In the novel "Everything Is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer, a poignant scene occurs where death certificates are scattered by the wind. This imagery suggests the inevitability of loss and the passage of time, as the documents are taken from their intended purpose and transformed into mere fragments carried away by nature.

The act of the pages being lost to the breeze symbolizes how memories and records of the past can fade away or linger in unexpected ways. Some of these certificates may float away now, while others might remain hidden among the trees for generations, illustrating the enduring impact of history and personal stories in the broader tapestry of life.