Are You Reverent?

[Nakosis]

One of the earliest forms of "religion", we know of, is reverence for the dead. We have found intentional burial of humans at least 200,000 maybe even more than 300,000 years back. More than that, a feeling of reverence seems to be even present in some animals, elephants and crows show, what can be interpreted as grief, mourning and even burial.
Reverence for the dead is a reminder of our own mortality, but it also carries a notion of an afterlife in it. Burial rituals are today almost always connected with religion, even though it is a big jump from a belief in an afterlife to the belief in a god or gods.
Thus, reverence is not exclusive to believers. So, this question goes mainly, but not exclusively, to the unbelievers here.

Do you feel reverence for the dead?

No. I suspect because I haven't really been closed to anyone who's died.
It might be different if I had. Someone maybe I had looked up to.

 

[Audie]

I comprehend respecting them and sometimes abiding by the wishes of the person made before they die. Perhaps they ask to be buried in a certain way, and perhaps I follow that wish.

I also feel superstitious about the dead, as if they might be watching me. My mother...a dead pet, etc. This does not connect with the above feelings of respect, because I question it. Its not certain, and it doesn't seem like I should encourage this feeling.

If I did not question it, and if I felt confidently that the dead were observing me then I might become reverent like some people are. Some cultures do reverence their dead, and in some cultures children are taught that the dead do see them and guide them. If it were me I'd find that very convincing. Its simple, easy to believe, easy to accept.

Reverence ain't a verb