How do you mourn for the death of your love one in your country?
By Thelma
@thelme55 (76476)
Germany
April 20, 2017 2:58pm CST
My father passed away yesterday early in the morning at 4.30 April 20. He died at home surrounded by us children and his grand children.
This is my first time experiencing at hand in a death in my family where I am here in the Philippines. I didn’t know much about funeral tradition in our country though I heard them before. I am the eldest but my siblings had instructed me what NOT to do while our fathers body is still at home.
There is a 9 night prayers at home in front of the casket and relatives and friends come to mourn with us and we have to vigil all night long before the dead will be buried. I had to sleep while the others who can still vigil tried to stay awake by playing cards and talking about everything. I have not sleep for about 24 hours time while being in my fathers deathbed.
I have just woke up from 4 hours sleep and tried to catch up with the condolences being sent through fb. Calls from my siblings and nieces from Europe was answered late but they understood. They were still able to talk to my father through videochat before he died. They were glad that I am still here to organise the funeral and other things for my father.
As an elder child, I have a lot of responsibility and my siblings always asked me before everything was carried away. Without their help, I would be lost. I was so surprised that my small nieces were very practical about death. They even touched the face of my father if he was really gone and were there with us in my fathers bedroom. The casket is open and they keep on seeing how my father look. I wonder how they cope but it seems it is a natural thing for them seeing death and they are stronger than me.
Sorry for this long discussion. You know now why I have been away for a few days and for the coming days. I hope you are all okay. Until then.
How do you mourn in your country? You can share with me your experiences.
16 people like this
10 responses
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
20 Apr 17
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and you family during this time.
4 people like this
@RasmaSandra (73368)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Apr 17
First of all virtual hugs and sorry for your loss. Your dad is now watching over you and will ever be with you until you meet again. Here in Latvia usually we have a ceremony at the graveside, then the burial and afterwards a meal with friends and family. Older traditions with people in the countryside would also include a small orchestra with trumpets and such accompanying the coffin to the graveside. So it differs. My prayers and blessing with you.
3 people like this
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
16 May 17
Thank you very much @RasmaSandra. Different countries, different traditions.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
20 Apr 17
My sincere condolences Thelma, I'm very sorry to hear this, I just woke up.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
21 Apr 17
i didn't know he was sick. will you be waiting for your other siblings to come home?
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
28 Apr 17
Yes, he was sick @hereandthere. Seriously sick from July last year. Yes, we were waiting and thankfully my sis arrived yesterday.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
14 May 17
I'm so sorry Thelma. I missed this when you posted it, and things must have been very difficult for you. However, I know from your posts that you did everything possibly could for your father, and you couldn't have been a better daughter. Condolences to you.
1 person likes this