The sanctity of Death

At Shabbat today (4 Tevet 5785), we read Bereshit (Genesis) 44:18-47:27. One line relating to death was particularly moving. It reads:

"I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will also surely bring thee up again, and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes." 46:4

Chi-Ukwu was talking with Jacob in a dream. He told Jacob that he would reconnect him to his favorite son, who would eventually be with him in his final moments to help close his eyes in death.

In Omenala, it is required that a terminally ill member of the family is NEVER left alone, and this good deed of keeping them company is reserved for the CLOSEST blood relations. When there is more than one person with the terminally ill, NOISE is not permitted, and discussions can only be in hushed tones. When this person takes the last breath, one in attendance performs the duty of closing the eyes, gently pulling down the eyelids over the eye. It is usual for an Igbo person to tell you he was present when someone died to emphasize that he performed the duty of 'closing the eyes'. He could say something like: "Ọ wu mụ mechiri anya ya."

In Omenala, Strangers are NEVER allowed to see the nakedness of the deceased. So, washing and dressing the body is a duty of the closest BLOOD relations. It’s not something to be CONTRACTED out to UNDERTAKERS.

The idea of carrying the deceased in a convoy with undertakers carrying the 'coffin' and dancing in a public display is TOTALLY foreign to us. Burials are supposed to be a very solemn family/community affair with an air of MOURNING, no matter the deceased’s age.