Yesturday was a sad day for my family......?

We lost one of our most loved elders.She had gotten up for breakfast ate and drank some oj and then she told all her family that was home with her that she loved them all.She gave everyone a hug & kiss and told the younger gran-kids also how much she loved them she also told everyone that she wishes she could stay around longer but she can't.She then went to her room to lie down and she died in her sleep.We are native americans from Wisconsin and i truly believe that she said all that to everyone who was near her because she new she was done with this world.We are having a traditional indian funeral for her,we started a fire last night before the sun went down,and this fire will stay lit,to light her way until she reaches the end of her journey.We already had a 1st feast yesterday,and we will continue to till after we bury her on thursday.Then 1 week after that,we will have another feast as then she will have reached the end of her journey and will be ready to go in to the spirit world.Traditional Native American funerals are just so sad and there are a lot of things we have to follow,such as covering all mirrors in your home(it is said should you look in the mirror you will see the person who is ping on.Also we put ashes on our children's foreheads because the person leaving us doesn't like to go alone so by putting ashes on the kids foreheads keeps them safe.No woman is to handle the food(if she is on her moon/period.All leftover food if to be burned not just thrown away because if you just throw it out it is considered you are feeding the departed on to the animals.On our indian reservation when people die,they usually go in threes.I guess i just wanted to give you all some insight on how native americans burying and respect,& honor our people when they leave us and they start their journey to the spirit world.Thanks for listening.