2 Funerals in Kampung Dukah ~

Today we went to a funeral service of a dear friend of ours.  Her mother had been ailing.  Oh it was a very moving day today!  She had died yesterday afternoon.  The service was at 10 am this morning,   in front of their house.  The tent had been erected possibly this morning and chairs were brought in - and all the neighbors had come to be with the family & share their condolences & care!

Our friend is very dear to us and so it was a very moving morning for us!  We know that it was so hard on the family! 
There was so many people there...all showing their concern.  Words & prayers were spoken - with much respect and honor and then her mother was brought outside by the men of the family. 

She was carried to the cemetery and many people from this community followed behind with the family.  She was buried in a very peaceful place.

Nick & I agreed that it was a very special ceremony where the community come around you, support you, help & prepare everything. and spend time with the family.  Such "community" - very very sweet and caring.  We liked the simplicity of it - and also the timing - the funeral ceremony usually takes place within 24 hours, and that is because of the weather and the person being home - plus we hear it is also a custom to bury the dead right away within a short time.  

Our neighbor across the street also had a death in the family. Their elderly mother who was always full of smiles and friendly, greetings us as she did her daily sweeping the roadway in front of their house, suddenly became sick and passed away within a few days.  So there was a lot going on right here in Kampung Dukuh all around us!

We were thankful to be here and to support our neighbors as we could! 
And of course it was a different experience for us as well!  To see the community come together and be so supportive to one another was a real blessing to see! 

For three days the tent stays up so that people can come to comfort and commune with the family.  There was a church service held for the family across the street

and that too was a blessing to attend...even though we did not understand - we did recognize some words and scriptures given.  We were all handed a box after the evening service - to take with us - it was dinner.  Chicken, rice, sambal, a pudding- a piece of cabbage & cucumber and a risoles.  The service was during dinner time - so everyone was handed this box.  The wording on the box says blessings & enjoy!

Nick & I thankfully saw our friend a few days later - she has been a wonderful daughter helping her mother through a very very tough time.  As I said, her mother had been ailing a long time - so it was a tough time for all the family there in the home! 

  We pray now for peace for the family.  Many Blessings of Peace.