The family of dead Boston terrorist, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, faced the challenge of burying his body after it was released. His uncle, a man who decried the cowardly bombing and subsequent murder was given the task of finding a burial plot, but cemeteries were not willing for a number of reasons.
Eventually it was an informal interfaith group which found a small, isolated Muslim cemetery where Tsarnaev's body was interred. A Christian, Martha Mullen, told The Associated Press in a brief telephone interview that she offered to help after seeing news reports about towns and cemeteries refusing to allow burial. She said she is not the only person who helped with arrangements.“It was an interfaith effort,” she said. “Basically because Jesus says love your enemies.”
It's interesting that both hatred and love can follow us to the grave. I am impressed that a Christian decided to be guided by the principles of scripture, even in such emotionally fraught circumstances.
What do you think? Is it appropriate that people of faith helped bury who committed such heinous acts? Do you admire them?
4 comments:
I think it was handled well by those who contributed to finding a plot, but the larger question that lurks around the edges of this issue is "would you let him be buried in YOUR town?"
I wonder how people would answer that. (My own response would likely be "no.")
I didn't get why people didn't want to help. He is dead. He can't do anything more.I am glad for his family that he is buried. Maybe his wife and daughter will be able to find some healing. R.I.P.
I haven't followed this part of the story but agree with Laurie. There doesn't seem to be anything to be gained by refusing to help the families of a dead person and maybe some good is always gained in helping.
Thanks for these comments and insights. Cemeteries are full of the mortal remains of saints and sinners. There are many shysters, reprobates, and abusers buried alongside the "good guys and gals" I should know because I have stood at the gravesides of many of them! Our immediate outrage might colour our viewpoint, but in the end we are all "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust"
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