Funerals

Today Marie and I attended a funeral. Here is what we learned...

Typically a funeral is done in the person's home. The Guatemalan homes are fairly open, so they can fit lots of people. The one we went to had many chairs set up inside.

We came in, sat down, and waited.

"What time does the funeral start?" we asked.
"At 7:00 or whenever the pastor shows up," was our Guatemalan friend's response. :)

We started singing at 7:30. :)
Then we heard a fantastic message on the perfect consolation we receive from God from 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. Finally, they served a refreshment of bread and coffee to thank all for attending.

Here are some additional facts:
1. They can have an open-casket or closed-casket at the funeral.
2. Many people bring food (corn, sugar, etc.) to help the family out financially.
3. There is a large bow outside the house of someone who has died. A white bow represents someone young or elderly. A black bow represents anyone between those ages.

Tomorrow they will have a time of prayer and then head to the cemetery.