Taking stones to a grave (priest, tradition, funeral, attending)

[michel]

I was watching a programme on Television today, in which a Roman Catholic priest (who was attending at a burial) suggested that he didn't think that 'scattering ashes' was very dignified. Instead, he wanted to make a small hole in the ground.

When he couldn't do that he suggested that the ashes be laid in a neat pile on the ground, and that all people attending the funeral should add a stone "As do the Jews" - he said. Could someone explain the idea behind this, please ?

[Callous]

I’m not sure there is a precise meaning behind the laying of stones or pebbles. There does seem to some belief that it has to do with an ancient tradition of building the tombstone.
It dates back to Jacobs sons taking stones to Rachel’s grave.