The afternoon was hot with humidity typical of the tropics. When my wife and I turned a corner on the way home, something interrupted our thoughts and conversations. We heard the sound of a party or a party.
As we approached the house where the noise was coming from, we noticed the usual signs of a wild party. Some have become loud and belligerent from drinking. The men were arguing on the sidewalk in front of the house.
But this collection had something else. Everyone present was dressed in black. After crossing the street to avoid the crowds, something in the house surprised us. At one end of the room was a small coffin, apparently a child. Garlands of flowers covered the coffin. Someone put a candle in front of him.
All of this filled us with curiosity. Apparently we noticed our expression of confusion, a man walking on our side of the street came up to us and explained to us, "This is a candle", which means "This is a trail". He added: "You will be there all night."
This left us with many questions. We ask ourselves: what is the purpose of staying awake all night in the presence of the dead? Why decorate the coffin with wreaths and place lighted candles nearby? Was it appropriate for mourners to drink and celebrate someone's death? Is it to make crystal awakenings for the dead all night?
Find answers
We returned home that evening determined to find answers to these questions. Our research included interviews with people here in El Salvador as well as referrals for advice. We have found?
The Spanish Illustrated Encyclopedia Cumbre states that the purpose of resuscitation is to be with the family of the deceased and to praise him. The body is not always in a coffin. Sometimes it can be left on your deathbed. Religious objects and lighted candles usually surround the corpse. Sometimes the path contains burnt herbs or incense, as well as flowers around the coffin. As with the waking state we have observed, the house often provides food and drink for those present.
We have found that the alarm functions vary slightly by zone. In some Latin American countries, for example, a dead child is placed on a chair and disguised as an angel. This is based on the belief that the child's “immortal soul” will go straight to Heaven. We also read in the newspaper El Salvador, El Diario de Hoy:
In some communities in El Salvador and Central America, fireworks are lit and happy songs are sung to the beat of guitars and violins when someone dies, especially if it is a child. Tamales are made with sweets and served with alcoholic drinks. . . . The people of these churches believe that children will immediately fly to heaven and become “angels of God”. According to connoisseurs, this custom of singing during a vigil or ceremony is a rare blend of Christianity and unknown Native American traditions. ""
Non-Christian origin
That last sentence, "a rare blend of Christianity and unknown indigenous [indigenous] traditions," made an important point. Resuscitation does not have a Christian origin. Confirmation of this is an article in the Encyclopædia Britannica on resuscitation in England:
“The custom, as far as England is concerned, seems to have predated Christianity and was essentially Celtic. It certainly had a superstitious origin, the fear that evil spirits might damage or even remove the body, perhaps with help desire. to ward off mice and other plagues ... With Christianity, prayer offerings were only offered to the awakened, which until then were marked with formal funeral songs and motifs from the history of life of the dead with a plate of salt. in the trunk it was placed under the table, where people drank for the public. These private revivals quickly turned into drinking orgies.
Besides the non-Christian origins of awakening, the accompanying ceremonies in which garlands and candles are lit, and the bizarre custom of dressing dead children in such a way that they look like "angels" against christianity. As? Because these things show many that people have an immortal soul that lives after death.
However, the Bible presents death in a whole new light. Jesus' words about one of his deceased friends are instructive. We read: "Lazaro, our friend, rested, but I will wake him." but he spoke of his death. But they showed up, talking about resting in the dream. At that moment, Jesus openly said to them, "Lazarus is dead."
Jesus compared death to sleep. Just as humans are unconscious while sleeping, the Bible assures us: "As for the dead, they are completely unconscious." - Ecl. 9: 5; Job 3: 11-13; Psalm 146: 3, 4.
Does this mean we will never be able to see our loved ones again? On the contrary, Jesus promised: "Do not be surprised, for the moment will come when all in the tombs will hear your voice and come out." (John 5, 28, 29) During his earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated his power in this regard. The Bible tells of three resurrections he performed. (Luke 7: 11-17; 8:41, 42, 49-56; John 11: 1-44.) Interestingly, those who died returned to humans after the resurrection. Jesus demonstrated the security of hope in the resurrection rather than the survival of an immortal soul in an invisible world.
Our research was very informative. In short, we learned that the vigil for the dead came from a pre-Christian, unbiblical religion. Moreover, this custom promotes the false belief that an immortal soul after death returns to life in an invisible world. Biblical principles are also violated when waking up due to frequent alcohol consumption and unlimited driving.
Of course, it is good to visit mourners for comfort and help. Whether this occurs during visiting hours at a cemetery or otherwise is a matter of personal choice. However, following prolonged mourning and night watch is not a Christian practice.