very specifically regarding the funerary rites: associated with the official list of religions is the official list of religious symbols. if you've never been to a US veteran's cemetery, well based off the two i've been in they are beautiful. peaceful. every headstone is the same: name, branch, highest rank, birth and death dates, and some religious symbol (chosen from the official list). might be more, we haven't actually looked at the graves in a while we just go to visit.

i don't know how many symbols there were before, but if there were 30 to choose from among the 200 various "official" religions, the move would be at least a little plausible. but it's really just easier to have a list of religions and a list of symbols to choose from and let folk choose whatever they want. having never enlisted, i would hope that's already the process but i don't know and i mean this is government we're talking about. even when they're acting in good faith they don't always make any rational sense.

also, that sounds like a perfect bikeride out to visit Grandpas E and G (not related) tomorrow, maybe today. i could go get some scones.