It was raining. It felt appropriate.
My parents, Kate’s parents, Kate, and her brother stood several feet away from Reid and I. Dad and Reid had briefly discussed how White Mountain pack’s death ceremonies were performed, as Black Summit’s predictably differed slightly.
Black Summit kept things abundantly simple—so simple, it almost seemed cold. The Alpha would acknowledge the deceased, invite anyone who wished to say any parting words up to the front of the crowd, and then the family of the deceased would take the body away to bury it, at which point the crowd was free to disperse.
White Mountain focused more on remembrance; we encouraged stories and emotions, not just quick parting words before sendoff. We also included a blessing. As the family searched for the perfect spot to bury t
