HW 48 - Family Perspectives on the Care of the Dead

First Interview
          For this interview I decided to go ahead and interview my mom.  I asked her on her perspectives on the Care of the Dead.  She did not fully understand the question.  I asked her what is the tradition of our family when someone dies?  My mom said, when her sister died two years ago, we had her funeral at our family church, because she was a member of that church and had a deep faith in god.  When my moms dad died last year, we had his funeral in a funeral home, because he was not fond of the church, but had a deep faith in god.
          My mom believs that when people die, there spirits live on; death is not the end.  In our family, we still think and talk about family members who have died.  The thoughts are good and happy thoughts.  For example, my mom remembers, how her sister use to buy her dolls.  She also remembers how her dad use to make jokes and make her laugh.  My mom and my grandma go to the cementery to place fresh flowers on the graves.  My mom emphasizes that, "death is not the end, and we will see our deceased family members again".  My mom believs that funerals should be a reflection of the way the person lived. 

Second Interview
            For this interview I decided to interview my older sister.  I asked her two questions on taking care of the dead
1) How does having a church funeral connect to your religious beliefs?
          She said that a persons spirit lives on even after after their physical body is gone, so a funeral is a way of sending a persons spirit to heaven.  Or its like sening a persons spirit home.
2) What methods do you use when remembering or taking care of the dead?
            She said she and other family members retell the ggod tiimes and moments you were with that person.  She cooks their favorite foods, she listens to their favorite songs, she looks at pictures and or videos (home movies).  She also said bring and put fresh flowers and their grave almost like an anniversary. 

Analysis
         For the first interview my mom seems to can never forget her sister and her father.  And I can relate.  I felt broken and alone when my mom aunt died.  I loved her loved her so much.  She was very religious and believed in god.  Even now when I hear gospel songs, I look up and remember all of the good times I had with my aunt.  I will always miss her and love her
          For the second interview I am sometimes there when they look at photos and other things remember the dead.  I have always found humans to be like snowflakes.  The don't last long, but they leave such and unforgettable mark.