Anyone else might have been shocked to hear such words; death was no topic you could discuss freely with people, especially if they had experienced the end of their loved ones. Savash wasn’t like that, though. While it did still scare her a little that she would die someday, the thought about it had become normal over time. People died. Animals died, too. Every living thing would be gone someday. And that was normal.
And then, a death came with so many things. Feelings. A preparation to send away the departed beloved. It was sad, but Sav found funerals to be strangely reassuring. The living hurt - but the dead were in peace now, and just like they had received respect in life, it was right for them to get it one last time. As such, the man’s words did not shock her; on the contrary. “I would not say I enjoy them, but… there is certainly something about them that touches you. Death is like life. Of course, it’s best when life does not end too early… yet sometimes that also happens.”
“It’s fascinating, isn’t it, how people celebrate both in their own ways?” She paused, thoughtful. “We fear death, and with reason… yet I like to think it ought to be treated… a bit more lightly. Perhaps a celebration of it would sound a bit grim, yet it’s just an end. And all that we know has one, us too. I’m glad people all over the world have their own traditions of handling the departed. You can’t agree with everyone or even like them… though even those people deserve to be sent away kindly.” / @fantasycorrupted
⸸ ⸻ 𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 been things of great comfort to Henry; so much so that while most people daydream about their weddings and the birth of their future children, he's content to think of burning boats and dismal wardrobes. While it would be inaccurate to say that he romanticises death, he acknowledges a casket for the miniature kingdom that it is. In a lot of cases, a hole that is two feet wide and six feet deep is the most a person has ever owned.
❛ I think death is typically feared for the unknown factor. That is normal. I don't begrudge people for being afraid of things they can't predict— but given that I don't really believe in anything, that we just die and that's that, the void certainly has appeal that life does not. ❜
That isn't to say that he hates living in its entirety. Even somebody as lost and angry as him can appreciate things for what they are. He loves travelling, church-spotting and good food. Music that touches the deepest, most private of emotions; the ones he keeps buried like most do their dead. Despite his crippling depression, life itself is not to blame. He recognises that.
❛ But I think that's why I like funerals: for once, people are quiet, and I can envision these people finally being able to sleep. Isn't that what we all want? Just some damn sleep? ❜
