The funeral was 2 hours long and all in High German, so we understood very little; however, we were welcomed with open arms by the Amish community there - almost 400 people attending the service. The funeral was held in the family's home.
One thing we found interesting was that as the buggies arrived each one had a number written on it in chalk and then the same number written on a tag that was attached to the bridle of the horse - so when the funeral was over it was easy to get the horses out of the field and match them to the correct buggy. This numbering system also was the order in which the buggies proceeded to the cemetery.
The burial is very different from ours. All the mourners at the cemetery stand by while the plain wood casket is lowered into the ground and the young men of the Amish community fill in the grave. Then there was another 45 minute graveside service.
One thing happened at the cemetery that I found very upsetting. Two tour busses came by and stopped just outside the cemetery fence so the passengers could gawk at the graveside service. I can't think of anything more disrespectful, insensitive or offensive. I wish I could remember the name of the bus comany - I would give them a piece of my mind. They treat the Amish like a tourist attraction.
Lizzie - we will all miss you.
On a happier note, we collected 200 gallons of sap yesterday - the first run in over a week - so maybe the weather will finally start to cooperate! Here's a couple of pictures I took while we were gathering.
Old Method vs. New Method !!
Hope there's something in there!
Well - there goes a drip anyway!
We just talked to your Mom and she told us about Lizzie and that you'd been to the funeral. I agree about the bus company, very disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteI just showed Syd your pictures of the sugaring operation. He says he thinks Sam looks very happy! I think I can hear the drip in the bucket. What a great picture above! Looking forward to seeing you guys once sugaring is over.