Japan

Japanese customs honored during disaster.

roundup! time for a roundup!

Mexican gang shrines @ CNN

New art comic on death @ A Softer World

Videos of funeral and cobra rituals in India, Japanese woman publishes book full of text messages sent to her dead husband's cell phone, and Simulated crime-scene bathroom accessories @ BoingBoing.

boingboing on GOOD magazine blog

The maker mindset on the DIY funeral movement at GOOD.

I really think that this new era is going to be defined by instructables-enabled mindset rather than embracing a maker ethos. It's why paint-by-numbers sell so well ;)

boingboing roundup, because original content is just so much work sometimes.

Build a coffin out of Ikea parts. Classier than the original featured in Readymade magazine by the same artist.

Recycle, reduce, reheat that pizza!

Do we really need EcoPods anymore now that Bill Nye the Science Guy can help you manufacture recycled paper at home?

Seductive furniture made from coffin parts.

Apparently novelty coffins are big in Africa. They honor the occupation of the deceased, like this taxi driver.

What a lovely coffee table, honey--and so much storage!

DIY Funerals via boingboing

Victorian photography

Post mortem photos on eBay via Coilhouse.

Morty's Valentine's Day Shopping Guide

1. Antiques
The Funk House antique store in downtown Las Vegas always seems to have a selection of coffins and more retro embalming tables than you can shake a cold, ashy fist at.

Take a virtual tour, come visit during First Friday festivities (gallery night) where they take center stage or, you know-unload your funerary crap on them!








2. Jewelry
Another great stop is Sunspot Designs. Their selection of jewelry made from human bones is unparalleled. The artist was previously based out of New Orleans, where her amazing sculptures made with full human skeletons used to be in her home. Let's hope it wasn't all washed away in the flood!

3. DIY

Nothing says love like a handmade Minty Beating Heart. Green and affordable!