Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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THE SPIRITS’' BOOK
"A visit made to his grave is a way of showing to a spirit that he is not forgotten; it is a sign.
As I have told you, it is the prayer that sanctifies the action of the memory; the place where it
is offered is of little importance, if it come from the heart."
324. When statues or other monuments are erected to persons who have quitted this life, are
the spirits of those persons present at their inauguration; and do they witness such
ceremonies with pleasure?
"Spirits often attend on such occasions, when able to do so; but they attach less importance to
the honours paid to them than to the remembrance in which they are held."
325. What makes some persons desire to be buried in one place rather than in another? Do
they go thither more willingly offer their death? And is it a sign of inferiority on the part of a
spirit that lie should attribute importance to a matter so Purely material?
"That desire is prompted by a spirit's affection for certain places and is a sign of moral
inferiority. To an elevated spirit, what Js one spot of earth more than another ? Does he not
know that his foul will be reunited with those he loves, even though their bones are
separated?
- Is it futile to bring together the mortal remains ins of all tile members of a family in the
same burial-place?
"Such reunion is of little importance to spirits ; but it is useful to men, whose remembrance of
those who have gone before them is thus strengthened and rendered more serious."
326. When the soul has returned into spirit-life, is it gratified by the honours paid to its
mortal remains?
"When a spirit has reached a certain degree of advancement, he is purified from terrestrial
vanities, for he comprehends their futility. But there are many spirits who, in the early period
of their return to the other life, take great pleasure in the honours paid to their memory, or are
much disturbed at finding themselves forgotten; for they still retain some of the false ideas
they held during their earthly life."
327. Do spirits ever attend their own funeral?
"Spirits very often do so; but, in many cases, without understanding what is going on, being
still in the state of confusion that usually follows death."