Ushabti

Ushabti or Shabti - up to U

If there can be comforting funerals, we attended one yesterday.  These aren't happy occasions but the little touches, the music, favorite words or versus, pictures at the wake, the flood of tears and the realization that there are better places to look forward to.

At this particular service one of the grand daughters' SOs composed several songs to bookend the service. We had a discussion about it afterward as this was most certainly a very nice gesture, one that the attendees enjoyed and we suppose meaningful for the deceased. The music was put on a i-pad and through blue tooth, played out over a portable hand held speaker. The deceased was 90ish and the entire scene would have mostly likely looked like black-magic.

I suppose there are several ways of looking at the trappings that come along with passing. Our present day funerals are for the comfort and finality of the living. Long ago funerals were for the preparation of the soul for the afterlife. We've been taught that in our afterlife we will need nothing from earth as all wants and needs will be taken care of. When we bury a favorite pet, we often put a favorite blanket, a can of food, a collar or whatnot in the grave with the thought that it will be needed.  We take nothing.

I'm fairly drawn to the Egyptian tomb idea where a few artifacts accompany me to what will be my next

stage. I'd prefer to have a few pictures to enjoy, a favorite item or two, some music, a book or two I can re-read endlessly..just a few things.

Mostly, and to the point, I would like to be committed with my choice of music to inflict on the mourners. It might be simple hubris but instead of some sad, melancholic expression, perhaps a good march, something quiet and gorgeous...  by the time I go, instead of an i-Pod and a blue-tooth microphone, we will have virtual movie screens on pass-out glasses (like our 3D theater glasses) and we can all see what I thought was beautiful and necessary.

Then they can go to the wake and celebrate my passing.