Designing for Life and Death

Sustainable Disposition and Spaces of Remembrance in the 21st Century Metropolis

What we do with the physical and incorporeal remains of our dead reflects the character of the living. The environmental toll of traditional burial and cremation, changing social norms, and spatial limitations within our rapidly growing cities demand alternative mortuary designs that change the way we honor our deceased.

Our Objectives

1. To present and discuss feasible solutions to
   a) the scarcity of urban cemetery space,
   b) resource consumption, soil and air pollution,
   c) the changing role of faith and diverse needs for memorialization among 21st century urban residents.

2. To engage relevant stakeholders in a productive dialogue about the opportunities and challenges of realizing innovative solutions to the disposition of human remains and the design of respectful, public spaces of remembrance - with NYC serving as a model for addressing these issues in the US and globally.

9:00 AM: Registration
9:30 AM: Welcome
9:35 AM: Introductory Remarks
9:45 AM: Why What We Do with Our Dead Matters
9:55 AM: How Death is Situated in 21st Century Urban Life
10:15 AM: What is going on Elsewhere - Global Cities Overview
10:35 AM: Science of Alternative Corpse Disposition
10:50 AM: Comments/Questions
11:10 AM: Break
11:25 AM: Legal & Regulatory Challenges of Disposition Methods
11:40 AM: Vision for Change: Urban Spaces of Remembrance
12:10 PM: Comments/Questions
12:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 PM: Stakeholders’ Perspective - Funeral Services & Spiritual Care
2:15 PM: Stakeholders’ Perspective - Civic Life
3:00 PM: Break
3:15 PM: Accomplishing Sustainable, Innovative Urban Change
4:00 PM: Round Table Discussion / Strategizing Next Steps
4:30 PM: Wine Reception