We House Ourselves

Hanging coffins are an ancient funeral custom of some minority groups, especially the Bo people of southern China. Coffins of various shapes were mostly carved from one whole piece of wood. Hanging coffins either lie on beams projecting outward from vertical faces such as mountains, are placed in caves in the face of cliffs, or sit on natural rock projections on mountain faces. They can be found in various locations, including China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It was said that the hanging coffins could prevent bodies from being taken by beasts and also bless the soul eternally. -Wikipedia

This got me thinking metaphorically about where we bury our dead. Where do we keep our spirits, go to pray, place and protect, remember that which we wish to preserve? Wishing for places to put thoughts, intentions, grievances a physical resting house made fit, armoured with a facade offering protection and built-in structure and beauty to honor what or whom might lay inside.

When I was camping in Alaska a few years ago, my friend Kelly and I stumbled upon an Eklutna Russian Orthodox Cemetary. At first I thought we had found a pet cemetery, as to me, the tiny little brightly colored houses resembled dog houses. Quickly, we gathered where we were. I love that these tiny houses can offer refuge and hospitality to visiting spirits in the resting world.

A place to pray and put all of the things…

Man praying at the wailing wall. Notice the small pieces of paper pressed into the cracks between the stones. These slips of paper typically contain prayers and are left by worshipers.