Wednesday, March 12, 2014
FUNERAL RITUALS
Rituals are very important and there is a know pattern for a funeral. Requiem mass today at 530am, noting the one week anniversary from the death, later the same day there is what I would call, an 'open house' there is a band and singers for music, pointy tents in a large wide circle on the grounds of the cathedral, with many chairs in their shade, we were announced being from the cathedral, one shakes the hand of everyone in the grieving family as a condolence, find a seat and then the family gets up and shake your hand as a welcome and offers a drink, as folks arrive they shake the hands of the family and everyone sitting in the front row of the circle, music, singing, dancing happens, a token donation to the family, and after a few hours one leaves, at this event the date of the funeral is announced (end of May). there is funeral cloth worn by most visitors, for both men and women, cloth that is black or black with red. Very interesting to see and there seems to be much support for the family.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think that it feels like it makes it complete somehow. They have done everything properly to give honour to the person and to God and it finishes off their life properly. Is there any of that to it?
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that is part of it but to me it seems that being socially appropriate as a family at the time of a funeral is a large driving force as well, as the consequences if not, last for a long time. The societal and family norms and expectations, dictate to a large degree how and what is done by individuals and families around most of life. Behaviour and goals of individuals and families around rituals or individual wants is still very much dictated from the larger society. Individual goals are secondary to the family well-being and the family goals are secondary to that of the larger society. The saying that it takes a community to raise a child is very much in play still. So I am continually asking: how is this done, what am I expected to do, am I being polite when I do this, I have a couple of folks that I can ask all these questions and not be seen as value-judging the behaviour. It is interesting to me to see how things work here from an outsiders point of view.
ReplyDelete