Dark clouds gather but no rain falls. The humid and dark air settles over a hill in Virginia. People dressed in black come and go, then stop.
Soon, particularly young and sturdy individuals among them step forward and dig into the earth with shovels. After digging to about shoulder height, they climb back up.
And into that hole, they lower a coffin.
The priest-cum-pastor sprinkles soil and flowers over it.
"John Courtney, we entrust your soul to God and lay your body to rest in the earth. Lord, may you resurrect John Courtney on the final day and grant him eternal life."
"...Amen."
"Amen."
"Amen."
Thus proceeds the funeral of an English man who settled in Virginia at the age of 30.
His wife had already died giving birth to their second son back in England, so there was no one to be buried beside him.
Mourners, including his two sons whom he brought to this land, commemorated his untimely death.
"Good heavens... not even fifty years old yet..."
