THE DEATH MASK

 

The Egyptians went all out when a rich or important person died.

Jars carved from alabaster, precious stones and gold laid throughout their tombs. 

But what I find the most beautiful and troubling are the death masks. 

They are sometimes the most ornate and finely crafted part of the burial outfit. 

Literally, they are priceless which is why they were often stolen.

Figuratively, they are the most destructive elements of the ritual of seeing one off to the land of the dead. 

The eulogy is a must for a funeral. You have to find people that had positive experiences with the deceased to send them on to glory. 

One shouldn't speak ill of the dead. Their secrets get buried with them. That is, until it becomes profitable to dig them up.

The death mask is the most deceptive kind of mask. Some of the last words heard by relatives and loved ones about a person tend to linger in their hearts and minds. 

Its improper to talk about how they sinned while alive. Who are we to judge right?

If you can't say something nice you just shouldn't show up to the ritual at all.

Sounds polite but not fair. 

Some dead people leave behind victims who never got to speak and receive justice. 

Go ahead and put that mask on them if you want to stay on the good side of decorum but don't expect others to be fake along with you.

And the least you can do is not judge someone for not showing up to the funeral.

They had their reasons. 

If you are going to assume a motive, assume its respect...for themselves.