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Dead but Not Gone


  In the settlement of Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Norway you are not allowed to die.


  That might sound great but in reality, it is because of a dangerous problem. An explanation is in order. Longyearbyen is one of the northernmost places on Earth with any semblance of permanent residents, so it is very cold.  Now death can occur there like any other place but residences are not allowed to be kept there. Since the earth is so cold the bodies do not decompose. This is dangerous since also what might have killed them stays as well. For example, persons that died of the 1917 Spanish flu were found to still have the virus strain alive in their bodies. This could lead to the return of long-gone diseases. The spread could cause worldwide epidemics.

  So the cemetery closed in 1930, accepting no future burials. The population is generally kept young; there's no elder housing in the area. If you get deathly ill, you will be airlifted to the nearest regional hospital, two hours away.

  It is dangerous to keep something that should be buried and gone around.

  Often we let conflict pain and grudges linger long after they should have been disposed of. This action could be deadly not only to us but to everyone around us. That is why Jesus teaches us in Mark 11:25,  "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.”

  Let's make sure thing that things that should be buried are not allowed to remain around in our cold unforgiving hearts. There is a time to let go and move on. Bury the grudge. And let it fade away.

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