South African Burial

It is a dramatic photo that I took at a South African burial. The coffin is here being delivered to the grave by pall-bearers. It is the third and final part of a funeral -- which typically takes place first in the home, then in the Church, then at the graveside. Families or clans tend to be very large in South Africa. Close relatives (up to four steps removed) may easily number in the hundreds. Therefore pall-bearers are rotated as the service(s) progress. At the fore of the coffin is an opening for the viewing of the body -- which may be opened two or three times during the course of the funeral. You may click on the photo to enlarge to 170k.