Tag Archives: Funeral

Why Do We Wear Black Funeral Attire Versus White?

A look at the religious and cultural meanings behind the colors of funeral attire

For many Americans, black seems to be the most common color to wear as funeral attire. Why is that? And why do some religious and cultural groups tend to wear white to funerals? Much of the color choice within religious … Continue reading

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”Rue’s Farewell” in “The Hunger Games”

A sweet funeral song floats as Rue rests among the woodland flowers

For those of you who have not seen the film The Hunger Games, it’s a nonstop action cliffhanger mixed with the unexpected innocent sweetness of children. I will not spoil the storyline, but death is around every corner and we … Continue reading

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“At the Funeral” by Mark Twain

Mark Twain offers us some lighthearted guidance on how to act at a funeral in his 1881 essay “At The Funeral”

For some, death has a unique way of not only modifying your perspective of a person but also altering your understanding of your own relationship with him or her. You may find that suddenly, after passing, an acquaintance has become … Continue reading

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Bringing the Spirit Home in Xhosa Burial Rituals

How the funeral rites of the Xhosa people of South Africa can transform a spirit into an ancestral guide

For most people, the culture, traditions, and even the existence of the Xhosa people would have remained unknown were it not for the death of anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela. Although the world will mourn his loss for years to come, with … Continue reading

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Ancient Greece’s Burial Traditions

Exploring the Ancient Greek's funeral traditions and ideas of death

Ancient Greeks are known for many things: their poems, their plays, their mythology, their philosophers and the Olympics. Some things that aren’t as well known include their burial practices. Ancient Greeks believed in gods and the afterlife, funerals were an important … Continue reading

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Planning for End of Life: Final Care After Death

Planning for death is overwhelming. We asked home funeral professional Sally Shannon for insight into your after-death options.

3 Tips for Understanding Your After-Death Options: One of the most important things to consider during your end of life planning is the final care you will receive after death. Home funeral expert Sally Shannon gave us a few tips … Continue reading

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