Closed Casket Funeral

CLOSED CASKET FUNERAL

By twos and threes
we walk through open doors
into the funeral home chapel,
the polished wooden coffin -
its closed lid modestly hiding her earthly remains -
sets on the stage
beside mementos of a life well lived -
mounted and framed are photos,
two necklaces and copies of favorite prayers.

Because the florist over slept
the flowers are late,
but the flowers -
nine arrangements of roses -
must be present
before the service can begin.

Prayers are said and chanted;
we weep,
not for her ascended soul,
but for what is missing in our own lives
now that God's messenger of joy
has escorted her soul into paradise.

Six strong men -
brothers in faith, family and friends -
carry the casket to the grave site,
we follow behind
recounting memories of her material life.

Six pairs of white gloves lay atop the coffin
as it is lowered into the grave
escorted by the words of Tahirih the Pure One.

After the casket is lowered into the ground
roses, mementoes and handfuls
of dirt are tossed in by family and friends;
she remains with us in memory
and the soul that walked through death's open door
into the next world
still comes when prayers are said for her
as she now prays for us.

Even from behind the prayer thin veil
that separates this world from the next
she continues to proclaim her faith.