Funeral, Wake and Burial, and the Memorial Give-away
Central role in family and community life - "no one dies alone"
Story Text: "a brother"
Funeral, Wake and Burial
Private services for family at Mortuary Home
Wake at the Longhouse or Community Center:
"Prayer leaders" (sometimes priest)
Use of rosebushes and sweat grass
"Dressing" in Buckskin and Pendletons, along with special items in casket for journey e.g., the "t-shirt" (closed or open)
Paying respect: "heart talk" and "stories" (full of tears: the serious and the humorous)
Waashat songs (Seven Drum - Sahaptin) or Catholic hymns and the "Old songs"
Evening meal and "midnight supper" (traditional foods, and food in abundance)
Sunrise burial at "Indian cemetery" (nature of)
Back at Longhouse:
The morning meal
The give-away,
along with "special collected items," personal effects and household
belongings - recognizing the close and special people, and all in attendance
(As Bird originally established, share the sorrow and lift the
burden, letting the feathers go to the winds; remembering the good things of the
deceased each time you use an item, and he or she lives on; p. 182 "Landscape . . . ")
Immediate family goes into a year of morning, reduced public activities, and cleaning out the house (extension of give-away)
Memorial Give-away (a year later)
At the grave site (gifts and remembrances) and Longhouse
Paying respect: "heart talk"
The meal
Give-away
And for the Deceased:
"Cross
the waters, go to that mountain, prepare the camp, find the best berry patches
and hunting places, and prepare the camp for my children"
"To Grieve" p. 245 "Landscape . . . "
"Memorial Giveaway" p. 246 "Landscape . . ."
"Look to the Mountains" p. 250 "Landscape . . . "