Berkeley set to allow cremains within cityCarolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff WriterMonday, February 9, 2009(02-08) 17:36 PST — For the first time in a century, Berkeley residents might soon be able to spend the afterlife within the city limits.The City Council is poised this month to amend a 1910 law banning human burials and interments within city boundaries. If it passes, the change will allow small columbaria at churches and other locales, where families can store the ashes of their departed loved ones for eternity….The plan faced some initial opposition on the Planning Commission because it allowed only religious groups to build columbaria.But the plan going before the City Council for final approval allows all groups, not just religious ones, to open columbaria. Graveyards will still be prohibited. Planning Commissioner Patty Dacey was among those who voted against the original proposal, based on its favored treatment of religious groups.
Wow…so much for Hope over Fear…
What morons voted for this liar…?
It’s always nice when folks even at local government levels show they understand that the country was built on the principles of inclusion rather than exclusion based on religion, ethnicity or any other barrier tribalists erect to separate themselves from others.
My second thought is a bit more whimsical. Funerals are more to comfort the survivors than the deceased. Of course they may care prior to kicking the bucket but afterwards, well, I’ve never heard them complain.
I personally am far more concerned with how I’m treated while still living. Afterwards they can do what they like: defenestrate me like they did to Jezebel or even turn my remains into Soylent Green. In fact, the latter idea is more appealing than simply being interred for the delectation of worms. At least I would be of some immediate benefit to mankind and people might remember me not merely as a man of good taste, but one who also tasted good.
;^)
I guess Colma isnt good enough for those in the Bay Area anymore.
WTF?? Why would the law care about anyone keeping an urn of ashes in their home?
The answer to that is just simple ethics, NotSoFast. No one should be allowed to keep what they don’t urn…
;^)
That urns you a PhD in fundamentalist logic!
Dave,
Are you doing anything about that spambot that was screwing up the Latest Comments thread all last nite?
Not, this will hopefully be addressed soon.
I claim my right to have my final remains deposited in the local landfill. The idea that any friends or family should spend even a penney making gestures of respect after I’m dead is ridiculous. Throw me in a dumpster, go get drunk and talk bad about me, then get on with your life.
NeoWolfe
A young Catholic college student friend of mine confessed his doubts about his religion to an Irish priest. The Priest said, “Paul me boy, if it’s all a bunch of bullshit, it’s still a good way to live.” I can’t argue with that.
However, over the years and having traveled in every continent but Africa I see so much centered around churches and cathedrals, yet they are monuments to ignorance. If all the money that has ever been spent on all these religious buildings, had been spent on Science, Education, and Medicine, the World would be a better place, and chances are, we would have had fewer wars.
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