1. Burial (His Preference)
Tyson prefers a "natural" or "green" burial. He views this as a biological "repayment" to the Earth.
The Outcome: Your body is decomposed by microbes, worms, and bacteria. The energy stored in your molecules is directly absorbed by the ecosystem ("flora and fauna").
His Philosophy: Since he spent his whole life eating plants and animals (consuming their energy), he feels it is only fair that, in death, he provides a meal for them. It completes a local biological cycle.
2. Cremation
He views cremation as a process that sends your energy into the "cosmic" realm rather than the local biological one.
The Outcome: The high heat of cremation converts the energy in your molecules into infrared energy (heat). This energy radiates away from the Earth at the speed of light.
The Timeline: Tyson points out that you could actually track this energy. If you were cremated four years ago, the "infrared pulse" that was once your body would have already reached the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri.
The Physical Remains: The ashes (calcium and phosphate from your bones) eventually return to the soil to be incorporated into plants, but the majority of your body's "energy" has left the planet.
Tyson prefers a "natural" or "green" burial. He views this as a biological "repayment" to the Earth.
The Outcome: Your body is decomposed by microbes, worms, and bacteria. The energy stored in your molecules is directly absorbed by the ecosystem ("flora and fauna").
His Philosophy: Since he spent his whole life eating plants and animals (consuming their energy), he feels it is only fair that, in death, he provides a meal for them. It completes a local biological cycle.
2. Cremation
He views cremation as a process that sends your energy into the "cosmic" realm rather than the local biological one.
The Outcome: The high heat of cremation converts the energy in your molecules into infrared energy (heat). This energy radiates away from the Earth at the speed of light.
The Timeline: Tyson points out that you could actually track this energy. If you were cremated four years ago, the "infrared pulse" that was once your body would have already reached the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri.
The Physical Remains: The ashes (calcium and phosphate from your bones) eventually return to the soil to be incorporated into plants, but the majority of your body's "energy" has left the planet.
