Murder in Heliopolis: Death and Funerals

What do the people in Heliopolis do with the dead? What are their funerals like?

You can read the first draft of Murder in Heliopolis for free on Royal Road. If you do, drop by and leave me a comment - let me know your thoughts!  

In Heliopolis, most dead are buried if possible. Space limitations will probably be an issue in future, but for now, this works just fine for them. The Graves, which are large parcels of land provided specifically for the purpose of burying the dead, are scattered throughout the city. They are often maintained by their immediate community, as people tend to be buried as close to their family’s homes as possible, making it easier for family members to visit the grave sites and care for them. 

Funerary rites will depend on cultural and religious practices and rulings, which will change from one group of people to another. There are religion-specific gravesites, for those who prefer it. In all Graves, PATET attempts to ensure that family members are buried near one another if possible, or in as close proximity as possible. 

Heliopolis places a large emphasis on natural burials, by which I mean burials where steps are not taken to preserve the body in any way, allowing it to decompose naturally in the soil. This also means that caskets are not used, as they would prevent this. From an environmental perspective, a natural burial also allows for soil to be replenished with nutrients from the decomposition of bodies. This is why most of the Graves are sites where the soil is of poor quality and not great for agriculture. 

Heliopolitans do not hold the same view we do regarding graveyards and how frightening they are. Instead, all of the Graves are carefully designed and planned, with the goal of making them welcoming places for the community. They may look like parks, for example. Moreover, grave markers tend to be small and unobtrusive, serving only to mark the grave for those who would seek it. 

PATET holds a regularly updated database of all people buried in all of the Graves. Visitors to any of the Graves can input the name of the deceased whose grave they wish to visit, and will be given an interactive map via their Slates, which can show them the way. Such a map could even include additional features. For example, it could allow visitors to learn more about those who are buried nearby, or it could tell them about nearby artistic installations, or it could even recommend places to picnic near the grave. 

Death is not seen as a frightening thing in Heliopolis. Whether religious or not, most citizens are taught to understand death as a way of reuniting with nature, of doing good perhaps even after death by helping revitalize areas with poor soil. The Graves and how they are designed, and how the community is able to interact with them, play a large role in this.

Death and funerary practices tend to work relatively the same way in Novus Atlantis and other sister cities. Though they may not have the same planning and design - or even the same approach to graveyards - burial is a commonality.

[This was originally an ask sent in on my tumblr. Original post.] 

An addition, from my notes for the Encyclopaedia Heliopolitana:

Of the 27 districts of Heliopolis, one is called The Graves. This is referred to as a scattered district, because The Graves are located throughout Heliopolis. However, they are all grouped into one entity for administrative and governmental purposes. You'll learn more about the layout of Heliopolis soon!

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You can read the first draft of Murder in Heliopolis for free on Royal Road. If you do, drop by and leave me a comment - let me know your thoughts!