Over forty years ago, our family lived in Doha, Qatar. My father had a business partner there, a local man who quickly became more than just a colleague. He was kind, honourable, and deeply respected. Over time, the two of them developed a friendship founded on trust and mutual understanding.
One day, my father learned that his partner had lost his brother to cancer after a long and painful journey. Just a few days later, he saw his partner arrive at the office. His clothes still carried traces of soil. Gently, my father asked if he was all right. His partner quietly responded that he had just come from the cemetery, where he had buried his brother.
My father was stunned.
“I didn’t know,” he said. “If I had, I would have come. I would have wanted to stand by you.”
“It was a very private funeral,” his partner replied. “Only a few of us were there.”
“Could you take me to his grave?” my father asked. “I’d like to pay my respects.”
His partner paused, then answered with calm sincerity.
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t point it out. In our tradition, we don’t place names or markers on graves. We believe that the person is no longer there. What lies beneath the earth is only the body. The soul has returned to its Creator.”
Later that evening, my father shared this moment with us. It had touched him deeply. After years of living in Qatar, he had not only grown to understand but also deeply respect the Bedouin worldview. It was spare and grounded, carrying a quiet wisdom that he found enlightening. As I grew older, I came to appreciate that perspective too. There was something powerful in the idea that the spirit moves on, that we are more than our bodies. I often found myself reflecting on that truth, especially as I felt my connection to those who had passed away.
Of course, not everyone grieves the same way. For many, visiting a loved one’s grave offers a sense of peace, allowing them to feel close again. For others, remembrance lives in stories, in silence, or prayer.
There is no single path through grief. Each journey is personal. And yet, in our different ways, we are all seeking the same comfort and healing.
Together, we are light.
