It’s easy to forget that the UK and US are cosmopolitan, multiracial societies made up of people from many different races, cultures and religions. Freedom to worship the god of your choice is a fundamental concept in both countries.
In the UK, the population consists of peoples from many former colonial and commonwealth countries from across the world, and increasingly, through open- ing borders to the European Community.
The US is a little different, although immigrants travel to the UK and US in hope of a better life, many US cultural groups derive from people avoiding financial hardship or persecution in their homelands.
Most people would agree that the world’s perception of the US is of a country that is steeped in formal religion to a greater extent than the UK and Europe.
This is a refresher course on the funeral and burial customs of the world’s six major religions that represent the belief’s of most people in the UK and US.
Here, in no particular order of importance, we look at:
- Judaism
- Christian
- Islamic
- Hinduism
- Sikhism
- Buddhism
Jewish Funerals
Jewish tradition is to bury the body as soon as possible after death to show respect to the deceased.
Strict rituals govern the funeral and particularly the parts played by the closest family – parents, brothers, sisters, spouses and children. The rituals vary depending on the origin of the family’s religious community – for instance whether the community came from Europe or the Middle East.
Each community has a burial society, called chevra kadisha, which cleanses and prepares the body for the funeral. Most Jews are buried rather than cremated. Cremation is considered a desecration and connotations from the Holocaust in the Second World War still weigh heavy on many Jewish minds. At the burial, the family and mourners congregate at the grave side for an eulogy and prayers, generally given by the Rabbi.
Some mourners may make a symbolic rip in their clothes. This rip, or keriah is a sign of a broken heart.
The funeral is followed by shiva, a period of mourning lasting seven days. The family congregates at home and is looked after by friends. No invitations are needed for shiva – visitors offering condolences are welcome.
Remember – Jewish funeral tradition is to display grief during mourning. Rather than send or take flowers, consider making a donation to charity in memory of the deceased.
Christian Funerals
Christian is a term that covers a multitude of cultures and denominations spread across the world.
Even in a small nation like the UK, estimates put the number of different denominations at more than 200. Each church has traditions and funeral rites particular to its own brand of faith.
The number of worldwide sects is incalculable as each denomination often splits in to sects, sometimes of only a few worshipers.
The common thread of Christian belief is resurrection and everlasting life from faith in Jesus. Cremation and burial are both popular – with cremation starting to take the lead in the UK as burial space is running out in many city cemeteries.
The service is similar for both types of funeral – often a religious service that in- cludes an eulogy and prayer. After the cremation or burial, the family and mourn- ers attend a ‘wake’, which is a gathering for people to remember the deceased.
The tradition to wear dark clothes and black ties to funerals is giving way to people who prefer to wear bright clothes as a celebration of life and resurrection.
Remember – If you cannot attend a funeral, sending flow- ers or a note of condolence is appropriate. Some families prefer small charitable donations instead of flowers. The funeral notice will usually indicate whether flowers or a donation are preferred.
Islamic Funerals
Muslims are divided in to two major factions – Shi’ite and Sunni – whose traditions and beliefs have developed over hundreds of years. A Muslim believes the soul leaves the body at the moment of death, and out of respect, the body should be buried within 24 hours.
Muslims bury their dead. Cremation is forbidden. Generally the body is wrapped in a simple, white shroud and interred with the face turned to the right towards Mecca.
Funerals are simple and followed by three days of mourning, except for the widow, who may mourn for four months and 10 days. Some families put on a meal for mourners during the mourning period.
Remember – Offering condolences and assistance to the deceased’s family is encouraged. Sending flowers is acceptable.
Hindu Traditions
Hindus believe in reincarnation. A death represents a further step forward on the soul’s journey to Nirvana and the funeral is as much a celebration as a remembrance.
Funerals generally take place within 24 hours of death. After the funeral, friends may visit, and the custom is to bring gifts of fruit.
Hindus cremate the dead. Burning the body signifies the release of the spirit. The flames represent the presence of the god Brahma, the creator. After the cremation, the family may come together for a meal and prayers and begin a period of 13 days mourning, when friends will visit and offer condolence
Tip – White is the traditional Hindu color of mourning. Ask what to wear before you attend a Hindu funeral if you are not sure of the traditions.
Sikh funerals
The Sikh religion dates from the 15th century and is rooted in Hindu beliefs but has its own teachings concerning death and funeral rites.
A key difference is Sikhs do not follow the Hindu belief of reincarnation but do believe in an afterlife.
Sikhs generally cremate their dead and scatter the ashes on running water or the sea. This is a core part of the Sikh burial tradition.
Buddhist Funerals
Buddhism comes in as many denominations as Christianity. Worldwide, almost 600 variations of Buddhism are practised.
Buddhists do not see a funeral as a religious event, as the body is considered as a shell. More importance is placed on the individual’s state of mind at death.
Many Buddhist sects follow the Tibetan belief that the individual is reincarnated 49 days after death.
Bodies are cremated. By tradition, Buddha himself was cremated.
Strippers dance for the dead
Strippers are making a killing by charging up to US$200 to dance for a few minutes in front of coffins at funerals in China. The strippers are paid to ply their trade as families bid to increase the family’s honour by having more mourners at their funeral than those of neighbors.
