MEDFORD, Wis. – One of nine Amish injured when a car crashed into their buggy Wednesday has died. Sheriff Larry Woebbeking has not released the names of any injured persons. There were 10 people in the buggy. A Medford man, Skyler M. Opelt, 35, who was driving the vehicle that rear-ended the buggy, has been charged with multiple crimes, including drunken driving. Because of the death now of one Amish passenger, the charges were expected to be elevated to include homicide.
Amish funerals
When there is an Amish, death away from home, the family brings the corpse home. This is done quickly so as to hasten the departed person’s journey to a hereafter. Practice varies among Amish orders, but most Amish hand-dig a grave and take the body in a horse-drawn wagon for burial the next morning. Usually there are four pallbearers from the family. A preacher says a final prayer at the gravesite. The family throws sod onto the casket.