Death is coming

The closer death creeps up upon me the less I am able to understand the reasons for life or living.

Yes I have experienced a close family member dying and unlike television it takes decades to handle such a thing. To think I am going to put my family through such a thing when I finally leave is more horrific to me than the thought of death itself.

My life was and is still a learning experience but when all said and done what am I to do with all this accumulated learning over my lifetime if I just die. There is no logic or reason to this.

Long ago I became aware that the God story that is sold to the majority is just a nice story to give mankind with a message of a basic layout of how nice life could be if everyone followed these ideas. Not many in life do and if one thinks about it the good and evil structures actually depend on each other. The good that can be experienced in life is only understood as good when there is it's opposite to compare it to. This is not rocket science only common sense in reality. I am not saying we need to experience bad but understanding in it is needed to appreciate the great things many of us can have in our lives. From birth to death there are many ways mankind helps his fellow man. How many ways can you help?


Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Funeral Services And Practices Vary From Culture To Culture

By Adriana Noton

Funeral services are the ceremonies that the world's cultures hold to commemorate the life of one who has been loved that is lost to death. The rituals, customs, and the prayers that have been attached to the practice of rendering honor to the dead vary from country to country. Some create memorials, shrines, or monuments to those that are snatched away by death.

A practice that is common in Canada and the United States is the funeral ceremony where a clergyman officiates. The man often speaks a sermon that involve passages of comfort from texts of a religious nature, a prayer, and a eulogy that discusses the deceased and his, or her, accomplishments in life. After that ritual has finished then there may be second and shorter service at the graveside following a procession out to that location.

Another practice that is unique to one part of the United States is the New Orleans Jazz Funeral. A procession begins at the site of the memorial service and concludes at the site of burial. It consists of a jazz band, family members and friends of the deceased. The music that plays are sad and somber dirges. After the final ceremony at the graveside the procession continues on to a gathering place. During that particular march the music is replaced by music that one can dance to while waving hats and umbrellas in order to celebrate the life of the deceased.

Yet another practice is one that suits the preferences of those who are environmentally conscious. It is called a green funeral. This allows those that have concerns about how traditional burial practices impact the environment can opt to have their remains buried in a way more in line with their beliefs. For example they may choose to be buried in a shroud or coffin that is biodegradable. Their chosen burial place may be in a parkland where they have a tree planted on their grave as a memorial.

Some funeral homes or chapels offer the option of an internet visitation and funeral service. Friends, family, and others who otherwise would be unable to attend can do so via a web cam and computer set up connected to the internet. Thus the support network for those left behind by the deceased can be connected regardless of weather, distance, or circumstance.

How the dead have final disposition can be as varied as the funeral rites themselves. Such as there are many lands in which the remains are placed in a family crypt, individual tomb, or a burial plot. In some areas underground burials are not practical because the ground water is too high. Thus the remains have to be put in a tomb that is above ground. The above ground tombs that are really grand in appearance are often called mausoleums and are used for the dead of the wealthy and prominent families.

Another burial practice that is used is what is know as a burial at sea. It has usually been performed when a death has occur ed aboard a ship that belongs to a seafaring country. The remains are wrapped up in some way and then weights are attached in order to make the body sink at the time it is dropped overboard. Many of the world's major religions have created special services for just this type of occasion.

Funeral services and their associated practices in the would are varied. In point of fact the kinds of rituals that are practiced are as varied as there are peoples, cultures, and countries on the earth. Thus if a memorial for one who is loved can have any form desired.

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