The Cemetery

Near Brasov, we stopped at a beautiful cemetery. People of the Orthodox faith treat their deceased family and friends with great respect. They pray for the dead and light candles to honor them. The cemeteries are beautiful, to me, anyway. Very crowded, the graves bunt up to one another. Flowers are planted on top of each grave, with a little tin box for candles at the base of the headstone.

As I understand it: The deceased are buried. Seven months after death, it is the responsibility of the eldest son to remove the decomposing body and clean the bones. Then the bones are re-buried. The bones of several family members may occupy the same grave. Sounds kind of creepy at first, but it is their tradition and not unusual to them.

At the cemetery, several people were visiting the graves of their loved ones. The little old lady was one. Through our bus driver, she explained to us that she visits the grave of her family members every day, praying, tending the flowers, etc. She was so very sweet and enjoyed sharing her story. She lives across the street from the cemetery and invited us to her home for tea. Sadly, we didn't have time. I wish we had accepted her invitation.

Some of the gravestones include photos of the deceased. Back home in Millville Cemetery (located north of Henderson, TX - where I was raised), the gravestone of my brother, grandparents, and uncles also have photos. It is the cemetery where most of my family on my father's side are buried. So, this is not an unusual custom for me, though some in our group were not familiar with the tradition. For my family, seeing the photos is comforting.

Respecting the cultures of others is something we Americans should work on.

Dear Lord,

Please comfort those who mourn for loved ones. We lift them up in our prayers. Bless them and give them strength to carry on until it is their time to join you above.

In Christ Name,

Amen

Bobbie Ann