Tibetan Sky Burial

[Ya Sam]

Macabre, especially if it were described by a writer like Pynchon

"The general custom of a sky burial is that, after death the body is propped 
up in a seated position. A monk is employed to chant to the newly released 
spirit, instructing it on correct behaviour and how to make a successful 
journey through the transitional state of the Bardo to the next rebirth 
cycle.[13] The ritual chant normally takes three days. Once finished, the 
body is tied into a foetal position and carried on a relative’s back to the 
nearest charnel grounds. Here, the head is shaved and then the butchers 
begin. They open up the body, take out the internal organs, disarticulate 
the limbs and cut the flesh into small pieces. The bones are pounded into 
powder and mixed with water to make tsampa-like balls.[14] Once finished, 
the vultures are summoned to accept the offering, while dogs and other small 
carnivorous animals clean up.[15] The cremated remains of high lamas were 
often pounded into fine ash, mixed with medicinal substances and then added 
to clay, which was then used to make small votive plaques for personal 
shrines."

http://epress.anu.edu.au/nts/mobile_devices/ch08.html

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