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This is apart of a fantastic set of pieces, done by  Queenhyena for Plight of the Rose. This is the Omega panel that accompanies the Alpha piece and the original can be found here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/16219149/

In this scene, Teela (in her second life (Not a reference to that chat/game, BTW.) form) has her final goodbye to her life long lover, Caleb. Both have lived full lives and it is simply the aging process that forces them to part. Final rights are being administered before the simple coffin is lowered into the ground to be buried. Emotions run strong and this scene is indeed sad.

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Night #???: We can't always get what we want.

The ceremony for Caleb Rose's burial was held that very evening.
A fair amount of the residence had gathered around. For the love affair between Teela and Caleb was well beheld.
Despite what the telltale signs of age may have done to her face and body, Teela Rose held her beloved in her arms for the last time. Dressed in a flowing gown of pitch black coloring, she never took her eyes off of his sleeping face as she knelt down towards the freshly dug grave.
A small container of locally grown wooden planks had been crafted to act as a shallow barrier to the surrounding dirt. It was held a bit in mid-air by a couple ropes on pulleys, held by several onlookers. As she, and she alone, proceed to lay the be-stilled body of Caleb Rose, child of the dearly departed Morse and Lara Sirius, into the slightly chilled box.
The priestess [REFERENCE] [Make sure the head priestess is actually labeled as a priestess.] hefted her book and began to read aloud a passage that was written long, long ago. It's purpose was supposedly intended as final instructions towards the wandering spirit, just in case it was lingering about. "From that which we came from, shall we return to find guidance to the completed circle. The path of one of our own has reached it's end point. I beg to thee, our Lord of The Light, to shine forth upon the final route to this most worthy of souls. Lend him your love and bring him back into your pastures of eternally green fields. Give him safe passage and eternal rest. He gave his life for the community and bless us all in protecting his afterlife. Acknowledge all his good deeds on a daily basis and shower him in blissful praise. Let him forever know that we cherished his brief moments upon this mortal realm. Forever..." Well...she did ramble on and on like that for quite some time as the rays of the day's light grew ever so faint. Nobody could even tell if she was actually reading or just creating some adlibitum from her own swanning thoughts into the long winded lecture.
Teela couldn't bring herself to vocalize any final words. Her mind was swimming with the memories of his days with her. Indeed, she just wanted to close her eyes and live a midst that tidal wave of imagery to avoid the sour reality of where she was; activities and all.
The rest of the world seemed to be holding it's breath. Now, if that was just an illusion from the be-stilled winds and hushed voices or if that held any water, who was qualified to judge the point.
She knelt there, fighting the logical step to pull her arms from under his backside as the priestess lent a helping hand of understanding upon her shoulder. A weak desire to do something so radical that it could bring life back to his slumped body was hiding in the limelight cast from the flickering illuminations of her own internal mind. It just didn't have the power to accomplish it's whispered promises. As the tears swarmed down her muzzle to moisten his restful face, she leaned in and kissed his cheek, almost knowing that her wishes were beyond reach. Absolutely set on letting him bed down inside the simple container...if only in the coming minute.
And, when she withdrew her shaking arms to stare downwards as the box smoothly took to the shadows inside the rectangular hole, Teela almost impulsively jumped into the hole with him. An ounce of public respect had locked her muscles down from doing so. And so she just knelt there...staring.
"...The realms of life and death are mere illusions in comparison to what truly exists. Keep our beloved Caleb safe in your kingdom and let him guide the way for our fallen brethren..."
"Caleb! Caleb! You promised!!!"
The sudden outburst was a surprise to all, drawing stares.
The elderly female whom started crying out was one of Caleb's surviving sisters from a younger pack.
Nobody dared stop her or question why she said what she did.
Hardly mattered. She broke down into soft sobbing, right afterwards.
Teela could not break her gaze upon Caleb, even as the box found it's nadir point in the hole after the strongest that were gathered there released the slack filled ropes.
"...Let us all reflect upon our times with Brother Caleb for a moment. And, in this moment, acknowledge in silence upon the great loss that we all shall take in burden upon his loss."
Only the distant sound of the world continuing to turn was daring to break the silence of that moment.
To Teela, it barely mattered. The world could have been exploding with marching bands and her sincerest of feelings wouldn't have been disturbed by any degree. She would continue to stay on bended knees and gaze down until the box was prepared for sealing.
"Come, Miss Rose. Let us grieve in the temple for the evening. Anything you need can be provided for." It was one of the younger nuns, volunteering to guide Teela by the paw, away from the open grave.
"He was my life." softly whispered Teela as she found the will to stand. "How am I suppose to carry on, now?"
"One day at a time, Miss Rose." replied the nun in equally hushed tones. "Attend Mass. Keep us informed on your needs. Carry forth, as do we all. You are a prominent member to this community and an asset to it's livelihood."
As the nun left with Teela, a couple of the other attendees began to apply freshly disturbed dirt about the closed box. Thus beginning Caleb's process of returning his mound of flesh and bone back to the world from which it's core materials once came from.

For days on end, Teela looked at the world through tunnel vision. It seemed like every turn she made, the environment refused to be stimulating. All her daily activities were severely compromised. When the reality of how much he truly gave to her on a daily basis, she developed a mind fog. Her dietary approach fell into disrepair. The comfort of the bed became alluring. Avoiding the reality of being alone for the first time in a very long time.
After she missed several church gatherings, an investigation was conducted to determine her condition. The discovery was on the light side of grim.
She didn't want to interact with the world. Barely leaving the bed for the absolute minimum of needs, her overall appearance was starting to show just a hint of the ribcage when the priestess barged in.
"Are you not well, my child?" softly spoke the nun, as her entrance was about as subtle as a raging rhino. "Your absence has been causing a bit of a stir. To my eyes, there would appear to be an illness at work. Tell me. Are you in mourning for your late husband or drenched so far into despair that life holds no interests?"
Teela just pulled the covers over her face and said nothing.
"Come now, child. Permit me to guide you back to the path that you must walk. This oasis that you appear to have drifted into is merely an illusion." The nun approached Teela and prepared to pull the covers away.
'Teela. You really should be listening to her. I know it hurts. I know what you are going through. You've got to pull yourself out of this depression and let others help you. I've faced the hardships of losing both husband and children. So, believe in me when I advise you that there is nothing great that can come from hiding away. I can't do it for you. You must do it for yourself. Go ahead. Reach out from this fabric prison and accept her help. It's healthy for you. For the both of us.' came the internal lecture from the immortal voice of Teela to her elderly half.
As the nun took a firm grip upon the covers and pulled them back, Teela gave no resistance in permitting her black memorial dress to, once again, see the light of day.
"Come now, my child. Rise up. Walk with me. Let's discuss the emotions that are making you ill." softly spoke the nun.
Teela glared back, silently.
'Go ahead. Take that first step. I'm still here to help you in any way I can.'
Teela's eyes slowly locked glances with the nun that was standing over her with a helping paw, outstretched.
"We'll get over this, together. Now, climb on out of there. Let me see that you can still walk."
'Go on. We've got a big day ahead of us. Swing those hips out.'
With a sigh, Teela put some effort into moving her muscles and cleanly swept herself out of bed with the aid of the nun.