Tag Archives: Ancient funeral Traditions

Annang Funeral Tradition as Rite of Passage

The Annang people of Nigeria understand "good death" as transition to status of ancestor

The Annang people of Southeastern Nigeria consider death to be natural only when someone dies of old age, according to Dominic Umoh, Ph.D., a lecturer at the University of Agriculture in Makurd, Nigeria. If someone dies young from disease or … Continue reading

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Sealing a Gravesite with Stones: A Cross-Cultural Tradition

The ritual of leaving a small stone at a gravesite resonates across Jewish and Christian traditions

Leaving a small stone on a gravesite is a gesture recognizable from Hollywood film, which reflects a centuries-old practice found in both Jewish and pre-Christian European traditions. While the practice has historical and cultural origins, it has in recent years … Continue reading

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A Man Immortal? Roman Funeral Sculptures

In Ancient Roman funerals, the death of a family member called for a distinct craft

The role sculpture plays in memorializing loved ones who’ve passed seems almost inherent today. Personalization thrives in our contemporary selection of memorial sculptures, where families can select anything from angels to motorcycles for a family member. But where did the … Continue reading

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