A noble tradition probably born of necessity that I hadn't experienced until I became a part of Kay's extended family. As a last labor of love and respect, the male family members dig the final resting place and build a wooden vault to place the casket in. Immediately following the services, the grave is covered over, all work is done by hand. This grave was especially difficult and took them eight hours to dig due to the long dry spell that we have been having. The heavy clay soil located in the hills of Sicily Island was compacted and took pick axes to penetrate. Personally, I have only had to assist with one grave digging for Kay's younger brother who passed away when Darrell was seven.
