i think the ipod and earbuds thing is really interesting ... i mean, i can picture someone doing that for a teen that might have died of some terminal illness or an accident ... sorta to preserve them as they were in life.

i don't know about the cell phone thing. i'm sure there is some environmental dangers of just burying a cell phone ... but this does make me think of the movie Better Luck Tomorrow ...

Not that it would happen in this day and age, but remember when the Victorians would have a bell next to the grave with a string attached to it, in case they were buried alive?

Also, assuming some of these people get dug up by archeologist in a thousand years, if the device is still there it might tell them quite a bit about our society (and our obsession with tech).

I don't think I will be able to take any more calls at that point....so why??? Unless people have a fear of coming back to life, only to find they have already been buried...

I don't find the idea creepy and morbid, but I just don't feel such a strong affinity to my technology that it needs to be with me while I am deceased.

Like CoralAmber, my first thought was of the "buried alive!" bells. That would be a perfect reason to have your cell join you in the grave. Although, I have to wonder, will I get reception 6 feet under? Because that makes a difference!

(Will future anthropologists dig up graves will cell phones and assume it's a modernization of the bell function?)

LOL! What for? It's not like I'll need it where I'm going.

I like my cell phone and ipod a lot, but this trend seems odd to me. I agree with brookberrys. It's not like they're really of use at that point.

I think there was an Egyption blogger (chisler?) Writing about the same thing 4000 years ago except it was more like:

What do you guys think? Would you want to be buried with your servents and animals? Comforting going on to the next life? I mean I can see painting a picture of your passage to the next world on the inside of your tomb, but is taking your (not yet dead) entourage with you too much? It might be cool to have the court musicians there to play while they seal the tomb, but isn't it a little creepy to have your internal organs held in jars around your body, waiting to be put back in??

hahahah.

Ooosh no on the cell phone..

This is bizarre and a bit disturbing. I can see the symbolism in it but, I think it's just totally unnecessary. It would also cause the earth damage, most definitely. I think it's just a big no-no and weird.

Here's a more morbid thought: I can imagine a whole lot more grave robbing happening if more people were buried with expensive gadgets like iphones, ipods, maybe even laptops. We've all heard stories of expensive heirlooms being buried with people, but not everyone has expensive heirlooms, a lot more people have gadgets. Plus, the thought of stealing a gadget off a dead body probably wouldn't feel as creepy as stealing clothing or jewelry, since there aren't ghost stories about haunted ipods (Although... I feel a bad story idea coming on... hee).

Also, the batteries will discharge itself over time even without use, but that's neither here nor there.

Considering that the percentage of people that are buried with their cell phones is actually fairly small, I'd imagine that the impact on the earth would be fairly small. However, I'd hope that if this is something that becomes a big enough trend that it would become common practice to remove whatever element that causes the phone to be any more damaging to the earth than an empty plastic shell of a phone.

As for this being "creepy," while I can't imagine myself ever being buried with my phone or iPod, I can imagine wanting to be dressed up in my best clothes while wearing my favorite jewelry (though in all honesty, when I go I'll be cremated, but that's beside the point). For CENTURIES, humans have been buried with their prized possessions, their money, flowers, pictures of their families, etc. Sure, the subject itself is morbid, but it's not terribly surprising or unusual when you consider how old this practice really is.

I can understand it to an extent...but honestly, the decaying body even breaks down the caskets themselves. Everything will be covered in decomposing human...fluid...which will break down the cellphone and it's components to be reabsorbed into the Earth.

Would I be buried with my cellphone? NO, absolutely not. I like the idea of the iPod, which is sweet to do...bury someone with their favorite songs playing -- but the same things apply, all the chemicals released into the soil can cause a lot of harm for future generations.

its perfect for people who have the fear of being buried alive, but it seems kinda ridiculous.
i love the idea of being buried listening to music though!

N/A since I don't want to be buried, but the thought of not being able to separate yourself from your freaking cell phone, even after death, is kind of sad.

I won't be buried! I want to be cremated and being cremated with an expensive (and lithium battery) device is a recipe for DISASTER. ;p

Photos of loved ones please.

i agree that the ipod and earbuds in interesting and i think it has more meaning than a cell phone otherwise i feel like you should be buried without your material possessions you wont be needing them anymore...