori used by Japanese, or Posidonia Oceanica.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
FYI, plants grow also under water. Just look at the Nori used by Japanese, or Posidonia Oceanica.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
FYI, plants grow also under water. Just look at the Nori used by Japanese, or Posidonia Oceanica.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
FYI, plants grow also under water. Just look at the Nori used by Japanese, or Posidonia Oceanica.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
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Underwater Bone Graveyard
The corpse is dragged by familiars to a specific place (graveyard) where small animals or fishes quickly eat the flesh, but preserving the squeleton, that is placed with the others.
answered 2 hours ago
Onofre Pouplana
56438
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Underwater Bone Graveyard
The corpse is dragged by familiars to a specific place (graveyard) where small animals or fishes quickly eat the flesh, but preserving the squeleton, that is placed with the others.
answered 2 hours ago
Onofre Pouplana
56438
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Underwater Bone Graveyard
The corpse is dragged by familiars to a specific place (graveyard) where small animals or fishes quickly eat the flesh, but preserving the squeleton, that is placed with the others.
answered 2 hours ago
Onofre Pouplana
56438
Underwater Bone Graveyard
The corpse is dragged by familiars to a specific place (graveyard) where small animals or fishes quickly eat the flesh, but preserving the squeleton, that is placed with the others.
answered 2 hours ago
Onofre Pouplana
56438
answered 2 hours ago
Onofre Pouplana
56438
answered 2 hours ago
Onofre Pouplana
56438
answered 2 hours ago
Onofre Pouplana
56438
56438
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Burial at sea is an actual thing in the real world. It has been practiced by humans for millenia. Most of the major religions, whose foundations date back from centuries to millenia, have their methods and rites for it. For example, from the wiki above:
Protestantism
The Anglican Communion has detailed procedures for burial at sea. The ship has to be stopped, and the body has to be sewn in canvas, suitably weighted. Anglican (and other) chaplains of the Royal Navy bury cremated remains of ex-Naval personnel at sea. Scattering of cremated remains is discouraged, not least for practical reason.
In the Book of Common Prayer (1928) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA), a member of the Anglican Communion provides a specific prayer of committal for burials at sea.
Countries have their own codes for it as well. Also from the wiki above:
United States
A funeral director is not required for the burial of cremated remains at sea. However, full body burials require specific preparation to ensure the body or coffin sinks quickly, and in many states a licensed funeral director is required. The Environmental Protection Agency regulations for full body burials at sea in the United States require that the site of interment be 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) from land and at a depth of at least 600 feet (180 m). California prohibits whole body burial within its state-asserted three-mile limit...
Your merfolk could take a page from humans and do something similar.
The seas have their own scavenging animals, so any corpse will be devoured and the nutrients will go back to the ecosystem. As long as they dispose of the bodies far enough from the island, and maybe tied to - or sacked along - some stones to weight down the corpse, the dead should not end up washing ashore.
Edit: for anyone who thinks a burial at sea could not be effective: it would be the underwater equivalent of a zoroastrian funeral.
answered 3 hours ago
Renan
33.2k773169
1
burial at sea for murfolk is like dumping on intersection of Main and 5th Street for us. "The seagulls and rats just eat it, don't worry"
– Andrey
2 hours ago
I mean...that just leaves the bodies floating around. Pretty much all human societies had some form of respect for the dead; I'd assume the merfolk did as well.
– kingledion
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Burial at sea is an actual thing in the real world. It has been practiced by humans for millenia. Most of the major religions, whose foundations date back from centuries to millenia, have their methods and rites for it. For example, from the wiki above:
Protestantism
The Anglican Communion has detailed procedures for burial at sea. The ship has to be stopped, and the body has to be sewn in canvas, suitably weighted. Anglican (and other) chaplains of the Royal Navy bury cremated remains of ex-Naval personnel at sea. Scattering of cremated remains is discouraged, not least for practical reason.
In the Book of Common Prayer (1928) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA), a member of the Anglican Communion provides a specific prayer of committal for burials at sea.
Countries have their own codes for it as well. Also from the wiki above:
United States
A funeral director is not required for the burial of cremated remains at sea. However, full body burials require specific preparation to ensure the body or coffin sinks quickly, and in many states a licensed funeral director is required. The Environmental Protection Agency regulations for full body burials at sea in the United States require that the site of interment be 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) from land and at a depth of at least 600 feet (180 m). California prohibits whole body burial within its state-asserted three-mile limit...
Your merfolk could take a page from humans and do something similar.
The seas have their own scavenging animals, so any corpse will be devoured and the nutrients will go back to the ecosystem. As long as they dispose of the bodies far enough from the island, and maybe tied to - or sacked along - some stones to weight down the corpse, the dead should not end up washing ashore.
Edit: for anyone who thinks a burial at sea could not be effective: it would be the underwater equivalent of a zoroastrian funeral.
answered 3 hours ago
Renan
33.2k773169
1
burial at sea for murfolk is like dumping on intersection of Main and 5th Street for us. "The seagulls and rats just eat it, don't worry"
– Andrey
2 hours ago
I mean...that just leaves the bodies floating around. Pretty much all human societies had some form of respect for the dead; I'd assume the merfolk did as well.
– kingledion
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Burial at sea is an actual thing in the real world. It has been practiced by humans for millenia. Most of the major religions, whose foundations date back from centuries to millenia, have their methods and rites for it. For example, from the wiki above:
Protestantism
The Anglican Communion has detailed procedures for burial at sea. The ship has to be stopped, and the body has to be sewn in canvas, suitably weighted. Anglican (and other) chaplains of the Royal Navy bury cremated remains of ex-Naval personnel at sea. Scattering of cremated remains is discouraged, not least for practical reason.
In the Book of Common Prayer (1928) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA), a member of the Anglican Communion provides a specific prayer of committal for burials at sea.
Countries have their own codes for it as well. Also from the wiki above:
United States
A funeral director is not required for the burial of cremated remains at sea. However, full body burials require specific preparation to ensure the body or coffin sinks quickly, and in many states a licensed funeral director is required. The Environmental Protection Agency regulations for full body burials at sea in the United States require that the site of interment be 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) from land and at a depth of at least 600 feet (180 m). California prohibits whole body burial within its state-asserted three-mile limit...
Your merfolk could take a page from humans and do something similar.
The seas have their own scavenging animals, so any corpse will be devoured and the nutrients will go back to the ecosystem. As long as they dispose of the bodies far enough from the island, and maybe tied to - or sacked along - some stones to weight down the corpse, the dead should not end up washing ashore.
Edit: for anyone who thinks a burial at sea could not be effective: it would be the underwater equivalent of a zoroastrian funeral.
answered 3 hours ago
Renan
33.2k773169
Burial at sea is an actual thing in the real world. It has been practiced by humans for millenia. Most of the major religions, whose foundations date back from centuries to millenia, have their methods and rites for it. For example, from the wiki above:
Protestantism
The Anglican Communion has detailed procedures for burial at sea. The ship has to be stopped, and the body has to be sewn in canvas, suitably weighted. Anglican (and other) chaplains of the Royal Navy bury cremated remains of ex-Naval personnel at sea. Scattering of cremated remains is discouraged, not least for practical reason.
In the Book of Common Prayer (1928) of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA), a member of the Anglican Communion provides a specific prayer of committal for burials at sea.
Countries have their own codes for it as well. Also from the wiki above:
United States
A funeral director is not required for the burial of cremated remains at sea. However, full body burials require specific preparation to ensure the body or coffin sinks quickly, and in many states a licensed funeral director is required. The Environmental Protection Agency regulations for full body burials at sea in the United States require that the site of interment be 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) from land and at a depth of at least 600 feet (180 m). California prohibits whole body burial within its state-asserted three-mile limit...
Your merfolk could take a page from humans and do something similar.
The seas have their own scavenging animals, so any corpse will be devoured and the nutrients will go back to the ecosystem. As long as they dispose of the bodies far enough from the island, and maybe tied to - or sacked along - some stones to weight down the corpse, the dead should not end up washing ashore.
Edit: for anyone who thinks a burial at sea could not be effective: it would be the underwater equivalent of a zoroastrian funeral.
answered 3 hours ago
Renan
33.2k773169
edited 8 mins ago
answered 3 hours ago
Renan
33.2k773169
answered 3 hours ago
Renan
33.2k773169
answered 3 hours ago
Renan
33.2k773169
33.2k773169
1
burial at sea for murfolk is like dumping on intersection of Main and 5th Street for us. "The seagulls and rats just eat it, don't worry"
– Andrey
2 hours ago
I mean...that just leaves the bodies floating around. Pretty much all human societies had some form of respect for the dead; I'd assume the merfolk did as well.
– kingledion
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
1
burial at sea for murfolk is like dumping on intersection of Main and 5th Street for us. "The seagulls and rats just eat it, don't worry"
– Andrey
2 hours ago
I mean...that just leaves the bodies floating around. Pretty much all human societies had some form of respect for the dead; I'd assume the merfolk did as well.
– kingledion
1 hour ago
1
1
burial at sea for murfolk is like dumping on intersection of Main and 5th Street for us. "The seagulls and rats just eat it, don't worry"
– Andrey
2 hours ago
burial at sea for murfolk is like dumping on intersection of Main and 5th Street for us. "The seagulls and rats just eat it, don't worry"
– Andrey
2 hours ago
I mean...that just leaves the bodies floating around. Pretty much all human societies had some form of respect for the dead; I'd assume the merfolk did as well.
– kingledion
1 hour ago
I mean...that just leaves the bodies floating around. Pretty much all human societies had some form of respect for the dead; I'd assume the merfolk did as well.
– kingledion
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
Asganius is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Asganius is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Asganius is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Asganius is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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I wouldn't think just sinking the bodies would have negative effects on marine life--they'd just merrily eat the bodies. It would be more of a negative effect on the merfolk, seeing their friends and family decompose in the open like that, I think.
– Hosch250
3 hours ago
1
Large fish die all the time to the great delight of smaller fish; are there any negative effects you are thinking of?
– Whelkaholism
3 hours ago
How magical is this world in general? How magical are the merfolk in particular?
– hszmv
3 hours ago
you have posted the same question yesterday, it was put on hold and now you have deleted it and reposted a new one without bothering about trying to edit the old one.
– L.Dutch♦
2 hours ago
FYI, i rewrote it, but whatever. So yeah i guess that the fish would appreciate the meal, but still there is the thing of seeing your buddies eaten by fish thing. I like the idea of the underwater graveyard or burial place thing. thanks
– Asganius
1 hour ago