Every culture has
unique customs to help honor the dead and grieve those who have passed. While
many customs and traditions to honor the dead transcend geographic and cultural
boundaries, the following offer fascinating perspectives on how we grieve.
1. Burial beads – South Korea
Burying loved ones in South Korea has increasingly become an impossible
expense for many, in large part due to a lack of graveyard space. Cremation has
become a more common practice. But rather than leave them as ashes, many turn
to “death beads” in a practice that is done more and more. Several different
companies will compress the ashes into gem-like beads in different colors,
allowing families to create a touching piece to be displayed in the home.
2. Predator burials – East Africa
Some nomadic Maasai people in East Africa believe that dead bodies are
harmful to the earth. And since their deity, Enkai, encompasses all things on
the planet — earth, sky, and all living beings — they choose to leave their
dead outdoors and allow predators to take care of it. They do not believe in an
afterlife, and reserve more elaborate burials for chiefs and other significant
figures.
3. Turning of the bones – Madagascar
In a ritual known as turning of the bones, or famadihana, the Malagasy
people exhume the bodies of their dead every five or seven years. The bodies,
which have been wrapped in cloth, are sprayed with wine and perfume and danced
with to lively music. It is thought that this practice helps to quicken
decomposition, the key step to allowing the spirits of the dead to enter the
afterlife.
4. Fantasy coffins – Ghana
In Ghana, coffins have become trendy. Rather than opt for plain wood boxes
that don’t capture the spirit of the dead, “fantasy coffins” have become all
the rage. These coffins represent the dead’s work or something that was
beloved, personalizing the experience.
5. Sky burials – Tibet
Tibetans believe in reincarnation. Once a person has passed away, the body
is just an empty vessel with no spirit left inside. Therefore, the dead are
brought to body breakers who will cut off the person’s hair, break the body
into pieces and roll in roasted barley flour known as tsampa. The body is
brought to the top of a mountain where the barley helps to encourage the
vultures to go to work.
6. Jazz funeral – New Orleans,
U.S.A.
In a city known for its incredible jazz music, it’s no surprise that people
in New Orleans choose to incorporate music into funerals. After the service,
the deceased’s life is celebrated in a lively procession with dancing and
singing. Music in jazz funerals begin in a somber tone, but once the body is
buried, it takes on a jovial, upbeat tempo to commemorate the life of the
deceased.
7. Strippers – Taiwan
Yep, strippers. In Taiwan, it’s thought that spirits in the afterlife fare
better if the funeral is a fun occasion. Therefore, funerals have become
quite the party. Large crowds are encouraged. Some funeral planners have even
gone so far as to hire strippers for the event. In fact, groups of strippers
travel around Taiwan in buses, funeral hopping to entertain mourners and
encourage more to attend.
8. Posthumous marriage – France
Though it’s not exactly a funeral tradition, it’s a slightly bizarre custom
that only exists in a select few countries, with France being the more popular.
France began to allow people to marry individuals who were dead during World
War I, mainly for women who lost their loved ones in the war and wanted to pass
on their name to their children. Today, though it is less common, anyone can
petition the president of France for permission to marry a late fiancé.
Ceremonies are conducted by a confirmed member of the state with a picture
standing in for the deceased.
9. Viking burial – Scandinavia
Many people think a Viking burial involved warriors being laid out on a
dragon ship that was set on fire as it headed out to sea. In reality, this was
far too costly of a practice to be performed for every death. Most Vikings were
buried on land in large graves dug in the shape of ships and lined with rocks.
They were also buried along with personal belongings and food, including their
most prized possessions.
10. Fire burials – Bali
According to Hindu tradition, the dead in Bali are interred in a mass grave
with others from the same village. As soon as the community feels the grave is
full enough to warrant it, previously buried bodies are unearthed, cleaned, and
arranged on a parade float that is decorated extravagantly. The float heads
through the village to the town square, where it is set on fire and a feast
held to commemorate the deceased.
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