Happenings around Fort Yukon

Today we have a half-day of school because of a funeral this afternoon. Three days ago a 30-year-old man died suddenly at his parent's house. He was the son of our Tribal Chief. His family has decided not to send his body to Fairbanks to find out what caused his death, so he will be buried today.
School is always cancelled for funerals. Fort Yukon is a place where everyone is related in some way, if you look hard enough, so the school officials know that teachers and students will all be attending the funeral. This one will be held in the school gymnasium because our Episcopal church (where funerals are traditionally held) is not large enough.
Funerals here are not the typical "Lower 48" funerals. During the winter, the men can take several days digging the grave before they can bury the body. Any able-bodied man is expected to help out. Caskets are simple homemade boxes that are left open for the viewing before the funeral, and then when it is time to start the funeral, someone comes up with a cordless screwdriver and screws down the board that serves as a lid.
We had a big funeral a couple of months ago. In the gym, any sound system is hard to hear, and when you add that to the low, mumbly voice of the Episcopal priest, it is hard to understand what is going on. Bryan was at this funeral and the Episcopal priest suddenly asked all of the ministers to come to the front. Bryan wasn't sure exactly what he said, but several people nudged him to go forward. He and the Baptist preacher looked at each other, shrugged, and walked to the front of the gym. They weren't sure what was going to happen once they got up there. They were each asked to pray and then they all sang "Precious Memories" together. That seems to be the one song that is sung at every funeral here.
After the graveside service, every man takes turns shoveling the dirt back into the grave. Then everyone heads over to the "potlatch." This is what we would call a potluck meal.