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Todeng died in 2009. A young relative of his, Sam, lights him a cigarette and changes his glasses. (Photo by Claudio Sieber Photography/The Guardian)

For the Torajan people of Indonesia, death is part of a spiritual journey: families keep the mummified remains of their deceased relatives in their homes for years – and traditionally invite them to join for lunch on a daily basis – before they are eventually buried. Here: Todeng died in 2009. A young relative of his, Sam, lights him a cigarette and changes his glasses. (Photo by Claudio Sieber Photography/The Guardian)
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14 Oct 2017 09:34:00
An artist takes part in the festival “Statues en Marche” in Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium, July 20, 2019. (Photo by Yves Herman/Reuters)

An artist takes part in the festival “Statues en Marche” in Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium, July 20, 2019. Living statues are a common sight in many city centers, but it is rare to see such a diverse range of this peculiar form of street art for which performers must keep still for painfully long periods of time to create the desired illusion. (Photo by Yves Herman/Reuters)
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24 Jul 2019 00:01:00


“Why do you keep blowing the trumpet, young man?
You'd better lie in a coffin, young man!”

On that life-affirming note, let me congratulate you (yes, it's been a tough year, and the next one will be even tougher better). Happy New Year! And now disco.
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31 Dec 2022 06:59:00
A staff member removes a coffin from a room of the “Corpse Hotel” in Kawasaki, Japan, April 20, 2016. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A staff member removes a coffin from a room of the “Corpse Hotel” in Kawasaki, Japan, April 20, 2016. Many so-called corpse hotels have emerged as a flourishing business in the city following a crunch in crematoriums. Families can rent a room in Sousou on a daily charge of 9,000 Japanese yen (£58, €74, $84) to keep the body of the deceased relative for up to four days until they find a crematorium. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)
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30 Apr 2016 09:46:00
Fuzzbucket. “Not only did we keep our jobs, but because of the pictures, all the kittens were adopted within hours!”. (Photo by  Seth Casteel/Hachette Australia)

California-based photographer Seth Casteel made his name taking photographs of dogs underwater, but before that, he was snapping cats on land. In fact, they were his first animal subjects. Casteel’s new book, Pounce – a follow-up to his bestselling Underwater Dogs and Underwater Puppies – features more than 80 photographs of playful cats doing what they do best. Here: Fuzzbucket. (Photo by Seth Casteel/Hachette Australia)
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18 Nov 2016 11:21:00
Moon jellyfish and cross jellies. (Photo by David Hall)

David Hall’s photographs of scenery and creatures off the coast of Canada in the Pacific Northwest portray serenity under the water, which belie the extreme challenges he faces to get his images. For each shoot, Hall wears a dry suit, a neoprene body suit that covers all of his body but his head and traps air inside to keep him warm. Water temperature in Canada’s British Columbia typically ranges between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Photo: Moon jellyfish and cross jellies. (Photo by David Hall)
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16 Sep 2014 12:57:00
Swiss Company Turns People’s Ashes Into Diamonds

In the past people used to bury their loved ones or turn them into ashes. However, now there is a completely new possibility. Since having an urn with ashes in your house may be a bit weird, you may want to choose the option of turning your deceased relative into a diamond. Yes, diamond! You’ve heard us correctly. By using immense heat and pressure, the ashes you get after cremating a person can be turned into a real diamond. After this, the diamond can be left as it is, and stored in a jewelry box, or it can be used as a piece of jewelry, such as a ring or a pendant, allowing you to always keep your loved one close to your heart. (Photo by djd/Algordanza memorial diamonds)
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20 Oct 2014 08:52:00
Hats off (or on) to Julian for sharing his blanket with his good buddy. Not that the furry beast needs it... (Photo by Stasha Becker/Rex Features)

Five-year-old Julian Becker and his 165 pound pet Newfoundland Max have been best buds around all their lives. To commemorate the friendship and to keep Julian's father, a Naval officer who is often away, in the loop, Julian's mom Stasha began taking photos. Photo: Hats off (or on) to Julian for sharing his blanket with his good buddy. Not that the furry beast needs it... (Photo by Stasha Becker/Rex Features)
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12 Apr 2013 11:29:00