With Ash Wednesday approaching, Life After Life explores the Christian phrase, “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust” as it relates to the intersection of religious practices and modern sustainable deathcare options.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season in the Christian faith and is a day of repentance and reflection. Observed by millions of Christians around the world, Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is a time to remember one's mortality and to seek forgiveness for one's sins.
The name 'Ash Wednesday' comes from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of believers in the shape of a cross, as a sign of penitence. The ashes are typically made from the burned palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday, which are mixed with holy water or oil and blessed by a priest. The act of receiving ashes is a powerful reminder of mortality and the inevitability of death. As the ashes are placed on the forehead, the priest says, 'Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.' The act is intended to be a powerful reminder that we are all mortal, and that we will all one day return to the earth.
'Ashes to Ashes' and the sentiment of the transience of human life and the impermanence of all material things is a concept that is shared across many faiths – from Islam to Zoroastrianism. It reflects the universal experience that everything in the physical world is subject to decay and change, and that all of our worldly possessions and achievements will one day turn to dust.
In religious contexts, 'Ashes to Ashes' is often used as a symbol of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. In many cultures, ashes are seen as a purifying agent, and are used in religious rituals to cleanse and renew. In this sense, the phrase can be seen as a reminder that death is not an end in itself, but a part of a larger cycle of birth, growth, decay, and regeneration.
For many people, the sentiment is a way to confront the reality of mortality and to reflect on the meaning of life. It can be a powerful reminder to focus on what really matters in life and to make the most of the time we have. It is a call to live in the present moment and to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
A natural burial is 'Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust' in practice - the body is returned to the earth and bringing with it new life. At Life After Life, we empower people with a choice in death that gives back to the earth, not takes away. Through our memorial parks, people have the power to bring new life the communities they leave behind and renew life, even in death. When you contribute to Life After Life, you are helping us build green memorial spaces and a better world for future generations, rather than traditional practices that pollute our lands and air. Let’s let our dust bring with it new life, not take it away from those we leave behind.
