A Village Death - Dec. 12, 2009

Sometimes a blog is just informative, and that is the only purpose of today's subject: death. We have recently had two deaths in our village. It has a big impact on life since our population is so small. I did not attend either funeral. My views presented here are from others who have tried to explain some traditions.

As I said, death affects the entire community. Our total population is around 532 people. Everyone knows everyone. Many people are directly and indirectly related to each other. With each passing death, the impact is great. First and foremost, after a person dies he/she is never left alone. When one of our elders died in Anchorage, his body was returned to the village via a private charter. The village went to meet the plane and escort his body home.

The body then resides at home so that the entire community may come and pay their respects. Those closest to the deceased will stay up all night with the body. Someone must be awake at all times with the body. Over the course of visitation, those close to the deceased will have very little sleep, but they will take turns sleeping. The rest of the community also pays their respects in many other ways. No bingo. No play for children. Respect for the deceased is observed by everyone and every age.

The actual funeral service itself is quite long - lasting perhaps two to three hours. Everything shuts down for a funeral - store and school. This allows everyone the opportunity to attend the funeral. Most services are held in the school gym to accommodate the crowd. It is a solemn event.

But even after the funeral, respect for the deceased will continue. Children born in the near future will be named for the two who have died. The sex of the child may not matter. I have a female Wassilene and a male Wassiline. I have an AnaBoy and AnaGirl. Remembering the deceased is what is imporant.