Exploring Global Traditions of Funerary Practices
Text Auriel Dirks & Inés Mittal Gros
Around the world, many different beliefs and practices are observed in regard to the one thing we all have in common: mortality. Our final ways of saying our goodbyes, if we can even speak of goodbyes in the first place, range from sky burials to physical holes dug into the ground where the body will be laid to rest. The ways in which we speak to the dead, or the way death speaks to us, are infinite. Although impossible to cover in its wide array of diverse beliefs and practices, a few of them will be briefly presented here. Some of these places and societies were chosen due to our own backgrounds, and others were brought in through interests and previous courses. While the selection might at first seem random, it is relevant, in our opinion at least, to emphasize that the reasoning behind them was to be able to write about diverse ways in which humans have managed to be so different yet similar to one another.
1. The Toraja (Sulawesi, Indonesia)
Funerary rites in Indonesia are as diverse as the country’s vast stretches of sea and thousands of islands. The Toraja people of the island of Sulawesi practice funerary rites centred on the belief in ancestor spirits. When an individual passes away, their soul does not leave the world right away. Instead, the Toraja believe they linger until the funerary rites have been properly conducted. For this reason, the deceased is referred to as Mam-
ma (sleeping person) or Masaki (sick person). During the actual ceremony, the deceased are buried in carved-out tombs on cliffsides. Precious heirlooms such as knives and rare textiles
are brought to the person’s grave. Furthermore, wooden figures resembling humans called Tau Tau are brought to accompany both the dead and the living. Depending on the deceased’s social status, buffalos and ceremonial dances can be performed in their honour as well. Only when a Mamma or Masaki is finally put to rest do they become a Membali Puang (a person who has become one of the gods) or a Mate (a dead person).
2. The Netherlands
Despite the country’s size, the Netherlands observes different funerary rites depending on the people, location and time of the passing. In the past, most funerary rites were Christian in nature - in this case, referring to church burials and memorial services - however, as an ever-decreasing number of people practice Christianity, funerary rites of this type are in decline.
Instead of being buried, an increasing number of people opt for cremation instead. Furthermore, some funerary rites are regionbound. For instance, on the island of Vlieland the deceased’s body is laid on a carriage, whereafter the carriage will take the deceased on a final journey through the island at precisely 13:30 on the clock. Islanders can accompany the procession to bid their final farewells. Another regionally bound custom is the funerary rites aided by a Noaberschap (neighbours) in Twente. Upon the passing of an individual in the community, the Noaberschap will immediately come to the deceased family’s aid by offering them emotional support and carrying the coffin in the deceased’s final procession, for instance.
3. India
Hindu funerary rites in India do not involve any sort of holes. That is because after death Hindu’s believe that the physical body serves no use. It is instead burnt and the ashes are spread in the river Ganga in a place called Varanasi in order to escape the cycle of rebirth and go to heaven instead. During the rites, the body is first kept in the house for 24 hours before hindu religious rites are conducted by a Pandit. Then they are taken to a sort of open crematorium where the body is placed within blocks and cremated. The ashes are picked up the next day and transported by the closest family members to the ‘Ghats’ or ar as where the ashes can be spread in the river.
4. Spain
In Spain, where the majority of people are Catholics, the same rites are followed. From being at a ‘tanatorio’ or in English, tanatory where the deceased is left so family members can have
their last moments with the loved one. They are then placed in caskets, and buried underground. The body is hence returned to the ground and they can rest in peace. However, due to a lack of space, Spain has started adopting a stacked method of burials, thus creating tall structures reserved for families/persons where flowers can be left in their memory. Usually, some families like keeping remembrance items within the grave as well, these items can range from images and letters to sentimental jewelry amongst other things.
5. Amazon Forest; the Wari’
Funerary rites take a different turn when it comes to the Wari’. The Wari’ are a community of people found within the Amazon forest. They believe that burying their dead is disrespectful and even scary at times, thus adopting a different method of mourning and respecting their dead. When reading Beth A. Conklin’s book Consuming Grief (definitely a book I would recommend) she explains how the Wari’ dislike the thought of being kept in a cold and dark place where animals could eat away at their deceased. Hence, finding comfort in funerary cannibalism. This kind of cannibalism amongst the Wari’ is not uncommon. They instead considered it important to consume at least a part of the body. It is important to remember that they did not eat their dead because they enjoyed the taste, but out of a sense of respect and compassion not only to the deceased but also to the immediate relatives.
6. Egypt
In Egypt, the majority of the population follows and practises Islam. Therefore, funerary rites in Egypt are largely Islamic in nature. Once an individual passes away, their body must be buried as soon as possible, and it should be washed thoroughly and laid to rest in a Kafan (a pure white cloth). The body is then taken to the mosque, where the final prayers for the deceased, referred to as Janazah, are conducted. After this, the deceased’s loved ones take the body to its final resting place, where the body is laid to face Mecca. It is believed that the deceased’s soul will continue to visit every Friday, so that communication between the dead and the living continues. For instance, a common funerary practice found in Egypt is the writing of so-called death letters. The deceased's loved ones write letters, which are sometimes published in local newspapers, addressed to the dead. Apart from letters, dreams and grave visits are also common ways of talking to the dead.
7. Tibet
A sky burial is a common practice in Tibet and has been for thousands of years. Instead of burial or cremation, after a person dies, their body is taken to a special monastery, where a sky burial operator dismembers the deceased. They are later laid out at a special sky burial site to feed vultures, who are considered to be sacred. Every night the lamas, or spiritual masters, at the monastery read sutras (scriptures) for the dead. One of the reasons that Tibetans have sky burials is because they practice Buddhism. Feeding the body to the vultures is considered to be a final act of charity. In their minds, the spirit of the person moves on and the body is an empty vessel and the vessel needs to be destroyed for the soul to move on and not try to come back. This is called transmigration of the spirit. By exposing the body to the elements and animal scavengers, the body is returned to the earth as generously as possible.
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