Death in Cozumel

It's a little weird to think about death when on vacation.  But, of course, death is a reality here in Cozumel.  Like every where.

There are at least two churches in Cozumel.  The newest ones, the Corpus Christi Cathedral, is located in my neighbourhood and gives my neighbourhood it's name.  Another church, San Miguel, is located downtown right beside a taco shop and a fabric store.  I don't know how old it is.  But it houses a 500 year old statue of St. Michael the Archangel, made of ivory.

I've gone by the San Miguel church many times.  But today was special.  There was a funeral service happening.  I didn't enter the church during the service.  Because it was full and it would have been disrespectful.  But I did enter after.  I'm not religious, but it felt especially spiritual.

I also went to a cemetery in town.  It has two sections.  An older and /or poorer section with mostly very small decrepit monuments.  And a fancier/newer section with family crypts.  Most with flowers and candles to honour the dead. I took these pictures during the day, when the gates were open.  I bicycle past the cemetery often on my way home from class.  At night, the gates are locked.  I'm not sure I'd go in then even if they were open.....

 Photos:
#1 - the pretty robust hearse outside the church
#2 - inside the church after the funeral service
#3 -the fancy part of the cemetery
#4 - the less fancy / older (?) part of the cemetery
#5 - flowers and candles in one of the mausoleums