How do members of Starfleet look at death?

[Myasishchev]

Dark Journey wrote:

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I think one of the biggest douche-chill lines of the first season was in Neutral Zone where Beverly comments to Picard that people in the 20th century were terrified of death. Not like those evolved 24th centuryers who can't wait for it to come.

Even if we charitably attribute the attitude to be directed solely toward heroic efforts to prolong life--like cryogenic suspension--it's still annoying, given that Picard has an artificial heart. I don't at all understand what the qualitative difference is.

But, yeah, it's probably the absolute stupidest thing ever said on Star Trek. Trek's lack of major advances in the life-extension sciences, with some half-assed or unintentional exceptions like Picard's age, is suspect to say the least. I blame the human victory in the Eugenics War.

[GhostFaceSaint]

Well I am sure that the members of Starfleet usually mourn for dead, then send the body to be processed into energy for the replicators...soilent green anyone?

[Sector 7]

GhostFaceSaint wrote:

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Well I am sure that the members of Starfleet usually mourn for dead, then send the body to be processed into energy for the replicators...soilent green anyone?

...or placed in photon torpedo tubes to drift in space or orbit a nearby planet... whilst Amazing Grace plays...

[Myasishchev]

Clearly it was Spock's favorite Christian hymn. Or all that they knew how to play.

[Epsilon IX]

Depends on the importance of that character to the plot I guess. If it's a regular they get all weepy and have some very pomp and circumstance memorial service (think of Spock in 'Wrath of Khan', Tascha Yar in 'Skin of Evil', Jadzia in 'Tears of the Prophets', and Data in 'Nemesis'), but if it's an extra they have more a shrug shoulders 'shit happens' attitude!

[Nerys Myk]

Myasishchev wrote:

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Clearly it was Spock's favorite Christian hymn. Or all that they knew how to play.

It was either that or the soundtrack to "Vulcan Love Slave."

[Sci]

Myasishchev wrote:

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Clearly it was Spock's favorite Christian hymn. Or all that they knew how to play.

It's possible that by the 23rd Century, the tune to "Amazing Grace" had lost its religious overtones and was now used purely as an instrumental funeral dirge. That sort of evolution is not unheard of for very old songs -- witness "Greensleaves" vs. "What Child Is This?," or "God Save the King/Queen" vs. "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," or "The Star-Spangled Banner" vs. "To Anacreon in Heaven."

[T'Girl]

Epsilon IX wrote:

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... but if it's an extra they have more a shrug shoulders 'shit happens' attitude!

Kirk would always take a moment to reflect how the dead red shirt's father help him get into the academy.

[Neutral Zone]

There are appear many occurances throughout the series and movies where their comrades are affected by the death of a comarade. In the 'Wrath Of Khan' you have the death (though it be a tempory one) of Spock and the young engineers that were working with Scotty, there was emotion on both of these. One Tasha was killed by the alien thing in TNG there was emotion. But they all accepted that it was a risk factor that came with the job.

[ReadyAndWilling]

So Starfleet never really had a set of procedures on how the dead should be thought of?

[Sector 7]

ReadyAndWilling wrote:

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So Starfleet never really had a set of procedures on how the dead should be thought of?

From StarFleet Captain's Manual: A Short How-To Guide

Chapter 7-PROCEDURES FOR DEATH OF FEDERATION MEMBER:
Step 1: Dispose of body
-Whole body- Funeral with photon torpedo coffin
-Partial body- Memorial service with urn
-No body- Memorial service with picture

Step 2: Service for the Dead
-Whole body- Funeral with photon torpedo coffin
-Partial body- Memorial service with urn
-No body- Memorial service with picture

Step 3: Replace Dead Crewmember
-Major character- Bring back to life next week/movie
-Minor character- Bring in new character
-Redshirt- Bring back as another character or redshirt

Step 4: Resume Mission

[Voyagerian]

I think one interesting point to consider is age, as well, certainly among humans. In 'Caretaker', when Harry Kim, the just- assigned Ensign, is trying to get to the surface of Ocampa with the newfound rebel B'Ellanna Torres, he, admittedly burdened by illness from the Caretaker's 'tests', and fatigued, says to her how he had trained his whole life to be in Starfleet, 'And on my very first mission...I'm going to die'...whereas someone like Picard, who has faced death down countless times, would be more philosophical-though he treasured life, and would fight hard for his own, especially for his crew, as did Kirk, who thumbed his nose at Death....and so those around him believed him as he often stated his 'I don't believe in the no-win scenario' mindset. And he really did fight D all the way. Young Kirk was certainly that in' ST' while Young Spock was more accepting of it, as potentially unavoidable in a certain situation...George Kirk had great motivation to live-he would have wanted nothing more, as he had a wife, and newborn son...but, he did what in our world many brave men and women-which we are soon to honor on Veterans Day-have done for decades-and especially today-give their lives for the greater good.He followed his duty to his brethren, unto death, and surely took solace that they, and his family, would survive.

[hofner]

Speaking of death, I've always held the opinion that the hysterically laughing crewmember from TOS's "The Naked Time" left Starfleet to pursue a career as a funeral home director.

Robert

[Sector 7]

^^^
^^
^
Wow! Three in a row from the Carolina contingent!

[Voyagerian]

Yes!!*I am closer to Hofner than they know....heh heh heh.....GO HEELS!GO BOBCATS! GO HURRICANES! GO PANTHERS!(Lotta good THAT will do)I vote we form the Carolina Compact....and take over the world...

[Sector 7]

I am not that far from either of you then, just head north on I-85 for a few miles! The Tarheels have already taken over basketball. What else is there besides basketball, NASCAR and Star Trek?