Tag Archives: Cultural Perspectives

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

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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

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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

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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

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Re-Thinking How Our Culture Experiences the Cemetery

Using your memorial to add beauty to the world

In addition to our growing inclination towards contemporary practices like cremation and green burial, there is one simpler way for us to re-imagine the cultural staple that is the cemetery. What if we see the grounds as a gallery of … Continue reading

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Balinese Funeral Ceremony

Part one of Bali’s intricate end-of-life ceremonies

Bali, one of 33 provinces in Indonesia, is not only an exotic tourist destination but also home to the majority of Hindus in that country—92% to be precise.  Along with this factoid comes a wealth of cultural knowledge that details … Continue reading

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