Deathstyle Crisis

At the moment of death, each individual appears to have options. They might continue on to some kind of heaven, or be reborn, or pass to oblivion. However, some people simply aren’t ready for death just yet, or simply are too busy to be bothered with it. These people face what is called a Deathstyle Crisis.

Each individual’s Deathstyle Crisis is unique, but many Zombies report having work to do that was too important to leave to someone else, or at least that’s how it seemed at the time. Other Zombies have reported being so caught up in what they were doing at the moment that they simply didn’t notice until some time later that they were dead. Some seem to have been simply overlooked, and are patiently waiting for Death to get caught up in his workload. Almost all have expressed feelings of anxiety, and report that the reactions of their family / lovers / friends / coworkers to their conditions have been universally unsympathetic.

At these times, the Newly Dead are almost always driven out of their homes or places of work, usually by those they love. This is truly sad, and is a direct result of vitalism that pervades everyday life.

Vitalism is deeply ingrained in most cultures, and the Newly Dead are usually unprepared for the reality of their new status. Additionally they have to cope with being hunted by vitalists, and are most often forced to remote locations such as abandoned warehouses or farms, and in more urban areas, sewers. Those cities lucky enough to have extensive subway systems are often havens for Zombies, where they can blend in fairly easily.

Secret underground support groups do exist though, but many Newly Dead are either missed or hunted to destruction.

This moment of Crisis for the Newly Dead is critical, and many questions occupy the freshly Post Vital consciousness:

“Will I become a mindless brain eating machine, or a productive member of society?”
“How will I do this?”
“Where will I stay?”
“Who will love me?”

Tragically, in the past most Newly Dead have had to resort to a subsistence existence, and in time lack of education and bitterness led to some unfortunate clashes with the Living. Truly horrific are those Post Vital individuals who know nothing about the flesh eating virus, and assume that the vitalist lies they have been taught by Hollywood are true. These unfortunate souls are often found aping FEV victims’ behavior, eating flesh, and letting their bodies go to rot.

In modern times we are a bit more enlightened, and Zombie Mission groups have spread to most major cities, and some smaller ones, seeking out the Newly Dead and showing them the wonders of Zombiedom.

With training and patience some Zombies are able to live what they call a Casket Lifestyle, and work as “living” employees in many careers. We here feel that is a shame, and that no one should have to hide who they are.

Often, as Zombies have to rebuild an identity, they must start out in low paying menial jobs and work their way up. Some very lucky ones are able to continue in their old positions with only a sick leave to mark their transition.

You may work with a Zombie and not know it!