The funeral director immediately pulled out his personal phone and dialed emergency emergency services.

Martha turned her body back toward the suspended casket.

“Open this lid immediately.”

This time, the funeral director did not ask for Valerie’s permission.

He quickly signaled his workers to operate the machinery and bring the box back up to ground level.

The mechanical motor hummed softly as the casket rose inch by inch until it rested flat on the artificial green turf.

The director unlocked the silver latches with hands that shook visibly.