{"id":15935,"date":"2024-01-01T09:12:55","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T14:12:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.talkdeath.com\/?p=15935"},"modified":"2024-01-01T14:54:44","modified_gmt":"2024-01-01T19:54:44","slug":"top-death-and-dying-news-stories-of-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talkdeath.com\/top-death-and-dying-news-stories-of-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top Death and Dying News Stories of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since 2019, no year has really felt normal<\/em>, and 2023 is no different. Covid continues disrupting our lives, the war in Ukraine grinds on, and new conflicts are some of the most destructive in history<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This year we shared important news related to death and dying, including incorruptible bodies<\/a>, violence against the trans community<\/a>, and the legalization of human composting (some good news!).<\/p>\n

Join us as we look back on our year in death.<\/p>\n

The Top Death and Dying News Stories of 2023<\/h2>\n

\"talkdeath<\/p>\n

Green Burial Wins\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Before the start of 2023, human composting, or natural organic reduction (NOR) was legal in five states (Washington, Oregon, California, Vermont, and Colorado). In 2023, both New York and Nevada legalized the practice, making a total of seven states where NOR is now legal.<\/p>\n

Legislation is being proposed in a few additional states, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts. If you are passionate about introducing NOR to your state, you can find great resources at Return Home<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Colorado Funeral Home Owners Arrested for Decaying Bodies\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"Sheriff

Image via KOAA NEWS5<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

In October, neighbors of the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado (not associated with any green burial facilities) called in complaints about a strong odor coming from the building. An investigation uncovered 187 bodies in the abandoned building without proper refrigeration.<\/p>\n

Many of the bodies that were identified in the facility had been falsely claimed to have been cremated, and family members had even received \u201ccremated remains\u201d of the bodies. Since the discovery, families began lawsuits against the facility over intentionally inflicting emotional distress, negligence, fraud and violating a number of Colorado laws.<\/p>\n

In November, Jon and Carie Hallford, the owners of the Return to Nature Funeral Home, were arrested on four felony charges, including abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering and forgery, according to a statement from the district attorney for Colorado’s 4th judicial district.<\/a><\/p>\n

While this story may elicit a response of disgust or confusion, we think it also highlights the importance of regulated standards in death care practices, so this abuse doesn\u2019t happen in the future.<\/p>\n

Trans Violence & Death\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"320

A global map of all murders tracked by the project since 2008, with heat signatures showing where the most have occured Captured – 12\/11\/2023 TGEU’S<\/a> TRANS MURDER MONITORING<\/p><\/div>\n

320 trans and gender-diverse people were killed this year around the world, according to a new monitoring report<\/a>. This means violence directly incited against trans people due to transphobia and transmisogyny, and this number does not include those who were lost to suicide or illnesses that they may be disproportionately impacted by (due to a high intersection of disabilities, poverty, and health conditions within the trans community).<\/p>\n

94% of the trans people killed were trans women, and at least 80% were trans women of color. The US and Latin America had the highest percentages of these violent crimes, and many of the victims were between the ages of 19 to 25.<\/p>\n

With the increase in anti-trans rhetoric and legislation across the world, but specifically in the US and UK, it is not surprising to see violence against trans folks, trans women, and racialized trans women in particular.<\/p>\n

While troubling, these statistics can hopefully inspire an effort to bring dignified death care to those facing this horrible violence. We have explored many topics related to trans death care for you to check out.<\/p>\n