death

Volunteers of Paris based association Les morts de la rue (dead in the streets) take in charge and assist funeral services of homeless and lonely people who otherwise would have nobody to assist their funerals. During the funerals, volunteers read a text they prepared, based on the few informations (name, date of birth, city of birth, activity...) they managed to gather about the dead person. They bring a little humanity and dignity to the funeral service.

Burying your loved ones at sea is meaningful and affordable. Although several religions are not too keen on scattering ashes at sea, many people and their families choose the everlasting infinity of the ocean for their last physical and symbolic journey. It’s not only for marine veterans and seamen. Janis Joplin did it, and, if the law in your country allows it, so can you: in California for instance, several companies offer the service for less than USD 100.

We were in heavy waves, and the body surfing was great. He was 10. I wanted him to know what it was like to get past the kiddy shallows. I wanted him to want to be strong by knowing his own strength, the strength of the world, and all that he had to grow into. So, we went far out to where the waves were their biggest, and there was a riptide, pulling at our feet. When a pair of waves would crash in, the surface of the water was moving toward the shore while the bottom layer was retreating into the sea.

Behind this beautiful picture there is a very sad story. This is the "water memorial" to the pro surfer Emery Kauanui, 24, died on May 28th 2007, four days after a post-bar brawl on May 24th. in the picture you can see the exact moment when his mother throw the ashes in the sea surrounded by the whole surfing community of San Diego.

PHOTOGRAPH COPYRIGHT: K.C. ALFRED. SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS

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