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10 Facts About Hospice Care You May Not Know" />
10 Facts About Hospice Care You May Not Know: NHPCO stresses that hospice is about living fully, not preparing for death. -
Man of Many Faces" />
Man of Many Faces: A niece says goodbye to her favorite gay uncle, in whom she confided about her own sexuality -
Last Rites: A Catholic Send-Off" />
Last Rites: A Catholic Send-Off: A look at the religion's final prayer procession for the dying
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Category Archives: Cultural Perspectives
The Anthroposophical Perspective: Acceptance of Death in Life
The anthroposophical philosophy’s relationship Christianity and de-stigmatizing the dying process
At the turn of the century, the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) planted the first seeds for the anthroposophical movement, which continues to thrive today. Steiner became literally and figuratively an architect of our physical and emotional well-being. His design … Continue reading
Filipino Funeral Customs
Paying homage to the dead in the Philippines
A mix of Christian values and indigenous beliefs, Filipino funeral customs represent a unique blend of ancient and contemporary traditions. In times both past and present, Filipino culture has valued a specific set of funeral customs to ensure peaceful transitions … Continue reading
Historic Haida Pit Burial
A simple, archaic burial for the commoners of this indigenous society
Despite some unpleasant connotations throughout history, pit burial was once commonplace among the indigenous people of the American northwest coast (modern-day British Columbia). The Haida people, rather than individual burial, would place the remains of people who had died into … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged Burial, Cultural Perspectives, Death, Death Rituals, Haida, Haida Burial Customs, Haida people, Pit Burial, Totem pole
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Wiccan Funeral Customs
From going green to reincarnation -- what to expect at a Wiccan funeral
While common stereotypes link Wiccan beliefs to magic potions and fairy dust, there are some surprising elements to be found in Wiccan culture – if you do a little research. One of those elements is the Wiccan funeral, which emphasizes … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged Cultural Perspectives, Earth, Elements, Environmental Burial, Environmentalism, Green Burial, Life and Death Cycle, Natural burial, Pagan, Pentagram, Priest, Priestess, Reincarnatin, Reincarnation, Religious Ceremonies, Soul, Spirit, Sprituality, Summerlands, Wicca, Wiccan Funeral, Witch
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Last Rites: A Catholic Send-Off
A look at the religion's final prayer procession for the dying
Catholicism has never been number-shy in its teachings. Confess a sin? Ten Hail Marys. Looking to convert? Get ready for a slew of Sunday or Bible school classes, then 1. Baptism, 2. Confirmation, and 3. First Communion. If your list … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged Afterlife, Anointing of the Sick, Apostolic Age, Bali, Catholic, Catholic Church, Catholicism, Death, Dying, end-of-life, Faith, Fatal Illness, God, Hail Mary, Jesus, Last Rites, Peace, Prayer, Priest, Priesthood (Catholic Church), Religion, Vatican
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Famadihana Death Ritual in Madagascar
Madagascar's Malagasy people connect and celebrate with their ancestors long after death.
The Malagasy people of Madagascar believe that the spirits of people who have died won’t join the world of their ancestors until after the body has completely decomposed. To assist the process, families perform a funerary tradition called Famadihana, “the … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged Cultural Perspectives, Death, Death Ritual, Famadihana, Madagascar, Malagasy people
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Bardo: a Sacred Belief in Tibetan Buddhism
That in-between state separating this life and the next
While it’s a commonly known fact that Buddhism adheres to the belief in reincarnation after death, there is much to explore in the grey area between lives. In the Tibetan language, the word “bardo” literally means “intermediate state.” This belief … Continue reading
Bizarre Death Ritual: 19th Century Buddhist Self-Mummification
This short-lived death ritual was believed to be a road to enlightenment.
In late 1800s Japan, several Buddhist monks called Sokushinbutsu attempted the rare ritual of self-mummification. Driven by the Buddhist quest for enlightenment and the belief that this requires non-attachment from the physical body, these monks prepared to take their own lives … Continue reading
Hawaiian Cave Burials
Creating a domain for the deceased lies in hollowed ground
Many know the cavernous mountains of Hawaii by their post-card fame. And yet, prior to their celebrity, they served a far more intimate purpose: the native tradition of cave burial. The process of a cave burial began immediately. Firstly, there … Continue reading
Death’s Dynamism in Aztec Civilization
Where the manner of death was more important than the manner of life
Just as nearly every civilization throughout time, religion played an extremely important role in Ancient Aztec civilization. With over 1,000 gods, 14 heavens, 9 hells, and the sheer ubiquity, intricacy and flamboyance (for lack of a better term) of countless … Continue reading
Mongolian Air Sacrifice
The multi-stepped process for sending off a loved one with respect
Looking back to my junior high history class (or trying to anyway), I only remember learning about Genghis Khan and the Mongolian empire because I found their culture the most fascinating. It occurs to me now that we never spent … Continue reading
Metaphors on Death
Cultural beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife dictate how people around the world experience and ritualize the end of life.
A common tactic for understanding the complexity of death and end-of-life is to liken it to other parts of life that are a little simpler to comprehend. Though this is done commonly across cultures, the metaphors used differ from culture … Continue reading
More Than a Hallmark Holiday
Rooted in Catholic and Ancient Roman tradition, the history of Valentine’s Day is fraught with love, death and trial
Every year, in the days and weeks leading up to February 14th, millions of people around the country drive themselves to distraction preparing special occasions for that special someone, all the while aware of the insurmountable expectations each year innate … Continue reading
Presidential Deaths and Funerals
Looking back on the elaborate, ever changing funerals of presidents who’ve passed
As we approach President’s Day (Washington’s birthday) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (this Tuesday), it seemed fitting to look back and reflect on the history of presidential funerals. You will find that many funeral customs have changed over the years as … Continue reading
Traces of Several Religions in the Kiribati Ritual of Skull Burial
On the tiny island nation of Kiribati, a death and burial ritual incorporates practices of Christianity and the local religions
In what seems a unique strategy for coping with its colonial history, death and burial practices on the tiny island nation of Kiribati, a string of atolls in the Indian ocean comprising one of the smallest countries in the world, … Continue reading
Ancient Egyptian Burial Customs: Tombs and Mummification
The burial of Egyptian kings and commoners
Many of us are vaguely aware of the elaborate funeral customs of the ancient Egyptians. We’ve seen enthralling images of massive pyramids, ancient tombs, exotic mummies, and shining shrines to former lives. These elaborate customs were born of the ancient … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged Ancient Egypt, Ancient Egyptian burial, Ancient funeral rituals, Egypt, Funeral, Kings, Mummifciation, Mummy
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Giving Permission to Die
Discovering the importance of letting go even before a loved one has passed
You might remember a couple months ago when we first talked about the chakras and the cleansing process that facilitates a more peaceful death. The basic idea behind the practice is to rid oneself of all negativity in a holistic, … Continue reading
How Ancient Nordic Viking Funeral Burials Reflect Common World Traditions
Contrary to pop culture depictions, Norse burial funerals were conservative affairs reflective of religious belief
While the words “Viking Funeral” may call to mind images of grandly burning pyres, warrior heroes laid to waste, set to sea to have their ship lit from afar by a burning arrow, much of this is the work of … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged burial funerals, Funeral Pyre, Norse funeral, open-air cremation, Viking funeral
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Funeral Rites in Ancient Iran
The ancient funeral rituals involved a unique tie to the New Year
Early Indo-Iranians, the group of people residing in present-day Iran, or ancient Mesopotamia, before the third century B.C.E., held beliefs and rituals surrounding death that involved a unique tie to the New Year. Indo-Iranian beliefs about death and the afterlife … Continue reading
Christmas Traditions Around the World
Taking a look at how different cultures embody the Christmas spirit
With less than a week until Christmas day, people across America are scrambling for the perfect gifts and stressing about cooking the perfect meal. Some might call it the over- commercialization of Christmas or an elaborate celebration of the season, … Continue reading