In the United States and I believe parts of Canada, we have this weird terror of decay. We want to "protect" our loved ones from the earth, the water, and all the little critters that live deep down in it, so we spend money on concrete burial vaults that surround the casket/coffin in the earth and "protect" it, and we buy expensive steel and metal caskets that will supposedly never leak. Whether or not they ever will is another issue. All too often, the casket is seen as a symbol of one's socio-economic status. The quality of casket chosen is also seen as somehow reflective of how much you loved the person. At least that's what I've seen culturally at funerals over the years.
When I bought my parents' burial lots in my hometown cemetery, I bought one for myself as well. Since vaults are required with traditional burials, I may opt to have my ashes interred there. I'd like some sort of Pagan symbol on my headstone, such as a triquetra, or a triple moon, both of which are less well-known as Pagan symbols than the pentacle. I'd also like some kind of gay pride symbol as well.
Otherwise, I may sell my lot or give it to a sibling, and just have my ashes scattered in various locales that have some significance to me.
As for Pagan-oriented funeral rites, I don't know much about this. If you aren't part of an incorporated Pagan organization, and have no clergy to officiate, you may have to make up your own service and find someone who'd be willing to read it. If you're the only Pagan in your family, make your wishes known, lest your corpse wind up in the sanctuary of First Baptist or St. Joe's, complete with scripture readings and other horrors.
I'd love to have some Pagan chants said at my service, and some Pagan prayers and such. If there's no one available or willing to do it, though, a secular service with poetry readings is the next best thing.
Rev. Selena Fox has started a Pagan cemetery in Wisconsin called Circle Cemetery, and she can officiate at a green burial there. Not exactly sure of the link, but think it's
www.circlesanctuary.org.
