Dressing the dead

Monday, November 14, 2005

Dressing the dead My mother, as an elder of the tribe and a relative of Neetanah's, was asked by Neetanah's mother Beverly to be among those who dress Neetanah for burial. My mother and one other woman, Beverly's closest friend, were given the right to perform this duty. Many Indian peoples in Oklahoma still do things the old way, the Indian way. As a show of respect and love for the dead, we take care of the body--wash and dress the dead, sit with the dead for three days in someone's home, and we still dig the dead's grave by hand. I helped to dig my brother's grave. My hands had blisters on them because the ground was so hard. It is the ultimate sign of respect--to aid the dead in their journey from this world. Family, not strangers, accompany and prepare them for this journey. Neetanah will be given burial rites on Wednesday.