Interesting how the Bulgarians and the Chinese funeral culture is similar, except the casket is opened during the wake, and it is sealed before it heads on the path to the grave.

I used to be unable to let go of the people I once loved too, but ever since my walk in my new faith I understand certain things that you pointed out, which is very correct

does the soul give us the features we have and the way we look, our expressions and personality.

Life itself brings a different feature to the human / animals, the very breath of it brings the energy that moves the shell where the soul resides.

And when that life no longer exist, so is the entire setting, the soul, the spirit, they cannot stay in the shell when life is not there anymore.

Hence the transition of death occurs.

It is indeed a transition, I too strongly believe ever more, for what we have, what we can feel, they are all temporary, for all these things rot and decay; but what inside of us is eternal, where moth and rust and rot cannot destroy.

And where that goes, only those who has been there and returned with a message can truly tell us how it is.

(I happened to know someone who was dead for approximately 2 hours - uncertain - and is alive today to tell the story)

Glad you find a way to deal with death and departure. For the Chinese culture, they have a 49 days (7 weeks) culture where the family prays for the dead for the deceased sins, just like the Bulgarians.

I personally feel it is more for the ones who were left behind to coup with the lost of their love one; and that is a very important phase of life.

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