Death & Birds

Death & Birds

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Death & Birds
Death & Birds
wildflowers
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wildflowers

and metamorphosis

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Chloe Hope
Sep 10, 2023
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An adolescent Swan on the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London

Hello. This post is about Death & Birds.


Recently, during a (belated) spring-clean I found a piece of paper on which my eleven-year-old self had written my Last Will and Testament, bequeathing my humble belongings to various classmates, and my guinea pigs. In it, I made the reasonable request that a plane be filled with wildflowers and its contents released over the peak of a high mountain, before my body was placed atop. I also asked that a windup radio, camping stove, tin of baked beans, tin opener and fork be left at my side; just in case.

Reading it prompted me to review my current Death plan, which was all in order—though I admit my mind did drift towards what the practicalities of filling a plane with wildflowers might actually involve. David and I have, however, both gone for the more environmentally friendly option of plots at a natural burial ground. There are no man made grave markings allowed within the many acres of grassland, meadow and ancient woodlands of the site—only un-embalmed bodies buried in biodegradable coffins or shrouds, laid to rest in hand dug graves.

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