Alaskan Orthodox "spirit houses"

[Schultz]

Came across this interesting photo-article depicting the "spirit houses" one may find in some Alaska Orthodox cemeteries.

Anyone know any more about these?

[GabrieltheCelt]

The Spirit Houses in Eklutna

The brightly colored doll size cabins make up a tiny graveyard city. Red, white, yellow and blue, the houses feature the double cross of the Russian Orthodox faith and are filled with tokens of a life lived here. A dish, where meals are placed for the first 40 days after passing, a favorite teacup, a well worn sweater, or a favorite toy. The children's spirit houses are the size of shoe boxes, while an adult house can be as large as 6 x 4 feet.

For the complete article-
http://www.hotelsbycity.net/blog/usa_alaska_anchorage/2008/07/09/the-spirit-houses-of-eklutna-alaska/

[Andrew21091]

Pretty interesting. It seems like a nice thing to do in remembrance of people who have departed this life by putting things that they were known for in the little houses. It kind of seems like some of their personality is kept alive in these little houses.

[samkim]

Good example of filial piety and ancestor veneration.

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