the Crematorium

Upon opening one of the two large wooden doors to the Crematorium, our Funeral assistant greeted us. I looked around the small comfortable room.

There on a trolley with a green linen cover was a little white casket.

The grieving Mother and Father approached the simple box. Alexandra began to weep. Her tears fell on the white linen which covered the casket, making water spots there.

Alexandra asked to see inside. We opened the casket and looked at the tiny body, wrapped in linens and sheepskin with a small Teddy Bear at his side. Viktor looked like he was asleep. Alexandra wept deeply.

We moved to the next room where the gas furnace had been made ready. The furnace man stood humbly by. Jaromir took the casket in his arms, and with a look requested me to take an end. We approached the furnace opening with the box and inserted it. Standing back, the heat already noticeable, Jaromir pressed the button. The door slowly closed. The dial for the gas set to 3. The furnace wailed.

We returned back to the waiting room. Alexandra wept for some time. Jaromir wept quietly, holding his wife closely. I meditated and thanked the little one for his teachings.

The thought came to me as I listened to the wailing machines in the next room. This little ones water was now in the air, outside. Carried by the light breezes on this Sunny day. Falling to the ground all around, becoming part of the earth again, nurturing the Spring flowers there.