Beauty in Death

The last activity I pictured myself doing on a warm Sunday afternoon in Montevideo was going to a cemetery. I guess I envisioned my afternoon being composed of beaches, street markets, and coffee, the objects that shape most of my afternoons here in this beautiful country. This afternoon, however, my awesome (and I really do mean awesome) teacher and friend Ronnie Rama has brought three of us students to the cemetery.
Why are we here? Well, several reasons.

One, for the sake of history. There is much to learn about this country's view on death and burial. Cemeteries in Uruguay, and many South American countries, are nothing like the cemeteries in the states. Here, families buy plots of land and a corresponding wall space to be buried together. Each plot of land features a statue, monument, house, or other structure unique to that family. Also, the bodies are stored in the thick walls of the cemetery, the families' wall space, for two years. After those two years, they are removed, compressed, and put into the plots of land. The system is very interesting but makes sense. Ronnie also taught us about the typical "symbols of death" and what they represent. For example, an upside down burning torch found on many tombs represents the light on the other side, or life after death. An hourglass with wings represents the concept "time flies." Who knew cemetery symbolism could be so interesting.

Secondly, put best in the words of Ronnie, "visiting a cemetery can be life-affirming." Being in the presence of thousands of dead affirms that you are alive. It reminds me that life is short. We are living in the dot with the line of eternity ahead of us. We are breathing. We are walking. We are experiencing life. And we should experience this short moment to the fullest.

Third reason, for the sake of art. Each grave is a work of art- full of symbolism, sculptures, inscriptions, design, and intricate architecture. In a strange way, the cemetery is beautiful. Beauty can be found in death because each monument represents the unique life and accomplishments of an individual. The graves are nothing like graves in the states, cookie cutter tombstones that seem to have come from a magazine. (I wonder what a magazine for tombstones is called... Tombstones R' Us? How awkward.) Acres upon acres of large sculptures. A morbid art museum. It is awesome, once you get past the fact that you are surrounded by thousands of skeletons.

Overall, this outing gave me insight into the country's beliefs on death and a view of some fantastic sculptures. Most of all, I was reminded that I am alive and should be using this precious life for God's glory and to spread His name!

Don't worry, the rest of my Sunday was filled with less morbid events, like drinking cortados and inhaling absolutely fantastic desert at a local restaurant. Until next time!