Death is nothing at all?
One of the responsibilities of Archdeacons is the support and advice to Churchwardens and clergy concerning the care and maintenance of Churchyards. It is an important public place where communities can come and remember and pay respects to the friends and families of past generations. Churchyards, and especially graves are sensitive pastoral areas of our common lives, and it is with great care that regulations are created to preserve that pastoral sensitivity.
I visited a churchyard recently as was very taken by the number of small items that had been left on certain graves. Recent burials are always emotionally charged, with flowers and cards and tokens of love and remembrance. I was particularly drawn to one grave, which was not marked by any stone yet, but the family had left a Christmas present, partially unwrapped, and some packets of sweets. It was no doubt the favourite confectioneryof the child, and the toy a gift, perhaps that had been left unopened. I was reminded of the death rituals for the Ancient Egyptians, who would bury the deceased with all kinds of effects, and food to see them into the afterlife. As Christians, we pray that those who die, journey with Christ, who died and rose again, that we might have eternal life. It is an aspect of our humanity that we struggle to make sense about life, as we also struggle with the inevitability about death. Even Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early on the third day, bringing with her spices, intended to annoint the body of Jesus.
Death is nothing at all? Oh yes, death is certainly something, something we all have to attend to in our own way. Our message of hope and love depends on us knowing that death is certainly not any easier, but our faith offers us strength and comfort, and that makes the something bearable.
