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Nov. 27th, 2006

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Nov. 27th, 2006

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6:27 PM

What a day. I just got home from

_aqualung_'s mother's funeral. It was a long day (and I'm sure a much longer day for him than for me).

The hardest part was probably K'vurah -- the traditional burial. In Jewish custom, family and friends fill in the grave (incidentally, my Mother hates this custom). But, in all honesty, it's supposed to be the hardest part.

I did finally get to meet

mystikbabe at Shiv'ah. It's a shame we didn't get to meet under better circumstances.

And now I'm off again -- this time to see

n0thingman be officially seated as one of The Co-op's Board Members.

( 5 comments — Leave a comment )

lilostitch

Nov. 28th, 2006 02:04 am (UTC)

The tragedy of death aside, K'vurah is one of my absolute favorite traditions. It just brings so many things together-- life, death, family...a physical reminder of our organic origins.
Watching the other people step up to the grave before me is the hardest part, but actually contributing to the burial is always for me the most comforting. Its a way for me to accept, and to let go.

I'm sorry to hear of your friend's and your loss.

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hopita

Nov. 28th, 2006 04:48 am (UTC)

I'll reiterate what I just wrote in response to

_aqualung_'s comment below: I really like the idea of having my grave filled in by people who care about me, rather than by cemetery workers with a backhoe. It really does seem like an act of kindness.

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pghwob

Nov. 28th, 2006 02:44 pm (UTC)

K'vurah

Didn't know the name of the custom. Hardest for me was my grandfather, and especially as I had to help other relatives. But it does give a sense of closure and... ok, lilostitch put better than I could.

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_aqualung_

Nov. 28th, 2006 03:28 am (UTC)

The first time I came across that custom was at my Aunt Liz's funeral in Rochester. My mother was adamant that we would _not_ be doing that at her funeral. I don't think she expected Rabbi Glatstein to be presiding.

I have to agree with lilostitch. In it's own way, it's a very beautiful tradition.

Thanks again for coming

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hopita

Nov. 28th, 2006 04:46 am (UTC)

It always makes me think of the van accident in college, and the tree we planted afterward. Similar sort of scenario: the tree was there, the shovels were there, and whoever wanted to was invited to come up and start digging.

I loved the way Happy Rock explained it. It does strike me as an act of kindness. Personally, I think I kind of like the idea of having people who care about me making that final gesture.

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( 5 comments — Leave a comment )

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