INDUSTRY INSIGHT
WONDERFUL REMEMBRANCES
SPONSORED CONTENT
A Basic
Element
N
eil deGrasse Tyson, noted astrophysicist, said that our inner
energy does not cease when we die. In cremation, the heat
randomly releases that inner energy to the air. Dr. Tyson will
be buried. Dr. Tyson stated that the flora and fauna of the earth have
given him sustenance and energy all his life. He wants to give himself
back to the earth to return the favor.
How do we want our earthly remains consigned? Our choices are
the earth, fire, air and water-the basic elements. Give me to the earth.
We handle death by dealing with the dead. As I scrub and polish a
pair of muddy shoes after a burial, it is a reminder that the graveside
is a visual reminder that death is neither easy or clean. The dirt and
the mud become the badges of honor.
Families can choose burials in corporate cemeteries, Catholic
Cemeteries, churchyard cemeteries, private family cemeteries,
and privately-owned cemeteries. Military veterans, spouses and
dependent children are eligible for burial in a National Cemetery.
Some gravesite services have taken place under beautiful blue
skies, others have had a terrible downpour and others still have had
glistening white snow with boots crunching in a solemn rhythmic
cadence to the grave. What every cemetery has in common is that
they are a place to recollect, gather, remember and move forward.
During a gravesite committal at Allegheny Cemetery in
Lawrenceville, a full herd of deer were in full flight at great speed.
They bounded over tombstones and markers to the wonder and
amazement of the gathered family and friends. A single doe
stopped for a moment, looked at the assembled group then vanished
in a flash.
During a burial for an Air Force veteran, while the bagpiper played
Taps, an Air Force C-130 Hercules Turboprop flew directly over the
grave. The airplane was about 500 feet off the deck. It was loud, fast
and totally unexpected.
During a burial at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, there
were numerous fire trucks, squad trucks, ambulances and police
vehicles. They simultaneously sounded their sirens and airhorns in
one last outstanding tribute to a fallen volunteer firefighter.
Families have seen butterflies alighting on the headstone and
cardinals landing in trees and shrubs near the grave.
Imagine a single beam of sunshine break through threatening dark
clouds to shine directly onto the open grave then quickly disappear
after the casket was lowered into the ground.
This Industry Insight was written by Frank Perman, FD,
Supervisor, CFSP, CPC, CCO, CFC. He is the owner of Perman
Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 923 Saxonburg
Boulevard at Rt. 8 in Shaler Township. Mr. Perman believes
an educated consumer makes the most personal, affordable
and memorable decisions. Inquiries may be made to him at
412.486.3600 or emailed to [email protected].
The reverberating volley of a twenty-one-gun salute from an
honor guard causes an involuntary shudder and ringing in the ears.
The solemn playing of Taps echoes while a cold biting wind roared
through bundled winter coats.
These mo