Solutionaries: Preparing for the end of your life, decisions we should make today

Busy Body Bees

Bees can help investigators solve murders.

How, you ask? In Virginia, these tiny scientists could be carrying vital clues back from a body farm - helping teach and inform the next wave of detectives.

That’s why George Mason University’s forensic science division is looking for your help. Their pursuit to create more effective practises begins at life’s end.

Solutionaries correspondent Jenna Zibton visited the body farm to learn more.

Green Death

If donating your body is not your first choice for the end of life, there are many options.

Cremation is one way to go.

Burial may be the most traditional, but what about a ‘green burial’?

It’s a sustainable solution to the afterlife which is why Solutionaries correspondent Zachery Lashway went digging for more answers in Spring, Texas.

In Florida, the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery helps people reunite their bodies with the Earth in the most natural way possible.

The executive director joined News 6 chief meteorologist Tom Sorrells on Talk to Tom to discuss natural burials.

Click below to watch this interview.

Choosing Death?

In the early 1990s, Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s actions created an awareness of medical aid in dying, or ‘death with dignity’.

Click here to read more about medical aid in dying and watch News 6 Investigator Louis Bolden’s story about his experience dealing with the death of his parents last year.

Kevorkian became a massive public figure and a cultural lightning rod. His actions would bounce him in and out of jail, but his impact on society raised interesting questions about a person’s right to die.

That was decades ago. So where does the death with dignity movement stand now?

Solutionaries correspondent Victor Williams searched for answers in Detroit.

Tough Conversations Made Easier

Getting your affairs in order isn’t always easy.

The process of thinking how you want things like your possessions or funeral handled is a non-starter for many — but it’s so very important that they’re done.

Solutionaries correspondents Vic Micolucci and Tiffany Salameh met with a creative attorney who wants to get the conversation going.

On the Solutionaries YouTube page, our team has covered other stories including resources for death anxiety and coral reef burials.

Keep up with new episodes of Solutionaries on the News 6+ Takeover every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on News 6 or watch on demand by downloading the News 6+ for your smart TV (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV).

Solutionaries is a production of the news teams at Graham Media Group stations KPRC-Houston, WDIV-Detroit, KSAT-San Antonio, WKMG-Orlando, WJXT/WCWJ-Jacksonville, and WSLS-Roanoke. On Solutionaries, we’re highlighting the creative thinkers and doers who are working to make the world a better place.