Relic

When I die, I really hope I have a timely funeral. Yes, I know it's kind of morbid, but it seems like so many people lately just get carted around for weeks before they're actually buried.

Most recently, it was Anna Nicole Smith. She died February 8th and won't be buried until tomorrow, March 2nd. Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock for the past month knows at least a little something about this (it seemed like that was all the media could talk about for a while). Anyway, the court battle took so long that they were beginning to worry about her body decomposing before there could be a viewing/memorial service. But, three weeks later, the decision was finally made and her body was released. She'll be buried not beside but on top of her son in the Bahamas.

Another is James Brown, who died Christmas Day and has still not been buried two months later. His family had problems almost identical to Anna Nicole Smith. There were lots of DNA tests involved, and court hearings, but his six children have finally decided where he is to be buried after two months.

All of this puts me in mind of medieval times (strange leap, I know, but go with me). Back then, the church would pay ridiculous amounts of money for the bones of saints (back in the day, these were the celebrities). It was a constant fight for those bits and pieces of bone and hair or whatever was left after those poor holy people were divided up and dispersed.

So I guess things never really change. I mean, is there really much difference in James Brown's gold casket and this?