Gothic Horror Challenge 2010

[laudomia]

Comments

[patricia_writes]

Wow, what an interesting thing to do! It does actually seem quite loving to do that for someone. It looks peaceful, but I'll take your word that it's creepy.

[laudomia]

When you're surrounded by a thousand skulls with flowers and writing on their foreheads, believe me, it's creepy. What I found so ironic, though, is the idea that a proper "Christian" burial involved severed heads and giving back bodies to the water. Oh, and let's not forget digging up remains of people whose relatives couldn't pay to keep them planted!

[roseofthewest]

The care of our loved ones' remains is an important duty. Ermatrude's (and her neighbors') methods seem a bit odd to me, but the concept behind them is quite beautiful.

[laudomia]

Those skulls didn't work for me. I was there with my small son. I could just imagine saying, "Look, honey, there's Grandma and Grandpa. You remember them, don't you?" *points at gold-capped teeth and empty eye sockets* "One day, we'll all be here..." Yikes.

[gelsey]

That is kind of creepy, and yet I find myself morbidly interested. I'm going to have to find a book to read on that. Good job!

[laudomia]

The bone house in Hallstatt isn't a huge place. For the top-of-the-line ossuary, there's this: http://www.kennethdepoorter.be/photos/places/sedlec-ossuary/ Check out the bone chandelier, the skull swags, and the coat of arms--"bones artistically arranged to form decorations and furnishings."

[laceymoibella]

I love how you took a ritual that acutally occurs and wrote a piece about it. I find it fascinating but I will take your word on it about it being creepy to be surrounded by skulls.

[laudomia]

Sometimes the things people really do are gothic enough. I've been to catacombs with bits and pieces of people in niches, but they weren't decorated and named, intended for viewing. And just the heads...?

[sophierom]

Very interesting info about thebeinhaus! But what I especially appreciated about this piece was how you compared views of life and death in so few words. Karl's love of life and Ermatrude's devotion are interesting contrasts to the cold and practical approach of the church with its small cemetery!

[laudomia]

The cemetery is small due to geography. It's set on the edge of a mountain; there's no place to expand. The "cold and practical approach of the church" was what gave me pause. I could see why they'd have to make room for recent deaths, but the pay-or-get-out business seemed way too venal.