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Questions/Question 322

Is there anything we should know about Kartesian burial practices? Are these bodies shrouded or casketed? Is anyone attending the lowering of the body into the grave?

Karterian burial practices are variable among family preferences, and can be both shrouded or casketed. Cremation is an option; it is very expensive to do. For many families, bodies are ideally displayed, shrouded or not, for the funeral procession; then, they are buried and lowered into a grave with family present.

Unfortunately, things have changed and this "ideal" cannot be fulfilled for most citizens anymore. Funerals/memorials are held; for bodies that are in good condition, Karterians prefer to hold a viewing. (Shrouding happens for those who succumb to illness especially; even if the person's appearance is fine, this is largely customary.) But after this, they have to surrender the body to their gravediggers.

Prior to the arrival of the Augmented a few months ago, there were some small amount of well-paid gravediggers who would venture beyond the city's barrier for this task. These same people, if found, will show themselves to be from a poorer family; they will also be sick with arcane radiation, attempting to earn money for their family's benefit at the expense of their well-being. It was a highly-demanded job, and scarcely enough hands to perform it. With the Augmented here, now these off-site burials can be performed more readily; morgues can be unburdened, the queue of bodies finally laid to rest.

In short, this is why the Augmented don't directly attend the aggrieved in this quest doled out by the Velvet Claw. The families have grieved; they cannot safely visit the grave sites, they know. It's become more normal to have loved ones buried where their graves can't be visited, given the lack of available land within the barrier. But someday, Karterians will hope they can safely venture beyond the city.