Talking about death and dying can be challenging for many, leading them to use various verbal substitutes, many of which have become common expressions. List as many clichés or euphemisms for death as you can think of. Explain the role these phrases play. What effects do they have, whether intended or not? Write a poem, story, or essay where you "unpack" a cliché or "translate" a euphemism for death.

Conduct a research project that compares and contrasts the burial rituals and perspectives on death of two different cultures or religions. You might, for instance, look into the differences between contemporary Hindu and Buddhist burial practices or between ancient cultures like the Incas and the Mayans. Alternatively, examine the differences between the practices of mainline Protestant denominations (such as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian) and those of a smaller group, like the Quakers, Anthroposophists, or Nazarenes.

Study an elegy, whether classical or modern, and interpret it musically by composing an instrumental piece that captures the essence of the lament without using the words of the poem. Consider what instrument(s), key, mode, rhythm, and style you might use to musically explore John Milton’s “Lycidas.” What instruments and style does Hudgins’s unconventional elegy suggest?

Write a poem that explores the differences between you and one of your parents, using a metaphor to express these differences, as Hudgins used a ship and a dock. Then, write a second poem focusing on a point of convergence or harmony, using a narrative form—a story or event that encapsulates that meeting point.

Visit a large cemetery. Document the styles and inscriptions of a sample number of headstones through a visual medium—such as photography, drawing, or painting. Create an artistic or expressive "catalog of elegies" based on your observations.