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[English Translation] and some of the Clergy go to accompany him to the burial. The body is covered with a white sheet to demonstrate the state of innocence of the faithful deceased, to whom God has not imputed sin, having a red silk cross over it, to demonstrate also that he has received this savor through the sufferings and shedding of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. All along the road which is quite long (especially since all the cemeteries are outside the city containing one thousand two hundred paces in circumference at the largest, and at the smallest eight hundred) we go singing some hymn touching the contempt of this life, and exaltation of the future and blessed life, harmonizing the voices with the musical instruments in a sad and lamentable way. Having arrived at the grave or tomb, the body is placed on trestles, then the Bishop, or Curate, immediately makes a brief oration in praise of the deceased, if there is cause for praise, if not, he will take some commonplace of the misery and brevity of this life, exhorting each one not to make any statement of it, except as in passing, and that he who dies in Jesus Christ, is very happy, resting from his labors, and other such remarks. |
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