A Look at Funeral and Disposition Customs

1. A Look at Funeral and Disposition Customs • Sueann F. Schwille, MSW, FSL • Karl Schwille, FSL

2. “Show me the manner in which a nation cares for it’s dead, and I will show you with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of it’s people, their respect for the laws of the land and their loyalty to high ideals.” -Sir William Gladstone

3. Early History • All known civilizations throughout time have had the same three basic tenants regarding: • Some manner of ceremony or ritual at death • A sacred place for disposition • Memorialization of their dead.

4. Early History Anthropologists have discovered evidence that Neanderthal man instinctively used ritual and ceremony when caring for their dead.

5. Early History • The earliest burial customs were crude efforts to protect the living from the bad spirits which caused the death of the person. • The Dead were burned to destroy evil spirits. • Many aboriginal tribes, even today, leave their dead to rot because of the belief that death comes from evil.

6. Common Beliefs Regarding Death of Early Civilization • Death does not end all relationship between the living and the dead but merely signalized the transition from one set of relationships to another. • Belief and Practicality Coincide : • Religious doctrine regarding disposition met need for sanitation and timely disposal.

7. Ancient Egyptian Funeral Practices Considered to be the most influential of all ancient civilizations on modern day funerary practices.

8. Ancient Egyptian Funeral Practices The physical body of the deceased was preserved in an effort to prevent the three parts of the soul from being separated.

9. Ancient Egyptian Funeral Practices • Ka(individuality) remained inside the tomb with the body and was housed inside a figurine that was made in the likeness of the deceased; • Ba(soul) could take on any form and leave the tomb at will; • Akhuwas the part of a person’s spirit that could dwell among the stars and be one with the universe.

10. Ancient Greek Funeral Customs Early literary sources such as the Iliad stress the importance of a proper burial and view failing to provide burial rites as disgraceful to the humanity of the deceased (Iliad, 23.71).

11. Ancient Greek Funeral Customs • Female family members washed and anointed the body of the deceased with oil and then dressed and placed on a high bed in the house. • The deceased was taken by procession to the cemetery just before dawn. • Graves were often marked with elaborate marble statuary to memorialize the deceased.

12. Roman Funeral Customs Funerals were an important part Roman custom to preserve the heritage of the family.

13. Roman Funeral Customs • The body of the deceased was washed, dressed and laid out on couch with a coin in the mouth to pay Charon, the ferryman to row him across the river Acheron to the land of the dead. • The spirit was believed to haunt it’s home until the body was laid to rest. • If body was cremated, a small portion of the body must also be buried.

14. Roman Funeral Customs • Achievements of the deceased as well as long past ancestors were celebrated. • A eulogy and songs of mourning were also part of the ceremonies. • Actors used masks to re-enact important parts of the life of the deceased and ancestors of the family during a ceremony. • The body was carried behind the mourners to the location of cremation or burial.

15. Early Hebrew Funeral Customs The dead were considered unclean and those who came in contact with the dead were declared unclean.

16. "Whosoever is unclean by the dead shall be put outside the camp, that they defile not the camp in the midst of which the Lord dwells." -Numbers 5:2

17. Early Hebrew Funeral Customs • Man was believed to be composed of two elements: • Basar: Flesh • Nefesh: Breath • Believed that the soul remained connected to the body and continued to suffer if the body was mistreated.

18. Early Hebrew Funeral Customs • The soul of the deceased was thought to wander through a mysterious afterlife known as Sheol. • The Dead were anointed with oil, dressed in their finest garments and laid in state. • Burial was to take place on the evening of the death. • Cremation was not permitted and thought to be an indignity to the body of the deceased.

19. Funerals of Early Christians Burial of Christian remains have always been deemed as important as evidenced by the stressing of the “Resurrection of the Dead.”

20. Funerals of Early Christians • Little is known in regard to burial of the dead in early Christian centuries. • 7th Century Spanish Ordinals: “the Order of what the clerics of any city ought to do when their Bishop falls into a mortal sickness” • Ringing of church bells • Reciting of psalms • Cleaning and dressing of body.

21. Funeral Practices in the Middle Ages • By the late 5th century, the dead were brought to the church for the religious mass. • Burial garments were costumes or uniform of position. • Burial within city walls allowed: • The start of church grave yards • Important religious figures buried under churches

22. Death Becomes a Profession • For nearly 1500 years after Egyptian preservation practices were perfected, extensive use of preservative techniques were not used. • In the 15th Century there was a revival of interest in anatomy and surgery.

23. Embalming Leonardo Da Vinci developed a system of venous injection that was the precursor to modern embalming.

24. Embalming In early 17th Century through the 18th Century, a greater understanding of the circulatory system was helpful as the art of arterial embalming emerged.

25. The Rise of the English Undertaker • Religion demanded high ritual funeral rites. • Ceremony always an integral part of life of English aristocracy. • Europe had already experienced “the Plague:” • Citizens demanded sanitation.

26. American Colonial Funeral Practices • Death was recognized as a natural reality. • Early New England burials were models of simplicity and quiet dignity. • Silent walk to grave site. • Over time, churches began to hold services and mourning became a social behavior. • Despite growing burial expenses and governmental attempts to curb “wasting money” on elaborate burials, the colonists continued make a death a celebration of the life of the deceased.

27. Embalming Surgeons and Undertakers:The Civil War

28. Dr. Thomas Holmes of New York • Considered the "Father of Modern Embalming“ • By the start of the Civil War, he had developed a fluid free of previously used arsenic poisons. • It is said that Dr. Holmes embalmed some 4,000 bodies over the four year course of the War.

29. Quaker: Religious Society of Friends • Quaker (Religious Society of Friends) • Tend to have very simple funerals • Funeral called “Meeting for Worship in Thanksgiving for the Grace of God as shown in the life of _________________” • Primary emphasis of funeral (2 fold) • To honor the person • Experience God’s presence • There is no uniform agreement on life after death – emphasis is likely to be on person’s life • In the Quaker tradition – congregation meets in a plain building known as a meeting house • No ministers as “friends” (another name for Quakers) believe all are equal before God • There is often an explanation at the beginning of the service or in a printed program so to know what to expect • Quaker funeral services are similar to the Quaker services or “Meeting for Worship” • Elder may welcome those gathered and read a poem, scripture or other material • There may be music; instrumental or hymn singing depending on the traditions of that specific “meeting” • Typically no set ritual and no sermon though there may be a brief eulogy • Anyone who feels moved by the spirit to give a spoken message or prayer may do so in “open worship” • “Open Worship” – period of silence where family and friends are welcome to speak no matter age, gender, of faith tradition • Service may end with a closing prayer or song or an elder near the front of the meeting house will turn and shake hands with his or her neighbor which is a signal that the meeting for worship has concluded • Ushers do not dismiss and you are free to speak with the family or leave quietly • After the funeral those who gather are often invited for a light meal at the meeting house • If individual is buried a brief burial service follows the funeral with all invited • Funerals held typically within one week of death but no strict law dictates time • Many Quakers choose cremation due to simplicity so it is typical for service to be without body present • Monetary donations in lieu of flowers • If not organization is suggested a memorial gift to one’s “meeting” would be appropriate • Guests who are not Quaker are welcome • Professional or church attire required • Wearing black is not expected • No special clothing worn

30. Islamic Funeral Customs “Islam” means the “achievement of peace with Allah and man and complete resignation to Allah in thoughts, words, beliefs and deeds”

31. Islamic Funeral Customs • Muslims – followers of the Islamic religion • Koran – Book of religion of Islam • Koran teaches • There is one God – Allah • There is a day of judgment and a life after death • To pray 5 times a day • To fight for the sake of Allah • To perform duties of generosity • Actions follow you to the afterlife

32. Islamic Funeral Customs • Muslims view death as a transition from one state of being to another, not as an end. • If you follow the law of the Koran and live a good life you will be rewarded in the afterlife. • In death you will be separated from the ugliness of the world, unless you live a dishonest and bad life then you will be separated from all the beauty.

33. Islamic Funeral Customs Islamic customs require… There are no photos allowed The death is immediately announced to all family and friends The body is bathed and covered in white cotton Within 2 days following the death the body is carried to the graveyard by 4 men. A procession of friends and relatives follow No discussion takes place at the time of the burial but all pray for the soul of the departed • The body be turned to face Mecca • Guests of the same sex should greet each other with a handshake and a hug • Person sits next of the body and reads from the Koran • An Iman presides over the service • The deceased’s eyes and mouth are closed • There is rarely an open casket • Arms, legs and hands are stretched out in alignment with the body

34. Islamic Funeral Customs • After burial all the guests go to the house of the family of the deceased • A meal is prepared for the guests who stay all day • Family my stay the entire week • Family members socialized and weep • Mourning period is officially 40 days long • Family only wears black clothing • For 1 year wife of deceased wears black but anniversary of the death is not observed • Dress code • Men no head cover • Women cover arms and legs

35. Hindu Funeral Customs As a religion Hindu has no founder, no common creed or doctrine.

36. Hindu Funeral Customs • In Hindu tradition the body remains at the home until it is cremated which is usually within 24 hours after death. • During funeral service mourners are encouraged to dress casually and white attire is preferred. • Flowers may be offered. • Food is not part of the Hindu custom.

37. Hindu Funeral Customs • Prevalent among Asian Indians. • Teaches that God is within each being and object • The essence of each soul is divine • Purpose of life is to become aware of the divine essence • Believe that although the physical body dies, the individual soul has no beginning and no end • May pass to another reincarnation depending on one’s karma or how they have lived over past lifetimes • If the soul has realized the true nature of reality, it may become one with Brahman

38. Hindu Funeral Customs • There is always an open casket and guests are expected to view the deceased’s body • Hindu priest and elder family members conduct the service • Guests of other faiths welcome • 10 days after the death a ceremony is held at the home of the deceased in order to liberate the soul for its assent into heaven • Visitors are expected to bring fruit

39. Jewish Funeral Customs Judaism focuses on how life should be lived not on defining an afterlife. • Jewish people hold the philosophy that one should embrace life while accepting the inevitability of death.

40. Jewish Funeral Customs • Conservative Jewish cultures follow a strong set of customs and beliefs based on the Torah. • Reform Judaism modifies some traditional customs. • Burials are to take place as soon as possible • Simplicity is emphasized to avoid signs of status. • Implied that living a praiseworthy life will prepare for what comes after death. • There is no open casket or cremation.

41. Jewish Funeral Customs • Tahara – traditional Jewish practice to perform a ritual washing of the body and then place it in a plain burial shroud • Watchers or ChervaKadisha remain with the body around the clock until the funeral • Funeral is to be held on a synagogue or funeral home the day after death • There is no visitation with the presence of the body prior to the funeral • Male guests wear a jacket and tie with yarmulke • Women wear conservative dress with somber colors • Rabbi conducts the services begins with Kria Ribbon cutting, symbolizing the deceased’s breaking away from loved ones • Service includes a Eulogy • A minyan or group of at least 10 Jewish adults is required to recite prayers

42. Jewish Funeral Customs • At interment family members participate in placing dirt on the casket before it is buried to symbolize their acceptance of the finality of death. • Jewish funerals are often held entirely at the funeral home. • Flowers are NOT approved of for Jewish funerals. • Donation to a charity is encouraged. • Kosher food is welcome. • The initial mourning period is called Shiva and lasts seven days • Appropriate to visit the home of the bereaved.

43. Jewish Funeral Customs • Family mourning practice may include: • Covering mirrors • Burning memorial candles • Wearing cut Kria Ribbon • Men do not shave • Women do not wear makeup • Couple intimacy is frowned upon. • Break from daily routine symbolizes disruption in life from death and demonstrates grief through self sacrifice.

44. Jewish Funeral Customs • Twice a day the bereaved pray for their loved one. • At one year there is a service on the anniversary to unveil the gravestone at the gravesite. • Candles are lit on the yearly anniversary of the death known as yahrzeit.

45. Buddhist Funeral Customs The goal of the Buddhist is to escape the cycle of rebirth by achieving Nirvana: • Nirvana not seen as heaven but a state of bliss beyond the world of suffering achieved only through conscience effort and practice to purify the soul. • Purification comes from ones separation of self from unjust and material world.

46. Buddhist Funeral Customs • Funeral customs within the Buddhist religions often differ but share a basic philosophy of life and death • Every soul is reborn into the world of suffering (our world) until the soul has been cleansed. • Open casket encouraged. • Knowledge from past lives enhance the journey to enlightenment.

47. Buddhist Funeral Customs • The objective of a Buddhist expressing grief at a funeral service is to show hope for a safe and pleasant journey to the next life. • Wear a traditional white cloth as a head band or arm band. • Walk with sticks to symbolize that grief has left them the need for support. • Chant appropriate prayers (sutras). • Bring offerings of flowers and fruit. • Burn incense to sweeten the air.

48. Irish Wake Historic Irish Wake • Began with neighbor women washing the body of the deceased and preparing it for viewing in the home • Body was covered in white linen • Adorned with black or white ribbons • Flowers when the deceased was a child • Lighted candles were placed around the body • Clay pipes, tobacco and snuff were placed in each room and on table next to body • Every male caller was required to take at least one puff as the smoke was thought to keep evil spirits from finding the deceased • Clocks were stopped at the time of death • Mirrors were covered or turned • Body was never left alone until burial • Crying was not allowed until the body was prepared and then keening began • Keening- reciting of poetry lamenting over the loss of the loved one. It includes crying and wailing.

49. Irish Wake • Not the same as “viewing” or “visitation” which are more subdued gatherings. • Wakes are often held at smaller venues such as a home where casual atmosphere and comfort are available. • Some feel laughter and sharing stories with joy are inappropriate • last 2 – 3 nights. • Food, tobacco, snuff and liquor were plentiful. • Laughter, singing, crying, storytelling and game playing. No disrespect to deceased was meant. • Church frowned upon the Irish Wake because it was thought that the customs of merriment were influenced by the Irish Pagan Heritage • Often turned into heated debates or religion politics and economics

50. Irish Wake Modern Wake • Coming back into practice in certain circles • A celebration of the deceased • Friends and family gather together • Share stories about the person who has died • Humorous • Serious