Memory Eternal

My beautiful and loving friend Marianne passed from this life yesterday. I mourn for this wonderful woman. She was THE best person, friend, mother, grandma, and mother-in-law. Marianne was great at giving the best advice...especially marital advice. I thank you Marianne for all the great advice you have given me. Marianne had a wonderful and long marriage and that is what I want too. I will try to emulate her many wonderful qualities....especially her love for the Lord and her ability to laugh and have fun each day.
To read more loving words about Marianne and see her beautiful picture go to http://saintandrewwomen.blogspot.com/. This puts into words how so many of us are feeling today. Our dear friends Vern and Cheryl lovingly made Marianne's coffin and lining. It is beyond beautiful. Go here to see it.
An Orthodox funeral and the practices of preparing the body for burial are beautiful. I find these practices very comforting and would like to share them. Here is a bit of what the Orthodox death and burial look like. Marianne was at home and surrounded by family as she passed into the hands of God. Friends came to her home and joined her family in lovingly preparing her body. Psalms were read during this time and will be until the burial. Her body will be taken to the church tonight and there will be an all night vigil and reading of the Psalms. Tomorrow Marianne will be laid to rest. The service will move from the church to the cemetery and then we will come bacfk to the church to gather for a meal. The time between death and burial is not delayed. It is usually within a couple of days. The Orthodox practice is to not embalm the body.
Death is part of life. We will be bringing our children to the funeral service tomorrow and the burial. Traditionally the casket is open and placed at the front of the church. Orthodox are not cremated.
Death is not something to hide away. The Orthodox practices are very different from the way most funerals are handled in America. To read more about an Orthodox funeral go to http://www.goarch.org/print/en/ourfaith/article9218.asp. It is a beautiful service and burial.