How we bury the dead says much about how we understand life. In Jewish tradition, little is seen as more sacred. As far back as our forefather Abraham, we ensured a place of burial in accordance with Jewish tradition. Jacob is understood to have placed a marker at Rachel’s gravesite to ensure that those who came after them would know of its sacred significance. Burial rituals are viewed as an act of unconditional love, ensuring that the deceased are treated with respect and care, even when they can no longer care for themselves.

 

In the case of military funerals, this is even more important. The shock of a sudden loss, often of a younger person who served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice, can create enduring grief for all who knew them. Knowing the regard that their country has for them says as much about who we are as it does about those who died fighting for it.

 

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