Beyond the Grave. “Mummification, it

seems, is making a comeback, and for a stiff fee, an

American company will take your beloved pet or family

member and preserve them for posterity…These 21st century interments are a little more hi-tech

than the old ‘hook-up-the-nose’ Egyptian rituals, but the

end result is still a work of art. However, for those involved in the preservation, there’s

no lack of spirituality to their work. The mummification services are provided by

Summum, a Salt Lake City religious group led by the delightfully-named Corky Ra.

Somewhat akin to the ancients, Ra and his adherents feel that preserving a body helps

the soul of its owner to find reference in the afterlife.”