Marketing bacon and hot dogs with coffins? Sometimes we’re tempted to say that certain things just don’t warrant comment.  However, students of popular culture, animal studies and/or death studies may find this post particularly useful when illustrating cultural values and ideas about animals, food, death and humor.

Below are two examples of businesses mixing the accoutrements of human funerals with meat; by so doing, they focus our attention on the particular products they sell – bacon and hot dogs – and the bodies they come from. The unexamined words, images and materials that we use and encounter shape our cultural values, experiences and understanding of the world, and can sometimes create great distance among people, as well as between humans and other species.

“Bacon Coffin”

Just before April 1 (a.k.a., April Fool’s Day), a news item about a new bacon-themed coffin received a fair amount of media attention with many respondents inquiring if it was “real” or a hoax.  It was created and marketed by Seattle-based J&D Foods (although more accurately, the coffin markets them). They explain that it was created for “the bacon fan who loves bacon to death.” (see video below)

The “coffin” is made of 18-gauge steel and is described by its makers as “a high-end coffin.” It’s painted with a bacon motif and comes with a bacon-scented air freshener inside. The irony which most can immediately recognize is that, for the “bacon fan,” the overconsumption of bacon will likely expedite one’s passage into their coffin. What many may not recognize, however, are the lives and deaths of all those pigs whose bellies were cut into strips of bacon (unless they’ve adopted a pot-bellied pig or are vegetarian).

This juxtaposition is relevant to how we think about other animals, especially those we embrace as family. Regarding the “bacon coffin” – the grave of the consumed pig is within the remains of the deceased person, entombed in a metal coffin with a design that refers back to the pig’s remains, and severs both from the natural world.

“Dead Dogs”

A second business mixing funeral with meat deals with animal death more directly. Dead Dogs Ltd. sells hot dogs from a metal coffin shuttled about in a hearse. Unlike the “bacon coffin,” this coffin is not intended for human bodies, but for the bodies of animals: it was repurposed to cook hot dogs (which commonly include pork). Some onlookers were initially confused when they saw the company name on the hearse, assuming that it was a dog cremation company.

This confusion begs the question: how did ‘hot dogs’ get this name? These sausages likely originated in Germany or Austria, and there is some evidence that points to a rise in eating actual dogs in Germany in the early 20^th century,[i] as well as in the U.S. in the mid to late 19^th century (when hot dogs in a bun were introduced in the U.S.).[ii] The possibility of eating dog meat has long been a source of personal and social anxiety, and sausages, often an economical mix of cheaper meats, have long been subject to such speculation. While there is also anxiety about eating pork among those whose dietary laws prohibit the eating of pigs, such anxiety is likely to be about moral contamination whereas eating dog meat may be more closely akin to eating those who could have been family or friend. What fascinates me is the fact that, despite the cultural taboo of eating dogs, the name ‘hot dog’ has stuck!

Another question arises: while we can readily speak of funerals and bereavement for animals regarded as ‘pets,’ is it possible to do the same for those regularly killed for human consumption? The distinctions begin to become blurred when considering individual animals, especially among those with pet pigs, goats, lambs, chickens, horses, rabbits, turkeys, etc. Since the launch of the Green Pet-Burial Society, these folk have reached out to us to describe their wonderful relationships with their companion animals, and to support the goals of the Society.

Living with Pigs

Last year I had the good fortune of meeting my friends’ black pot-bellied pig – the first time I ever met a pig!  Adopted several years ago, she quickly became a cherished member of the family, and I was likewise charmed by her. Extremely independent, she heartily ate the carrots and apples I offered, and let me brush her coarse hair. I’m not sure which one of us was the more grateful.

Pot-bellied pigs were especially popular as pets in the U.S. during the 1980s and ‘90s. From a 1997 study, at the height of this phenomenon, varying estimates of the number of pot-bellied pigs kept as ‘pets’ in the U.S. ranged from 250,000 to 1 million (although 485 slaughterhouses were contacted with 4,047 requests to slaughter their ‘pets’ within the 18-month period examined).[iii]

Among those of us who haven’t lived with companion pigs, there may be a curiosity about the animals who are culturally significant yet unknown. Three years ago, British actor and corporate communications consultant, Richard da Costa, set out to have a deeper understanding of pigs.  For four days he lived with 10 pigs in their concrete pen; all were being raised for slaughter.  In the process, he discovered how intelligent, social, and individualistic each pig was – something scientists and those who have adopted pot-bellied pigs have long known.

Dietary Taboos

Coincidentally, while gathering this information this past week, I learned that it was when Jews traditionally study the 11^th chapter of Leviticus, which introduces criteria and lists of animals prohibited to be eaten (such as pigs) and those which were accommodated (it also gives codes of contamination when coming into contact with dead bodies). These are part of the Jewish dietary laws (i.e., Kashruth or “keeping Kosher”), which are also observed by some Seventh Day Adventists (when foregoing their traditionally proscribed vegetarian diet), and some Eastern Christian denominations such as the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Similarly, pigs are also forbidden (haram) for Muslims. Yet globally, people eat more pork than any other meat.[iv] Why some animals are allowed to be eaten while others are forbidden is fodder for another discussion. Food or family – our lives with pigs, as with many other animals, are riddled with complexity and contradictions.

[A day after adding this post, I learned that this is the 60th anniversary of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web. "Terrific"!]

For more information:

Pig by Brett Mizelle. 2011. Reaktion Books. “This book explores human kinship with pigs in the worlds of art, literature and entertainment, but also the history of the development of modern industrial pork production. Pig shows how humans have shaped the pig; and how the pig has shaped us in its turn.” www.reaktionbooks.co.uk/book.html?id=459

Dr. Francoise Wemelsfelder, Scottish Agricultural College, Animal & Veterinary Sicence Research Group. Much of the scientific information we have about pigs and other farmed animals comes from the scientists linked to agricultural schools. Such is the case of Dr. Francoise Wemelsfelder, whose research interest is in “the development of scientific approaches for the study of animals as whole sentient beings (i.e. as subjects rather than objects), bringing insights from philosophy of mind into the study of animal emotion.” www.sac.ac.uk/research/groups/animalhealth/teams/behaviourwelfare/francoisewemelsfelder/

Pigs as pets

• Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/pigs.cfm)
• Pigs 4 Ever (www.pigs4ever.com)

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I just viewed The Mantis Parable (2006), the first animated short by filmmaker Josh Staub.

It is a perfect short film for the Passover and Easter holidays (which also coincided with Buddha’s birthday this year). It’s a story of life in the face of death; control over our own bodies and stories; dyspathy, compassion and redemption; liberation from captivity; and accepting the risks of sacrifice to help another. Since its release, this film has gained international acclaim at film festivals worldwide.

If you know of other works of art we should consider including on our Art webpage, please let us know. Enjoy!

In thinking about how these standards might apply to pet cemeteries as well as human cemeteries, we carefully analyzed GBC’s standards and proposed some modifications, including reinstituting a four-standard system along with some additional recognitions. (Note: these two organizations are independent from one another.)

Certifying Pet Cemeteries

Our primary question is: What standards would be appropriate for pet cemeteries as well as human and ‘family cemeteries’? (We call cemeteries that allow full-body burial of the remains from all members of a family – humans and their companion animals – ‘family cemeteries.’)

While operating under the label ‘cemetery,’ pet cemeteries are generally unregulated or barely regulated by state cemetery laws. This can be misleading as we learn anecdotally that many consumers believe and expect that cemetery regulations fully apply to both kinds of cemeteries (i.e., human and pet).

While there is a need for more state regulation – which the Green Pet-Burial Society supports – we recognize that this will likely happen only when consumers and their representatives become proactive. Therefore, a GBC certification affords a level of assessment and accountability that will be attractive to both, consumers and pet cemeteries.

Proposal Summary

One major proposed change regards the designation of ‘hybrid’ burial grounds. GBC uses the term ‘hybrid’ to refer to cemeteries which would allow biodegradable shrouds or containers among their mix of graves holding non-biodegradable caskets. Rather, we call such cemeteries ‘mixed-media cemeteries.’ While such options might be recognized as a step in the right direction and may be a satisfying option for some consumers – we wouldn’t consider such cemeteries as ‘green.’ We propose that the term ‘hybrid’ be reserved for cemeteries with a separate section devoted exclusively to green burials.

Here is a brief summary of our proposals’ key points:

1. Require that all cemeteries be deeded in perpetuity in order to be certified as ‘green.’

2. Differentiate ‘mixed-media’ cemeteries from ‘hybrid’ cemeteries.

3. Have ‘Hybrid’ cemeteries only include those with a designated green burial section.

4. Reintroduce ‘Low Impact Burial Ground,’ to be characterized by the criteria for the proposed green burial sections extended to the entire cemetery.

5. Allow ‘Conservation Burial Ground’ certification for cemeteries that meet current standards, but which contract with a conservation organization/agency rather than be co-“owned by or operated in conjunction with” a conservation organization/agency (or to have “operated in conjunction with” to include contracted consultant arrangements). This may potentially enable more cemeteries to achieve ‘conservation’ status without compromising standards.

6. Establish a special recognition for those conservation burial grounds that are “owned by or operated in conjunction with” a conservation organization/agency, beyond a consultant arrangement.

7. Allow conservation burial grounds (and other levels) to permit ‘non-biodegradable’ tools/materials/practices that are designed to reestablish or maintain wildlife populations (with a statement that GBC encourages wildlife protection practices as determined by a wildlife organization/agency).

8. Possibly change the title, or create special designation, for these wildlife preservation cemeteries, e.g., ‘Conservation Burial Ground/Wildlife Preserve.’

For pet cemetery managers thinking of going green – see our four-page pamphlet, The Greening of Pet Cemeteries, initially prepared for a presentation at the 2011 annual convention of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries & Crematories (IAOPCC).

In the News

On April 1, 2012,CNN Online mentioned the Green Pet-Burial Society in an article on green burials for companion animals.

Popular Post

Our last post which linked to Matisyahu’s song, One Day, on YouTube proved to be our most popular posting yet.

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image: jjjj56cp on flickr.com ”147e just a peek…”  

For all who struggle with grief, here is a song my friends sing. Written and sung by Matisyahu, it’s a blessing with wide meaning, an anthem for peace, and yearning for peace in our personal lives when people’s hostilities towards us may be turned into invited play. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl9voSKJmEU

One Day

Sometimes I lay under the moon

and thank God I’m breathing

Then I pray

don’t take me soon

‘cause I am here for a reason

Sometimes in my tears I drown

but I never let it get me down

so when negativity surrounds

I know some day it’ll all turn around

because

All my life I’ve been waiting for

I’ve been praying for

for the people to say

that we don’t wanna fight no more

they’ll be no more wars

and our children will play

One day [x6]

It’s not about

win or lose

we all lose

when they feed on the

souls of the innocent

blood drenched pavement

keep on moving though the

waters stay raging

In this maze you can lose

your way (your way)

it might drive you crazy but

don’t let it faze you no way (no way)

Sometimes in my tears I drown

but I never let it get me down

so when negativity surrounds

I know some day it’ll all turn around

because

All my life I’ve been waiting for

I’ve been praying for

for the people to say

that we don’t wanna fight no more

they’ll be no more wars

and our children will play

One day [x6]

One day this all will change

treat people the same

stop with the violence

down with the hate

One day we’ll all be free

and proud to be

under the same sun

singing songs of freedom like

One day [x4]

All my life I’ve been waiting for

I’ve been praying for

for the people to say

that we don’t wanna fight no more

they’ll be no more wars

and our children will play

One day [x6]

image: Untitled by Grafik Mekanik

Brits love their pets! We just learned of Respect GB (Respect Great Britain – Respect Green Burials) and their two green burial grounds. According to their website:

We now operate two private Natural Woodland Green Burial Parks, predominantly for burying people, however we have a separate area that uniquely offers the burial of animals and pet lovers side by side in our togetherness section. This rather exclusive opportunity for you to be buried alongside your pets can only take place in a special fully licensed cemetery of which we own two of the four burial grounds in the UK.

• Laughton near the North Linc’s / Lincolnshire border serving both counties DN21 3AF
• Scrooby / Bawtry Great North Rd J A638/A614 North Nottinghamshire / South Yorkshire DN10 6AB

Because of today’s modern lifestyle we cannot always choose to live a green life, but green burial is our opportunity to have a respectful green end to our cycle of life and put something good back into mother earth.

To see our growing list of international Green Family Cemeteries and Green Pet Cemeteries, visit our International Providers page.

The Green Pet-Burial Society is happy to announce two new green cemeteries:

• Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Gainesville, FL
• Greenhaven Preserve in Eastover, SC.

Both are listed on our Providers webpage. Greenhaven Preserve includes both, a family cemetery and a pet cemetery. 

Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery, Gainesville, FL  

Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery (PCCC) is located in the heart of North Florida, just outside Gainesville and close to Paynes Prairie. The cemetery includes wild grass meadows and stands of classic North Florida oaks. As a natural burial choice, it is also an opportunity to help conserve the beauty of Florida.

Freddie Johnson, Executive Director of the parent organization, Conservation Burial, Inc., wrote to us stating that by “providing an opportunity for folks to bury their beloved pets in the same natural cemetery as they plan to be buried in (or that a family member is already buried in) is immensely meaningful to our clients.”

Greenhaven Preserve, Eastover, SC 

Greenhaven Preserve is a 10-acre natural burial cemetery devoted to the long-term preservation and guardianship of the sacred land upon which it rests. Their mission is to restore and protect the surrounding fields and forests, waters and wildlife, views and vistas while providing a simple, meaningful and sustainable alternative to modern burial.

Cemetery Manager, Tara McCoy, informed us that Greenhaven Preserve is “a Green Burial Council certified conservation burial ground … located just a few minutes outside of downtown Columbia … We offer a separate pet burial section of our cemetery and also allow families to be buried with their pets.”

photo detail: summer wishes [Explored!] by Shandi-lee

Animal Death

This symposium is a pre-conference event of the Minding Animals Conference. Minding Animals provides an avenue for the transdisciplinary field of Animal Studies to be more responsive to the protection of animals. The symposium is being organized and hosted at the University of Sydney by the Human Animal Research Network (HARN), an interdisciplinary and cross-faculty research group that aims to promote cross-disciplinary dialogue within the emerging discipline of Animal Studies.

In response, we prepared a new document for pet cemetery professionals which covers the basic conceptual, cultural, aesthetic and economic aspects that are significant to cemeterians and eco-conscious consumers. Additionally, it reimagines pet cemeteries as local centers for environmental sustainability.

Entitled, The Greening of Pet Cemeteries, it is posted on the “Pet Cemetery Professionals” webpage.

This new document made its debut at the recent annual convention of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries & Crematories (IAOPCC). Very encouraging!

As always, your generous donation helps to cover administrative and printing costs, and helps maintain our educational and public awareness programs.

photo credit: (c) 2009 Tina Lapointe photography 

Thank You for your interest in, and support of, the Green Pet-Burial Society. What an extraordinary year! When I founded the Society in early 2010, it was important to launch our website first in order to provide grieving individuals and families with information they needed to make practical and green burial arrangements upon the passing of a beloved animal. No other service provides the type of information we do. It’s heartening to know that many found help either directly from us or from the information posted.

If you haven’t visited the website since its launch, you’ll see that it’s grown significantly. There’s still new information to add, and we plan to sharpen its environmental focus. We’re also putting together an advisory council of dedicated individuals who share our goals.

New and important connections are being established with directors of human and pet cemeteries; funeral homes; pet, bereavement and green burial organizations; and associations listed on our Organizations webpage (under Resources). We’ve also become a resource for scholars and students interested in the emerging field of pet thanatology.

Entrepreneurs wanting to start a green pet cemetery – and green family cemetery directors seeking to include pet burials in their cemeteries – have contacted us requesting information and support. Finally, several small casket and shroud manufacturers requested that we create online listings of green burial products. We continue to look for transportation partners who can ensure the responsible transport of a pet’s remains for a burial back home.

Finally, we’ll keep you posted of plans to incorporate the Society in a new nonprofit that will focus on a variety of important family issues. As always, your generous donation goes a long way in promoting green pet-burials in pet and family cemeteries – and in raising awareness of the enduring bonds we have with our animal companions.

With warm regards,

Eric Greene

Since the park is nearly at capacity, any future expansion will be planned in consideration of this proposal. We look forward to more discussion when planning begins.

The LA Pet Memorial Park is the second oldest pet cemetery in the country, and they have long accommodated requests for natural unstained pine caskets without the use of nails.