Mom and Dad had previously moved from Central New York State to South Texas. Mom had adjusted easily to their new surroundings; my father gave halfhearted approval. There’s no place like home and home was New York. Years passed and the health of both was in decline. Death loomed over the horizon and Mom began to plan final arrangements.

Budgeting was a priority; she decided upon cremation and burial back home. She passed away first and I boarded a plane with Dad to take her ashes to her original home in Central New York. Dad remained there and was content to be in familiar surroundings with his family. Believing cremation was not necessary, he had a traditional funeral and burial next to his wife of over 50 years.

The wishes of both my parents were fulfilled; they were buried back home.

It was also the wish of Israel (Patriarch Jacob).

“When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, ‘Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.’

And he said, ‘I will do as you have said (Genesis 47:29-30 NKJV).”