Tamara T – Philadelphia

I guess I haven’t spent a lot of time talking about it. I have a slight fear of death. My mom is petrified of dying and refuses to even discuss it. I grew up like that. I’m a little better, I can at least have this conversation. I guess I always thought I’d be scattered – my uncle died recently and was sprinkled over the ocean and everyone gathered around and it was nice. Another part of me thinks it’s okay to stay whole and put into the ground and just become part of the earth again.

I would like a funeral and for people to get together. I’d like my body there, whether it’s cremated or whatever. I lean more towards being cremated because a couple of other people in my family have done it.

I don’t really care where I’d be buried or scattered. I haven’t thought about it in any way. Wherever I end up is fine, wherever the people who take care of it want me to be is okay.

Age: 44 at time of interview

Religious Affiliation: Raised Jewish, no longer practice (agnostic)

Occupation: Technician that does art and historic artifact conservation

Location: Born in Florida, lived several places, now in Philadelphia