Who had died and why hadn't he been buried In chapter 2

Mark is then lead to his residence at the vicarage, only to find the body of a small child awaiting burial. His first duty is to deal with the constable to get all the required forms signed. The constable is young and not respectful of the villagers; it is clear that he will never fit in here. Mark next needs to conduct a burial service, trying his best to offer true consolation to a mother and relatives when he does not yet know them or their culture. There is a description of the very old burial grounds where burial boxes were placed in the trees and the impression death has on Mark. It is clear after the service that he already is beginning to have some understanding of the villagers and that they realize he is a far more complex and sensitive person than the constable.