’Idál, 01 Qudrat (Power), 178 B.E.

Seen

Milkweed seed “clouds”

Touch gently …

Done

I could not rake this …

Noted

Astral Prospecting on Instagram

Wheel bug (Arilus cristatus)

Marc Bosserman on Instagram and Marc Bosserman Music and Musings on YouTube - You Are the Sunshine of My Life

Tab’s Galaxy on YouTube

Quoted

Extracts from letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi

Regarding the Bahá’í funeral service: it is extremely simple, as it consists only of a congregational prayer to be read before burial … your National Spiritual Assembly should take great care lest any uniform procedure or ritual in this matter be adopted or imposed upon the friends. The danger in this, as in some other cases regarding Bahá’í worship, is that a definite system of rigid trials and practices be developed among the believers. The utmost simplicity and flexibility should one observed, and a selection from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings would serve the purpose at the present time, provide this selection is not rigidly and uniformly adopted on all such occasions.

(10 January 1936 to a National Spiritual Assembly) 1

Introduction

Just as we prepare for the birth of a new baby, it is equally important to pay a lot of attention to the preparation of those passing to the spiritual worlds of God. Many of us are unprepared and suddenly we are faced with the need to render this service for a beloved soul.

There is much information about Bahá’í Funerals and Burial Practices scattered in many different publications. This booklet is not meant to replace these resources. Rather, it is an attempt to provide a handy guide to assist individuals and institution to extend this sacred service to Bahá’ís. …

This booklet will hopefully serve as a valuable aid and make it unnecessary to search many places for the answers one needs in arranging a befitting fare=well for a soul whose earthly sojourn has ended and is now embarking on the next phase of its journey through the glorious Worlds of God. 2

My sister and brother-in-law recently relocated and chose to donate several books in their library rather than move them. Many of these volumes are not well-known, but due to the topics they cover and the manner in which their authors explore them, they warrant a nod of recognition before being sent on their way. Accordingly, most quotes referenced in the “Quoted” section come from these books. Maybe they will stir (or renew) your interest, too.

  1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, editor. Bahá’í Burial and the Bahá’í Funeral Service. 1995. Reprint, Bahá’í Publications Australia, 1997. 10. [return]
  2. Reyes, Natalie M. A Guide to Bahá’í Funeral and Burial Practices, with Tips on Body Preparation and Useful Information on Arranging One’s Affairs. 2001. 2nd Edition, Elegant Impressions, 2005, Introduction. [return]