A Sober Guarantee

Saturday Mike and I attended a funeral. The funeral was held at a local church in the African language. This made for a long service. Apparently the family had already held three memorial services on different days spaced out over 10 days I think. The funeral is the last of the services. The funeral had many of the same components of one in the United States with songs, special music, slide show, procession, speeches. What was different was the 45 minute sermon in the middle.

After the service was complete, we drove to the cemetery. Apparently, people are only buried on Saturdays. There were 10 burials scheduled for that Saturday. The church service began at 8:00am to insure we were at the grave site by 10:30. When we arrived, one family was finishing. While we were there, another family began. Immediately after we finished, another one was beginning.

The grave side service had a brief sermon. After which, the family all grabbed a handful of dirt to throw in the grave with a flower. Next, several men worked together to maneuver and lower the cement blocks over the casket. Five shovels were then brought. Young and older men took turns shoveling the dirt and rocks one shovel full at a time. It was sobering to see the community working together to say see you later. The teamwork made quick work of filling the grave and shaping a round top. It was finished within about 20 minutes. While the men were working together, the rest of the community were singing songs. When the dirt was placed and shaped, a temporary marker and flower arrangements placed strategically decorating the grave.

A couple of thoughts: As I was at the grave site, I was struck with the reality of death. The depth of the grave, the casket, the cement box and meters of dirt on top. No life.

The teamwork of filling the grave themselves was a way of everyone saying their final goodbyes. A community effort and way of showing support.

Also this way, when you walk away everything is finished. In the United States, we walk away and the casket is still above ground.

Although, I only had a very brief glimpse into one aspect of the passing away traditions of one people group in Namibia, it was a privilege to be there. If you think of them, please pray for this family as they are on a new part of this journey in life.