It’s time to cremate grandma. But what’s to come of the perfectly usable metal hip replacement she leaves behind? For the residents of several English cities, the answer lies in public signage.
After being cremated, bodies might leave behind all sorts of harvestable metal goods: hip joints, plates, screws, fillings — whatever you got, they want. Because with repurposing being all the rage, crematoriums will then melt down the metal and turn it into a variety of public fixtures, with road signs, lampost poles and safety barriers being just a few. The families, of course, have to agree to turn the deceased into public property, and any proceeds the crematorium makes are generally donated to a charity of their choice.
Not everyone is on board with the idea, though, as one source at a crematorium tells the Post “some people want to keep the metal items”, because what better way to keep the memories alive than by using grandpa’s leg as a doorstep. So the next time you see a stop sign, take a moment to thank those selfless families that donated their beloved’s shiny bits. And for those of you with a stolen road sign hanging above your bed, sleep tight tonight. [The Post]
Picture: Shutterstock/Kzenon