Weygan-Allan: Shall never die

“JESUS said “I am the resurrection and the Life, he who believes in me, though he was dead, yet shall he lives. And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25”

There are two things we cannot escape, taxes and death. Yet death is not the end but the beginning of life as the Book of Common Prayer says.

Last Tuesday, we lay down to rest an international icon – Narda Olat Capuyan. Soroptimist International ladies went to pay respect and we conducted a simple service, as she was a Soroptimist. As I have shared at that time, she is one person who we will continue to be remembered for her Ikat weave are displayed everywhere. We see her wall hangings in churches, hotels, restaurants and even appearing in paintings. We see her creations worn by men and women who appreciate her designs, material and loving contribution in enriching the weaving industry in the Cordillera. And by seeing those things she made she will never die in our memories.

The next day we were at the wake of our teacher in high school, Josefina Ruff, the mother of Emil, Henry and the rest. She died in her sleep. Florita and I went and we were sharing how good it would be to just die in one’s sleep without bother people because of illness or otherwise.

Before Dad died, he gave his wish that from death to burial is only three days. At one time he said overnight and I said “but you will still have to be brought to City Hall” and so he said “Okay, three days.”

Our loved ones will long be remembered long after they leave us because of the memories created with them while they were among us.

Christians we are assured of everlasting life because of our salvation through Jesus Christ. Because of that many Christian welcome death easily. It is a firm belief that we will never die, that we will go back to the Creator.

There is a belief that when someone dies, the family members should not go to another wake, older people will reprimand those family members if anything untoward happens to the family.

Among several tribes in the Cordillera they believe that the dead walks among the living. There are rituals that they do during and after death.

The Ifugao practice the Baki’n di Mangtung, and just like the Ibalois they practice the cleaning and relocating the remains of loved ones years after they are buried.

Traditional Isneg requires an old woman to do burial rituals.

I witnessed one wake and burial among the Maengs of Abra, and the ritual before the burial was well attended as the chanting of relatives, the mang-isaop shows how they care about the afterlife. I was with a Maeng priest and they allow the family to do their rituals before they are brought to the church for the funeral service.

I lived in Nepal for a few years, dominantly Hindu and they practice post death rituals with the message to the dead to break bonds with the living. They believe the dead stay around for a while until it completely break bonds with the physical body, the family and even to possessions.

All prayers and rituals are done to calm the death and let the dead pass on to the great beyond. Antyesti is the “last sacrifice” funeral rites of a Hindu.

During wakes is also the time to reflect on “what will people say during my wake.” To many this bothers them and to some it will be an unanswered question. But yet after that point of reflection they continue living as if there is no life after death.

Unfortunately, some people walk this earth without meaning and direction. It is indeed sad, that though eternal life is assured, people choose to become a walking dead.

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