The Bible As A Reference

President Jimmy Carter’s State Funeral was not without controversy. While most of the country’s luminaries attended, there was one notable absence. Former First Lady First Lady Michelle Obama chose to not be present. Her decision prompted debate. Some pointed towards the historical precedence for guidance. For the Bible literate, the Torah offers direction. In fact, it serves as an excellent resource for funeral etiquette.

Historical precedence is something mechanical and devoid of purpose. Tradition is only tradition. Even when you are fiddling on a roof, it is still “tradition.” Why should people collectively get together in the first place?

The Carter funeral has much context that makes Mrs. Obama’s absence controversial. First, Carter was a Democrat. He was from Mrs. Obama’s party. While Carter’s Presidency was not particularly outstanding, most Americans will concede that Carter led an exemplary life. He committed his post-presidency to making a positive societal impact. Notably, he promoted the organization Habitat for Humanity.

Second, since Mrs. Obama’s service as First Lady, she too has engaged in charitable activities. Unlike Carter, however, she has accumulated unprecedented wealth off of their family’s service. The Obamas received millions of dollars from both book and Netflix deals. One book deal, according to Variety, yielded the couple $65,000,000. Thus, she is someone financially able to afford to take time out of her schedule to attend the funeral.

It is quite possible that her appearance would have been a positive for her. Her attendance would have enhanced her profile. Certainly, she could have share the experience during future interview or press junkets. The moment would have givern her new material to offer as she continues to promote her books and projects.

Third, for Mrs. Obama, encountering the then President-Elect Donald Trump could have been uncomfortable. After all, the two had exchanged barbs during the recent election. Would this meeting yielded and outbreak? Or, could it have been as benign as a handshake and a greating?

Beyond the historical precedence, there was the greater reality. The event was no surprise. Given Carter’s advanced age and ailing health, everyone knew a funeral was inevitable. Schedules would have to be changed. Certainly, those dealing with former First Lady Obama certainly would have been deferential.

Mrs. Obama’s reason for not attending was a scheduling conflict. This was according the NYTimes’ article citing an anonymous source. “The former first lady was in Hawaii and had a scheduling conflict.”

While there is no real official book of etiquette addressing State funerals, The Torah, however, provides two insightful burial references.

Both Abraham and Isaac’s burials involved controversy. Both Patriarch’s children had periods of sibling animus.

With Abraham, to insure Isaac’s status, Ishmael and his mother were sent away from the camp. They were forced to live a life on their own. Despite this troubling background, at the time of Abraham’s death, the Torah notes: “And Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him at the cave of Machpelah.” Genesis 25:9.

Isaac’s funeral also came with a history of animus. Jacob, for all intensive purposes, stole Esau’s birthright. Despite this discord, at the time of the Isaac’s death, the Torah notes: “And Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him.” Genesis 35:29

Implied from these Genesis passages, funerals presented as a time that personal matters are to set aside. Funeral’s focus is to send away the departed in peace. In these moments, a glimmer of hope happens. It offers the possibility that that people have the capacity to set aside differences and get along.

Conclusion

State Funerals can be healthy moments for a country. Being a democracy, the United States stirs up ill will and division during election cycles. A State funeral offers a rare opportunity for the whole country to set aside their political and personal differences. This moment evidences the potential that people have the capacity to set disputes and unite.

With the Carter State Funeral, the Bible brings meaning to protocol and tradition. In this instance, the American family fell one short.

Be well!!

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