Sci-fi plus cremation? Popular British sci-fi show Doctor Who may be the first sci-fi to make cremation a central part of a plot line. The long-running and beloved show courted controversy recently, prompting the BBC to issue a response to dozens of viewers who took umbrage at the cremation-centered plot.

The episode entitled “Dark Water” revolved around the notion that people remain conscious and can feel pain even after death, with characters hypothesizing that, contrary to conventional wisdom an scientific fact, deceased individuals feel the pain of cremation. The episode in question drew criticism from 133 viewers, who complained about the show’s controversial cremation plot.

The BBC has responded in defense of the episode and the context in which the questionable concept was presented. An official statement from the BBC reads:

“Doctor Who is a family drama with a long tradition of tackling some of the more fundamental questions about life and death. We were mindful of the themes explored in Dark Water and are confident that they are appropriate in the context of the heightened sci-fi world of the show.”

According to the BBC, the fact that Dr. Who dismisses the idea that the dead can feel the pain of cremation demonstrates that the show isn’t giving credence to such an outlandish and impossible notion. Considering that 5 million viewers watched the episode in question and only a tiny fraction of those viewers made complaints, the network is confident that the show wasn’t irresponsible.

It’s amazing to think that even a work of science fiction must be held to the same rules as a scientific study. The viewer’s complaints of “Dark Water” highlights the value and importance we place on science when it comes to questions of life and death. Perhaps the biggest impact of Dr. Who and other sci-fi shows is that it gets us to ask the big questions in the first place. What happens after we die? Could we go back and do it all over again? We may not know what happens to our consciousness, or soul, after we die, but we do know a few hard facts about what happens to our bodies.

Cremation Facts

• Cremation has become just as popular as burial in the U.S. Its popularity will continue to grow in the near future.
• Costs of cremation is a fraction of the price of a traditional burial. It doesn’t require a casket, burial plot, or memorial service.
• The cremation process takes just a few hours to complete. Most cremation facilities allow family members to witness the cremation.
• Cremating uses heat to reduce the body to ashes and bone fragments. Larger pieces are ground into powder and added to the rest of the remains.
• During the cremation process, the remains are tagged with the appropriate ID. They are then monitored for safety and security.
• After the process is complete, the cremated remains are transferred to a simple container or urn of choice. Family members can pick up the remains or have them shipped.

Want more facts about cremation? Smart Cremation’s staff members help provide the answers to your questions. We help you plan a cremation to meet your needs. Contact us for more info: (503) 402-2578 .