What Can We Learn from Global Death Traditions?

By: Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation
Monday, June 27, 2022

Our traditions regarding funerals and cremation services in Morrison, IL are not the same as those from around the world, but that doesn’t make these other traditions bad or wrong, just different. In fact, there’s a lot we can learn from these other traditions!  

As examples, here are some customs around death and loss that are different from ours, but no less meaningful or beautiful. Iranian people believe that dead bodies defile everything they touch, including the ground and fire. That’s why some sects raise bodies into the sky on towers for the vultures to pick clean. Believers clean bodies with bull urine and cut off the clothing with tools, and then place them on the Towers of Silence. In aboriginal Australia, the indigenous people believe the spirit of a recently deceased person will go back to the land before it can be reborn into a new human body. After somebody dies, the community holds a smoking ceremony at the deceased’s home in which the attendees use smoke to drive the spirit from the body so it can begin its next journey. Afterward, the body is placed on a platform, covered with leaves, and left to return to the earth in its own time. 

In India, most people believe in rebirth until eventual removal from rebirth into nirvana. To help the deceased escape rebirth and enter nirvana, the bereaved scatter the deceased’s ashes in a holy place, such as Varanasi. In Germany, cemeteries are almost exclusively operated by churches and the state, which means there aren’t that many available for burial at any given time. That’s why most cemetery plots are rented for twenty to thirty years. At the end of the rental term, the plot is used for another body. In the Philippines, the Tinguian people dress their dead in the finest possible clothes and then sit them up in chairs with lit cigarettes for weeks at a time.  

In Jewish culture, the dead are not left alone between the time of death and the burial. The Chevra Kadisha is a group of people, usually amassed from the local communities and synagogues, who wash and shroud the bodies and then sit with them until burial. Traditionally, women will sit with deceased women and men with men. In Kiribati, an island in the Pacific, the local tribes display the cleaned and polished skulls of their loved ones in their homes, but only after the bodies are left out in the house for up to 12 days, buried, and then dug up again for the skull removal.  

What do you think we can learn from these unique traditions? How can they inspire you as you preplan for your passing or deal with the loss of a loved one?  

These are just a few of the many unique death traditions and rituals people practice around the world. Do you want to learn more about our rituals and traditions at Morrison, IL cremation services? We are here to help! Call or visit us today for more information.  
 

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Modern Approaches to Mourning with Funeral Homes

In a world that is constantly evolving, the way we approach life's most delicate matters, such as mourning and paying respects to those we've lost, is also seeing significant transformations. At th...

Guide to Choosing Unique Cremation Jewelry For Your Loved Ones

In this digital age, where every moment is captured and cherished, the way we honor and remember our loved ones has also evolved. With cremation services Fulton, IL, becoming an increasingly popula...

Finding Solace in Grief Support Services

In the ever-evolving journey through life, we often find ourselves facing its counterpart, the inevitable and profound experience of loss. It's during these times that our paths cross with entities...

A Familial Guide on Understanding Cremation Services

At Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, we understand the emotional turmoil that comes with the loss of a loved one. Our goal is to simplify this challenging time by guiding you in making decisi...

Expert Insights into Selecting the Best Funeral Home

Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation understands that losing a loved one is a very personal journey that is unique to each individual. As one of the most reputable funeral homes Amboy, IL, we are...

The Role of Cremation in Modern Funeral Practices

Welcome to Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, where we dedicate our services to honor your loved one’s life. Our focus is primarily on cremation services Morrison, IL, and we understand the i...

A Step-by-Step Guide in Dealing with Funeral Homes

The journey of grief doesn't begin at the funeral and doesn't end when the service is over. It's a long, winding road that's filled with immense sadness and a lot of uncertainty. But that's why Sc...

Exploring a Path of Dignity with Cremation Services

At Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, navigating the path of mourning and remembrance is done with utmost empathy, respect, and dignity. Having been an integral part of the Fulton, IL, commun...

Compassionate Funeral Services for Comforting Goodbyes

When facing the loss of a loved one, Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation is here to provide the compassionate care needed during these difficult times. As one of the leading funeral homes Fulto...

Honoring Life with Personalized Cremation Ceremony

When a loved one passes, it’s essential to honor their life in a way that reflects their individuality. At Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, we understand that every farewell should be perso...