Jewish Traditions
When a member of the Jewish faith dies, the family arranges a burial (after meeting with the rabbi) within 24 hours. In life, Jews do not have the threat of heaven or hell; their actions immediately have consequences in the eyes of God. As a result, after-life is a matter of interpretation for Jews, even though the traditional belief is that Jews go to sheol (not hell or heaven, but waiting ground). Some believe that the dead go to heaven, some believe that they are reincarnated, and others believe that death is a place to wait (sheol) to be resurrected by Christ's next coming. Cremation has always been discouraged because the Jewish believe that the body is the "temple of the soul," a sacred thing. Cremation today is especially discouraged because of its connection to the Holocaust. The deceased is dressed in plain white robes (to symbolize equality (see right)), put into a plain wooden coffin, and guarded (by a family member) until the burial (out of respect). Family members tear their clothing or wear black ribbons in honor of the deceased. Ritual includes the traditional funeral and burial. Left: Jewish grave with menorah markings.
Traditional Roman Catholic Traditions
The reward for good behavior in life is a place in heaven. Catholic funerals are meant for the deceased and the living, because they are a source of closure and comfort. Catholic burials are preceded by a vigil (prayer service) the night before. The next requirement, the mass, consists of more prayers for the deceased along with the Eucharist. The Eucharist is very important because it is believed to be the source from which life flows and returns; therefore, it is very important for it to be performed for the deceased and the mourners. After the mass, the attendees proceed to the burial. In honor of the deceased, visitors are encouraged to wear black. Similar to the Jewish tradition, cremation is discouraged. Catholics believe that the body is a temple that will be resurrected by God. Catholics strongly believe in an after-life; they hold the belief that their deeds in life will affect whether they land in heaven or hell. The required rites performed at the funeral ensure the deceased's voyage into heaven. Top and bottom-left: typical graveyards of the United States. Bottom right: the body during a Catholic mass.
Sikh Traditions
The Sikh view of death, in contrast to Christianity and Judaism, is largely focused on the earth. The Sikhs believe that it is a natural process in which the body is reincarnated (life and death are closely related), but they also believe that the soul returns to God; because of this, hope should be the overwhelming feeling, not grief. Cremation is the preferred method of disposal of the body, because to them, the body is only a shell, not an expression of the actual soul. Crying and expressions of grief are discouraged at the viewing because death is a natural process that everyone experiences; it is something that shouldn't cause fear. Sikhs read prayers at the viewing to console themselves, which is followed by the washing of the dead, a procession to the cremation ground, and then the actual cremation (where more prayers are offered). The ashes are thrown into the nearest river (see picture), which is concluded with more prayers.
Islamic Traditions
Islamic funerals are similar to Sikh funerals because the expression of grief is prohibited. Muslims accept death as a return to Allah; if they are good servants of God in life, they will spend eternity in Heaven. Cremation is discouraged; it is an Islamic practice to be respectful of a person in life and in death. The grave of the deceased points towards Mecca, the center of the Islamic world. The body should be wrapped in plain cloth to ensure privacy. It is interesting to note in the bottom picture that the clothing is completely opposite of the Catholic tradition; the body is wearing black, and the mourners are wearing white. The rituals of an Islamic funeral included prayer from the Q'uran, the burial, and a period of 3-day morning for relatives and loved ones. If the relative mourner is a widow of the deceased, then she is required to mourn for 4 months and 10 days. During the mourning period, the relative or friend must be especially devoted to prayer, receive condolences, and avoid distracting jewelry and clothing because they take away from the solemnity of the occasion (black not required). Above-left: friends and family pat down the grave for closure. Top right: funeral procession on its way to the burial.
Late Woodland Tribe (Effigy Mound Builders) Traditions
In Native American culture, death signifies a return to the earth, a continuation of the cycle of life. It is therefore very appropriate that members of the tribe were buried in effigy mounds-shapes that represent animals from the spirit world. In each animal, the heart of the mind is where the burial is located. The deceased is buried as a bundle of cleaned and bound bones. Often times, there are symbolic sacrifices along with the burial, including pipes, charcoal, and other stones. The people were not buried immediately after death; in fact, there appeared to be ceremonial times during the year when the deceased were returned to the earth. It is possible that the animal which the person is buried in represents the kinship of the deceased. Picture: bear effigy at Effigy Mounds National Monument.
Hmong Traditions
Hmong deaths are not just a time for grieving, but a time for family reunion. Hmong rituals for the deceased last up to a week long, full of feasts, rituals, and prayers. The Hmong people believe that, after death, they go on a journey to rejoin their ancestors. Because of this, most of the rituals prepare the body for the voyage, with material objects and prayer asking for their safety. The body is dressed in special ceremonial robes (see left) and given paper money, food (ex. above chicken), and a walking stick, among other necessities. Throughout the week, the people who prepare the deceased wear red ribbons to prevent their own souls from joining the deceased in its journey. After the body is sufficiently prepared, it is buried. Family members throw dirt on the coffin for closure. Above right: a chicken about to be sacrificed for the deceased's journey to the ancestors.
Contemporary American
Today, many American people choose to not follow traditional rites as strictly. Unlike the aforementioned traditions, today's funerals concentrate less on community aspect of the ceremony, and more on the sending of the body into the earth. Many people choose cremation as an alternative, partly for its convenience but also for its capability of individuality. The family can throw the deceased's ashes in a place that was particularly special to them. People find other ways of distinguishing their loved ones in death with special gravestone inscriptions. If you're a sports fan, you can have your favorite team mascot on your grave. Another recent trend in burial is "green" burial, in which the deceased is put into a biodegradable casket with biodegradable cloth. No embalming fluid is used in the body. People can also choose to be buried in a non-denominational way at funerals by withholding any mention of God from the service. Today, there is no definitive way to let go of one's deceased; people actively individualize death. Above: green burial.
