cultures and death

Death is universal, but various cultures have their own unique traditions. The Jewish culture has explicit rules which are steeped in tradition, and have significant meaning. The rituals are based on events from the Hebrew Bible.

When a person passes the tradition states that the deceased should not be left alone. Friends or family will stay with the body, or s person called a shomer is assigned to watch over the body. They are expected to stay awake and attentive.

The custom of rending clothing is when family members tear their clothing to symbolize their loss and grief. There are rules which are followed, not everyone tears their clothing, and sometimes it is an appropriate.

Bodies are prepared for burial following the custom that men are wrapped in their prayer shawl, and women in a white burial shroud.

The body is taken to the synagogue, there the chevra kadisha starts the purification of the body by washing it from head to toe. This is considered a new transition for the deceased. Some synagogues conduct a taharah during this process. It consists of Torah readings, and other prayers.

When the purification process is complete, then the body is wrapped in a burial shroud. It is a simple,unadorned piece of cloth called the tachrichim. Men are also traditionally wrapped in their prayer shawl. There is a small tear place in it which signifies that it will no longer be used.

The funeral is held at a synagogue. Eulogies, bible readings, and psalm are read. The ceremony is simple usually without music.

In Israel, the deceased is usually buried simply in his own shrouds, but in the United States and many other countries, a simple wood coffin is used.

The simplicity of the coffin helps ensure t...

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...ies keep them in their homes.

Another unique custom in Indonesia is the Walking Dead. When a person dies, it is important that they return to the village they were born in. Villages were far apart, and it would be difficult to carry the body over the rough terrain. People would help the dead to walk back to the birthplace. Roads and more availability of vehicles has made it easier to transport the corpse.

The second possibility about the burial is just as creepy. Some families cannot afford the cost of the funeral, so they put the deceased into a temporary coffin. Once the money is raised, the corpse has to be raised and walk to their new resting place. Sometimes it may take years for the family to raise the money. Hence the Walking Dead of Indonesia.

These are just a few of the wide variety of funeral and death rites from around the world.