Grave-ity

 Graves are a respectful way of  returning the dead person to earth. The form could be in ashes or bodily, but in some way, we shall all eventually, turn again, into the substances of which we were formed physically. And we are all going to do that in whatever manner it is, for us, to happen. It will depend upon those who deal with our bodies when we die. We have no true rights beyond our human life. To some, this fact is highly important while to others, it has no deep meaning that they have lived at all while at the same time, have given their contribution to life on earth as best they could. Some are buried in the ground in various ways. Those interred in this manner along with others who are first cremated and then buried, gives those remaining a place to visit if that is their wish. Some graves by choice, are marked and some are not. It depends upon the wishes or the situation at the time of death. In some cultures historically and perhaps today, bodies are left in a natural environment, thus being returned to earth in that manner. Sometimes the dead are buried in a special place along with many others of their belief. There are people who prefer their bodies after death to be cremated and strewn in a place of their choice or that of their people and in whatever way that group does it. It is entirely left to those remaining to dispose, in a respectful way, of the remains of their loved ones or their charges, to carry out this human "rite". Historically, the disposal of those who died, is much varied and often surprising. In one culture, those who could manage the cost, were entombed in very elaborate ways and their grave markers are much visited wonders of the engineering genius of their times. Today, remains and their after death treatment are widely optional. The dying often chose, now, to return to earth in a more realistic manner as without ceremony or physical rites  while others prefer to have elaborate memorial events and markers. Even the word for dying has many forms. Dealing with death and the after ceremonies, is the most complex of human mores. Often the very word "dead" is so terribly abhorrent to some, that other, more comfortable words are used. "Passing on", "A Loss", "Transition", "Gone", "No Longer With Us", "To The Maker", "Returned To Earth",  and many more. They all mean the permanent physical state, as we know it, of death. And "dead" is not horrific because it is an undeniable truth.  But as said previously, the word "truth" is rather flexible, and there is always "freedom of speech" or thought, in framing the verbal actuality of death in many ways. Usually, some kind of marker is made or styled or situated to honour the individual who died. It is not necessary to have a marker if that is the style at the time of death because for most people their life is forgotten in three or four generations no matter how hard it seems. Some choose to make elaborate family trees so ensure that their "line" is remembered. Others choose to be forgotten without ceremony.  Long ago and even now, some memorials are very elaborate. Statues are made, stone markers are carved and embellished to last centuries, portraits, tapestries, stained glass, pyramids and niches, garden shrines or fountains or wall memorials are made as places to visit and remember those no longer alive. Every life, however simple or grand, contributes an importance to our earthly history. Death, one of the most difficult of actualities easily to understand, will always be the biggest challenge of life.