1. Death and Dying Practices

2. Burial Customs Every society has some way of caring for the dead Three common practices amongst all cultures: –Some type of funeral rites, rituals, and ceremonies –A sacred place for the dead –Memorialization of the dead Neanderthal burial sites have been found with animal antlers on the body and flower fragments next to the corpse

3. Rites, Rituals and Ceremonies What purpose do they serve? 1.Helps confirm the reality and finality of death. 2.Provides a climate of mourning and the expression of grief. 3.Allows the sorrows of one to become the sorrows of all. 4.Is the only time when love is given and not expected in return. 5.Is a vehicle for the community to pay its respects. 6.Encourages the affirmation of religious faith. 7.Is a declaration that a life has been lived, as well as a sociological statement that a death has occurred.

4. Rites, Rituals and Ceremonies Ancient man –They thought death was the act of evil spirits –Early man devised rites and rituals to enact a “truce” with the gods –The first rites and rituals were devised to protect the living from the evil spirits Modern times –Fear of death still drives modern rites and rituals

5. Disposal of the Body What do you do with the body? –Every culture dispenses of the body in different ways Christians – Burial or cremation Islam – Burial only Judaism – Burial preferred Buddhism – Burial or cremation Hinduism – Cremation only unless it is a child (3 or less)