During September 2019 I followed the debate around the repositioning of the remains of General Francisco Franco. After his death in 1975 he was buried in a tomb in the Valley of the Fallen Memorial, Madrid, a symbol of greatness.
But burial plots are more than just a resting place for bones or ashes. This basilica with its 150-meter-high cross is a monument to the Franco regime, glorifying the winners of the Spanish Civil war with no reference to its victims. Franco’s burial spot was controversially full of historical and political significance. He has now been reburied in a municipal cemetery alongside his wife. This is a statement of how the ‘mighty’ are fallen!
Around the time of burying Robert’s ashes, I came across Genesis 23, an entire chapter in the Bible devoted to the burial of Abraham’s wife, Sarah! It’s worth noting that Jesus’ burial is given far fewer verses.
It was important that Jesus was well and truly dead and properly buried, albeit in a hurry. But the site of his burial ground is not important. He had no need for a plot on the planet to call his own. His bones had gone (who knows where) by the time his disciples encountered him alive! That was what mattered! He had his resurrection body.
Many visitors to Jerusalem flock to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Garden Tomb to visit one of the places where Jesus might have been buried. They often speak of it as a spiritual experience. I don’t doubt that, but I want to echo Jesus’ question to the women by the tomb on that first Easter day – “Why are you looking in the place of the dead for someone who is alive?”
Where to bury Sarah? In ancient times, people were buried with their ancestors. The site was venerated. Since Abraham had set off on his journey as directed by God, he had no family burial site. He lived as a stranger. But he was determined to own his family burial plot in Mamre. That was why he bargained in public, to ensure the legality of his ownership. It was the first piece of land he owned, a tiny stake in the land God had promised. Abraham, looking to the future. He was here to stay. His family belonged here.
Sarah was buried here, followed by Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah and Leah. Some years later (Gen 50:12-14) Jacob’s body was embalmed and carried from Egypt back to this plot. Joseph instructed his descendants to take his bones with them when eventually they left Egypt (Exodus 13:19). Like his great grandfather, he was looking to the future. But his bones were eventually buried in a plot of land Jacob had bought (Joshua 24:32).
The past, present and future dimension of burial A person who has died is forever in the PAST in earthly terms. The decision about what to do with the body or ashes is a subject for the PRESENT, often providing a place to mourn. In the FUTURE this one plot on the planet may be identified with this person or family. (Of course, these days there are many other options apart from burial or scattering ashes which are not identified with any specific location.)
The writer to the Hebrews however would say that Abraham and his family were looking much, much further into the future, though they may not have known it. They were ‘after a far better country than that—heaven country (11:16 The Message).
Burying Robert’s ashes was the final recognition that he’d died. His body has been reduced to dust. He will forever be in the past. A tiny plot of land now honours the fact that he once lived. We can go to grieve and remember. In the future that’s where my ashes may join his ashes. But all this is for the benefit of those who remain.
Robert however is outside of time. He has already entered the eternal presence of Christ. If he hasn’t already received his indestructible resurrection body (1 Cor 15:42-44), he very soon will, for this is what God has promised, a better country!
This is a work in progress…
I know God’s mind is unfathomable, but he invites us to wonder and to strive to know him more deeply. I know Robert is with Christ. I know my story is unique. But, in my grief, I want to know more…I want to know whether Robert is asleep, ‘disembodiedly’ conscious or has already received his resurrection body.
Writing Sudden death…then what? over many months has channelled my thinking. Many people haven’t thought much about this. That’s why I’m sharing my embryonic conclusions about resurrection bodies, eternity, life – plus reflections on the specific impact of sudden death. I wrote this on 29th September 2019.
Sudden death... then what? 