Archive of Our Own

INTRODUCTION

Upon arrival at 40 Eridani A b (‘Erid’), and after extending diplomatic friendship from all peoples of Earth to the Eridian population, it is the tertiary purpose of the Bluebird mission to, if possible and practicable, repatriate to Earth the remains of Dr. Capt. Ryland Grace of the Hail Mary. As such, crew members should be aware of the similarities and differences between the generally accepted cultural customs regarding death, funerary rites, and body disposal on Earth and on Erid. 

The most likely scenarios regarding the disposal of Dr Grace’s remains are as follows:

1. His body was interred or cremated according to the early-to-mid-21st-century Human customs of his culture, or;
2. His body was apportioned and consumed according to the Southern Equatorial Eridian customs of his shipmate and life partner ‘Rocky’. 
3. His body was treated according to a combination of these customs. 

The purpose of this brief is to provide relevant mission specialists with background information on Eridian funerary endocannibalism and a decision tree to follow upon arrival at Erid. Understanding of this information may be crucial in avoiding the potentiality for any cultural misunderstandings to occur over such a delicate and emotionally charged topic.

BACKGROUND

The information library of Eridian culture and customs contained in the recently-arrived Smooth-Textured Xenonite-Carbon Alloy Cylindrical Deep-Space Probe provides a cultural and historical overview of funeral and mortuary practices in several predominant Eridian cultures. The majority of these practices involve endocannibalism of the deceased by family and community members. According to the Eridian Information Library (EIL), prior to Erid’s own astrophage crisis these practices had tended closer to the symbolic. However, food insecurity and political and social instability during this crisis became the catalysts for a recent resurgence in funerary cannibalism, which was still enjoying popularity at the time of the probe’s launch. 

The Southern Equatorial Eridian funerary customs most likely to be associated with ‘Rocky’, and thus applicable to the remains of Dr Grace, generally involve dismemberment of the body soon after death and the subsequent and immediate consumption of the flesh and internal organs. The apportioning of ‘meals’ is based on social status, familial authority and one’s relationship to the deceased. It is difficult to posit exactly how this practice might be translated to a Human body plan, but as Dr Grace was evidently a highly-regarded cultural figure on Erid, it is reasonable to assume that an attempt to do so may have been made. 

It is also important to mention a well-documented and recurring issue in the study and use of the EIL; the Human lack of cultural context with regards to Eridian practices. The EIL is evidently designed to provide Humans with knowledge of what is done on Erid, not what is not done; that is to say, there are minimal references or explanations of actions which might cause offense, excepting established differences regarding major taboos (i.e. eating).

Within the context of the Bluebird mission and its tertiary purpose, this limitation means that it is difficult to tell how much offense it might cause to ask about funerary preparations and/or rituals, request to participate in them, or attempt to influence them in any way. As such, the topic of the repatriation of Dr Grace’s remains must be approached with as much diplomatic caution as possible. 

OPERATIONS

1. Confirm deceased status of Dr. Capt. Ryland Grace. 
2. Confirm location(s) of remains.
• If in multiple locations and reunification is impractical, it is acceptable to return to Earth with partial remains.
• If retrieval of remains is impossible due to location, it is acceptable to return to Earth with no remains.
3. Confirm status of remains. 
• If it is reported that all remains have been consumed, it is acceptable to return to Earth with no remains. 
• If it is reported that any or all of the remains are still physically accessible, request to view them if possible. The EIL indicates that such a request is not likely to cause offence; however, crew members should use their discretion.
4. If remains are accessible, confirm current Eridian ownership.
• If privately owned, liaise with individual owners. If practicable and appropriate, offer to provide compensation for repatriation (see: mission briefing on Currency & Compensation). 
• If publicly/collectively owned, seek sympathetic or appropriate Eridian representative(s) to ‘thrum’ on behalf of Bluebird mission members, or on behalf of humanity as a whole.
5. Request repatriation of remains. 
• If this request causes offence, desist immediately.
• If this request requires discussion between parties or organisations, do not attempt to interfere with discussions except to provide information and clarification where necessary and/or requested by Eridian representatives.
• If this request is granted, show gratitude (see: mission briefing on Gift-giving on Erid).
6. Return remains to designated mortuary receptacle on Bluebird (see: Bluebird floor plan; Bluebird Mortuary Receptacle usage guidelines). Suitable for both wet and dry remains + cremains, with adjustment. 

OTHER BEHAVIOURAL & ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MISSION SPECIALISTS

• This is a difficult topic to discuss and to contemplate. Mental health support is available; whilst still in communication range of Earth, contact the Bluebird flight surgeon on duty. For the rest of the mission’s duration, discuss your feelings with your fellow crew members and heed any instructions from the medical node.
• If Dr. Capt. Ryland Grace has left instructions for the care or disposal of his remains which contradict the information provided in this brief, and you are able to confirm that these instructions are genuine, follow them if possible and retain/record them for posterity. 
• If you cannot confirm or are unsure of the veracity of instructions allegedly originating from Dr Grace, see: mission briefing on Disinformation & Misrepresentation on Erid.
• If at all possible, do not show disgust. It may be crucial to the future of the Earth-Erid diplomatic relationship that mission specialists follow behavioural guidelines.