New Burial Trends: Putting the Fun in Funeral

Posted on by

Have you heard of these new funeral trends? A recent article in the New York Times shows a woman casually sitting at the table, beer can and menthol cigarette in hand.  She seems to be enjoying life, except she’s dead.  Apparently the newest trend in funerals is to decorate the deceased in either their favorite living pastime or living dreams. Funeral homes around the country are taking on this new option, but it is a not so new idea.  The article mentions Willie Stokes Jr., a notable gambler, who at his wake was propped up in a casket made to look like a Cadillac, wheels and all.  He was positioned with his hands on the steering wheel and holding $1000 bills, according to an article run in 1986 by the Chicago tribune.

source: New York Times

Louis Charbonnet, at her funeral. Source: New York Times

Willie Stokes Jr.

Willie Stokes Jr.

How about this one: know a person who loves their pet so much it becomes their child?  Well according to this story heard on NPR, a new law in Virginia gave cemeteries the green light to bury their owners next to their beloved pets.  Make sure you call them now though, there’s already a waiting list and plots being reserved.  There doesn’t seem to be a limit on how many pets (or pet plots) can be reserved either, the article mentions one man who wishes to be buried next to his 11 dogs.  No word yet on whether California will adapt their pet/human burial laws but many other states such as New York and Ohio have already amended theirs.

This gets us in the mood to watch some Stephen King:

Heard of (or been to) any other not so traditional funerals? Let us know in the comments below!

Friday the 13th in Los Angeles: ‘Christine’, Spooky Night Hike & Lights-Out Rock Climb

Posted on by

Don’t miss John Carpenters demonic auto possessed horror classic, ‘Christine’, screening at Pershing Square.

As we prepare for our busy fall season, we also prepare for an extra eerie Friday the 13th , which will bring us a mysterious full moon, an event that will not repeat itself for another 35 years! And if you don’t plan on turning into a werewolf at the first sight of the full moon, we’ve found some choice events that fit this ghostly happening.

For a taste of midnight cliff climbing, strap on your headlamp, glowsticks and zombie survival kit, then take to the walls in this creepy lights-out indoor rock climb. The folks at ROCKreation Gym LA in Santa Monica are a doing a lights out vertical zombie walk in tribute to Friday the 13th. And don’t forget to put on your creepiest look fit for the occasion for their spooktacular costume contest.

For those who prefer to spend Friday the 13th relaxing in the comfort of the great outdoors and take in a spooky evening movie instead, check out John Carpenters 1983 horror masterpiece, ‘Christine’, about a classic ’58 Plymouth Fury named Christine who takes on the personality of a jealous girlfriend and will do anything to protect her nerdish owner. Screening at Pershing Square, in downtown Los Angeles.

And finally, there exists among us, a brave breed of souls who wish to venture out into the night, relishing in the thought of risking their lives and succumbing to the strange happenings on Friday the 13th. And to these courageous individuals, we suggest the Full Moon Friday the 13th Night Hike and Potluck. Spend the evening scampering around the trails of Griffith Park in this 5 mile round trip night hike featuring a communal pot luck at the top of the mountain. Don’t forget to take your Jello-filled brain molds, conveniently available at your very own Dapper Cadaver!

full moon image

Summer Horror Movies and Scary Sleepaway Camp

Posted on by

School’s out for summer! For all you horror shock rock fans, here’s a clip of rock & roll’s original Prince of Darkness, Alice Cooper, performing ‘School’s Out’, from 1972.

Summer is here, and it’s finally time to ditch the books, homework and hours of detention for European vacations, fun in the sun, beach blanket bingo and horror camp, for those of us who like to be spooked all year ‘round.

It’s also time to make way for a few new summer horror films that will definitely shake things up. The highly anticipated The Purge: Anarchy comes at us on June 18th and this time takes us into the streets for the 12 hours of lawless mayhem. Rounding out summer horror films is Deliver Us from Evil, slated for a July 2nd release, is hoping to bring out all the fans of its prequel, Sinister, for more disturbing delights.

Finally for those of you who want to live out your real horror fantasies in the real Sleepaway Camp, make sure not to miss The Great Horror Campout this weekend, a real life horror themed camp, complete with flesh eating zombies and midnight axe wielders, only this time, the campers are the prey. Especially watch out for the bloody weapons and props being wielded in your direction. See if you can spot horror props provided by Dapper Cadaver!

Stay cool and creepy this summer and if you happen to be a midnight flesh eating zombie, make sure to slather on that SPF 1000 sunblock if you have to go out during daylight hours. There’s nothing scary about a zombie with a sunburn.

 

Beach Zombie