Cultural Observances of Death

Mourning ► Grief over the death of someone ► A cultural complex of behaviors in which the bereaved participate or are expected to participate

Continental Europe ► Custom of wearing black clothing for mourning dates back to the Roman Empire ► Women in mourning and widows wore distinctive black caps and veils ► In rural areas of Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece, widows will wear black the rest of their lives and the immediate family will wear black for an extended period of time

Western Christianity ► Violet, black, or white vestments are worn at masses for the dead ► Christian churches go into mourning during the period of Lent to commemorate the sacrifice and death of Jesus ► Customs vary among denominations and may cover or remove statuary, icons, and paintings.

Eastern Christianity ► Orthodox Christians hold the funeral the day after death or on the third day, and always during the daytime ► In traditional Orthodox communities, the body would be washed and prepared for burial by family and friends ► A house in mourning would be recognized by the coffin lid with a cross on it and often has flowers set on the front porch ► Special prayers held on the 3 rd, 9 th, and 40 th days after death; the 3 rd, 6 th, and 9 th months; and annually in a memorial service for up to three generations ► Sometimes men in mourning will not shave for 40 days ► Not uncommon for widows to remain in mourning dress for the rest of their lives

Catholicism ► See death as passage from this life to a new life ► Catholic funeral service is called the Mass of the Resurrection ► Eulogies may be delivered at a wake or non-religious ceremony ► A final graveside farewell usually takes place ► Other traditions depending on the region

Islam ► Believe that there is another world after death for which the believer should prepare during their lives on earth ► The corpse is bathed, wrapped in a plain cloth (kafan). Deceased is buried in the ground after the funeral service. Only burial in the ground is allowed according to Islamic Law (Shari’ ah) ► Mourners gather and offer prayers of forgiveness of the deceased ► Loved ones and relatives are to observe a 3-day mourning period. ► Widows observe an extended period, 4 months and 10 days. She is not to remarry, move from her home, or wear decorative clothing or jewelry

Judaism ► Death in this life will eventually lead to resurrection in a new world to come ► Dead is buried as soon as possible ► Body is washed to purify it and dressed in a plain linen cloth ► Casket remains closed after the body is dressed and the body is watched over from time of death until burial ► The kaddish (prayer in honor of dead) is said ► Following the burial, Shiva takes place for seven days of mourning ► Some people may make a small tear in their clothing to indicate a lack of interest in personal vanity ► Some may cover mirrors, sit on the floor or low stools, and not wear leather ► Full mourning lasts one year and then is observed yearly

Hinduism ► Death is not seen as the final ‘end”, but is seen as a turning point in the endless journey of the soul through innumerable bodies of animals and people ► Prohibits excessive mourning as this can hinder the passage of the departed soul ► Hinduism associates death with ritual impurity for the immediate family and they must not perform religious ceremonies (except funeral), not visit temples or other sacred places, not read or recite from sacred scriptures, not attend social functions. ► Customary that guests do not eat or drink in the house of the deceased ► Family of deceased is required to bath 2 times a day and eat a single simple vegetarian meal

► Mourning begins immediately after the cremation of the body and ends on the “morning of the 13 th day” ► Traditionally the body is cremated within 24 hours after death ► A lamp is lit near the deceased and kept burning for 3 days ► On the day the death has occurred, the family doesn’t cook ► White clothing is the color of mourning (purity) ► Male members of the family don’t get a hair cut or shave and the female members do not wash their hair until the 10 th day On 10 th day then all of this is shaved and washed ► On the morning of the 13 th day a ceremony is performed ► The main ceremony involves a fire sacrifice to ensure the deceased has a peaceful afterlife (offerings to gods and ancestors) ► After the ceremony, the family cleans and washes all idols in the shrine and flowers, fruits, water, and purified food are offered to the gods ► The family now breaks the period of mourning and returns back to daily life