CHAPTER XXIV
PROPER CARE OF THE DECEASED
The vital body is the vehicle of sense-perception.
As it remains with the body of feeling (the desire
body) and the etheric cord connects them with the
discarded dense body, it will be evident that until the
cord is severed there must be a certain amount of
feeling experienced by the Ego when its dense body is
molested. Thus, it causes pain when the blood is
extracted and embalming fluid injected, when the body
is opened for postmortem examination, and when the
body is cremated.
A case was told the writer in which a surgeon
amputated three toes from a living person under
anesthetic. He threw the severed toes into a bright coal
fire and immediately the patient commenced to
scream, for the rapid disintegration of the material toes
caused an equally rapid disintegration of the etheric
toes, which were connected with the higher vehicles.
In like manner molestations affect the discarnate Spirit
from a few hours to three and one-half days after
death. Then all connection is severed and the body
begins to decay.
Therefore great care should be taken not to cause
the passing Spirit discomfort by such measures. Quiet
and prayer are of enormous benefit at that time and if