so i hiked up to the top of a mountain and saw a really big rock that was kind of spiky and looked really cool, so i climbed up the the top of it, it was really dusty and i didn't think much of it so i brushed away the dust and sat on top of the rock while i ate my lunch, after i finished eating i stood up and looked down between me feet, then i saw it. there was a little dog tag that said: southwest crematorium. i panicked and left in a hurry.

what should i do?

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[–] 49 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Wash your hands and then go on about your day. You didn't defile a corpse, you disturbed a "final" resting place. The next rain would have done it anyways, nothing to worry about.

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  • [–] 14 points 1 year ago* (2 children)

    you disturbed a “final” resting place

    This is how Stephen King novels start... Watch your back OP! :)

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  • [–] [S] 10 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    alright thanks that helps a lot

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago

    Having scattered loved ones ashes before, I find this kind of funny. Once the embarrassment wears off, you may find it funny too.

    The person wanted to be left up there where they were, and they may have been glad to share the spot with you while you had lunch.

    Be sure to wash your britches though.

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  • [–] 22 points 1 year ago

    You didn’t defile anything, if anything you fulfilled why they would have wanted their ashes scattered in that vicinity. They likely enjoyed that spot for the same reasons you did and would probably be glad that you found it too

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  • [–] 20 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Wait......wait......wait

    You brushed the dust BEFORE you ate your lunch? And since you're hiking I'm guessing you didn't wash your hands after you brushed away the dust?

    Dude......I think you might have eaten some of someone's dead relative.

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  • [–] 15 points 1 year ago

    The corpse doesn't care.

    All that's really significant are the people who care for it.

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  • [–] 22 points 1 year ago

    Crematorium ? then there's no corpse, there must have been ashes instead. Given it's a mountaintop, they've probably been scattered, if not by the relatives, at least by wind and rain. I understand your distress, but I think it's actually positive that this person still impacts the world, in a way, after they're gone. It impacted you, and then it impacted me. And who knows whom I'll tell this story next. You made that dead guy live on ! cheers

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  • [–] 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    i accidentally defiled a corpse

    For a second I was sure I was going to read a post about a dude having sex with a corpse. By "accident" of course... 😉

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    [–] 4 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    What did you have for lunch?

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    Like others have said, you didn't do anything wrong. Maybe say a prayer or light a candle for the person and their family if you're the praying type, but otherwise, don't worry about it too much.

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