Worldbuilding Prompt #946 - The Recycling Cemetery

This post was inspired by a writing prompt in the Worldbuilding Community - Worldbuilding Prompt #946 - Graves

Enjoy !

"Welcome to the Worldcemetery of Octopus VIII"

That's what the sign on the gate read. Jokar walked through the open iron gate, up the short wide marble staircase and into the building. He found himself in a huge hall, filled with sound like waves on a distant sea; the blended voices of a thousand people all speaking in hushed tones.

Stepping up to the next available autobooth, he started to speak at it.

"Good day, can you tell me more..."

The voice which responded was quiet and calming, deliberately designed to be that way. It was also deliberately mechanical. This whole place was designed to reduce the emotional burden on grieving families.

"Hello... sir. This is the Worldcemetery. As you know, Octopus VIII was one of the first worlds settled by the Empire, and is one of the most densely populated. With space at a premium, Administration decided this was the best way to respectfully deal with our deceased."

This was clearly a standard lecture, and Jokar tried not to let his impatience show.

"All deceased people are placed into titanium re-usable coffins. After the service of departure, the coffins are moved onto an elevator. As you know the Worldcemetery is the one and only facility allowed to inter people on this planet. We are sited over the volcano of Morbion. The elevator lowers the coffins with great respect into proximity with the heart of the volcano, and as the chain passes the bottom of the great wheel of sorrow the coffin is inverted and emptied ready for it's next use. Each coffin lid is primed with charcoal to allow the dear departed to be reborn in the heart of the volcano after many years in the form of diamonds."

As soon as it finished, Jokatr asked the question he really wanted the answer to.

"So how often are coffins re-used ?"

The machine whirred for a second. Clearly this was not a question that was in it's standard repertoire.

"Coffins take approximately three days to descend, three to return, plus a day for automated cleaning. Does that answer your question ?"

"Yes. Thank you. I'll bring my brother's body here tomorrow for the service."

"Very good. Have a nice day."

It was later that day. Jokar sat back in his chair in the dingy one-room apartment as Petar passed a beer over.

"You told the machine what ? That it was your brother ? Good one !" Petar laughed, a harsh guttural sound.

"We'll drop him off tomorrow. The drugs should wear off in two or three days. Bastard will never welch on a debt again. Once we've dropped him off, we'll sell his daughter to The Tentacles. That should cover Marik's debt to us."

Three days later, Marik woke up. It was pitch black, and he felt searingly hot metal against his skin. He was in some kind of confined space, a box maybe.

"Hey ! Guys ! I'll pay you back ! Honest, I promise ! You can let me out now, I've learned my lesson !"

There was a clank. The box tilted and the lid came open. Before Marik's eyes melted, he saw the molten lava below him. Scrabbling to stay in the smooth-sided coffin didn't save him....