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Raquel Echaluse

B.S.N. III

AFTER-DEATH Cultural
PRACTICES I N
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
RUSSIA
Introduction
In Russia, rituals recognizing people who have died are a blend of folk
beliefs passed on by Eastern Slavs and modern-day rituals. Russians
celebrate the passage of the dead with superstitious rituals, as well as
mourning and grieving their loss.
Clothing
Wearing weeds, or drab clothing in black, is a ritual established to
prevent the dead from returning. Covering the head in a black kerchief and
wearing black continues for 40 days after the death. Women who have lost
older children unexpectedly, wear the dark colors for a year. Daughters
mourning the death of a parent wear the weeds for one to six weeks. Men do
not participate in wearing the weeds.
Food for the Dead
A glass of water covered with bread is placed in the windowsill or near
the body immediately after death. For six weeks, at meal time a glass of
vodka covered with bread is placed at the dinner table where the dead
normally ate. This ritual pays tribute for the dead.

Superstitious Rituals
Rituals are incorporated in the mourning process, and include covering
mirrors, stopping watches and taking the TV from the room where the body
lies in wait. Superstitious that the dead will return to their home and take

someone with them, when the body is carried away from the home for burial,
it is carried with its legs extended forward and done so that no part of the
body touches the house on its way out. Then when the body is removed,
people sit in the chairs or on tables that held the coffin before turning them
over for a length of time.

Saudi Arabia
There are two types of Muslims Shiite and Sunni, so beliefs and
customs may be slightly different for each. Muslims believe that the soul
continues to exist after death. During life a person can shape their soul for
better or worse depending on how they live their life. Muslims believe there
will be a day of judgment by Allah (God). Until then, the deceased remain in
their graves but on judgment day they will either go to Heaven or Hell.
Muslims accept death as Gods will.
PREPARING
Muslims should be prepared for death at any time, which is partly why
daily prayers are so important. A dying person may wish to die facing Mecca,
the Muslim holy city. Family members and elders recite the Muslim scripture
called the Koran and pray for the person. If there is no family, any Muslim
can do this. Grief counselling is often not well accepted and may be
considered an intrusion of privacy.
AT THE TIME
The eyes of the deceased will be closed and the body is laid out with
their arms across their chest and head facing Mecca. The body will be
washed by family or friends. It will be wrapped in a white shroud and prayers
will be said. Contact between the body and non-Muslims is discouraged. If a
non-Muslim needs to touch the body, gloves should be worn. Male staff
should handle male patients, female with female patients.
FUNERAL
The body will be buried within 24 hours as Muslims believe the soul
leaves the body at the moment of death. The funeral will take place either at
the graveside and involve prayer and readings from the Koran.
BURIAL

No women are allowed to go into the graveyard. Before burial a prayer

will be recited. Mourners are forbidden from excessive demonstrations of
grief. The body will not be cremated as this is not permitted in Islam. The
deceased will be buried with their face turned to the right facing Mecca. A
coffin is usually not used but a chamber dug into the grave and sealed with
wooden boards so no earth touches the body. The grave will usually be
simple without any fancy decoration.
AFTER Three days of mourning follows where visitors are received and a
special meal to remember the departed may be held. Mourners avoid
decorative jewellery and clothing. Male family members go to visit the grave
daily or weekly for 40 days. There will also be prayer gatherings at the home
for 40 days. After one year there will be a large prayer gathering of family
and friends. After that, male family and friends visit the grave and everyone
remembers the deceased in prayers.

Scotland
19th Century
Below are some of the Scottish burial customs with origins in old age
superstitions that existed in many cultures of the world. These superstitions were
more predominant the further north one went into the Highlands. Superstitions
surrounded making sure the soul departed and could not find its way back home.

Departure of the Soul

At the moment of death the windows were thrown open for the purpose of
easing the departure of the soul. The window remained open only for an instant for
fear the soul might return.
Mirrors in the house were either covered or had their faces turned to the wall
and all clocks in the house were stopped. This is said to be done to prevent
puzzling or misleading the ghost in its efforts to leave the house.

Ringing of the Death Bell

Death was a community event. The bell-ringer would stand at the town
square, ring his bell, then announce the death of the deceased. This announcement
served as an invitation for the entire community to attend a feast and funeral at the
home of the deceased. In some cases the door of the home was painted black and
decorated with white tear shapes.

Cleansing and Kistan

The women would prepare the deceased for burial - washing the body - which
symbolized the purification of the soul. The body was then dressed in 'dead clothes'
more commonly known as winding sheets.
Once completing the washing of the body the women would 'kistan' the body
- that is lay the body in the coffin.

Wake Vigil
For several days the body was "Waked" - Members of the family, numbering 2
to 10 people, usually the young and unmarried, would watch over the body aroundthe-clock., to keep the spirit from falling to the Devil. Curtains or blinds were drawn
until after the funeral.
Family and friends of the deceased would come and pay their last respects.
Readings were made from the Bible, along with the singing of hymns, and
conversing in low hushed tones. Neighbours would help by bringing extra chairs for
the watchers or extra peat to help heat the house throughout the "Dead Days."

Feasting
On the day of the funeral, a seven course feast of food and drink
commenced. The deceased family was responsible for providing a feast. If they
could not afford the feast, an auction was held afterward, selling off the deceased
assets in order to pay for the feast and funeral. The men and women would
separate, the men go to the barn and feast, while the women would feast in the
house. After feasting a ceremony would be held to commemorate the deceased
individual. Each person would have the opportunity to toast the deceased and his
or her family and friends.

Paying last Respects

Adults and children alike filed past the coffin, touching the deceased's brow
or breast, lest they be haunted by the corpse's spirit later. After all had paid their
respects, the coffin was closed and eight women relatives would take the "First
Lift." When the coffin was lifted up, the chairs on which it rested were carefully
turned upside down for fear the ghost might be sitting on them. The coffin was
carried through the house to the men waiting outside. The casket leaves the house,
'feet first' so that the soul cannot find its way back home.

Funeral procession
The funeral procession commenced at 3:00 p.m. Processions were
traditionally on foot, a custom that persisted into the 20th century. The coffin was
carried by eight men at a time, with all of the men of the community having the
chance to help carry it. The procession was usually solemn but it could also be
wild. Due to excessive drinking at the feast by the men, unexpected events

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occurred. Sometimes the procession would lose the coffin or even get in fights with
other funeral processions which were headed toward the same churchyard.
Rest stops were at places where 'cairns' were built for resting the coffin. At
each of these stops, for resting, switching pall bearers, or sharing whisky, the men
would throw a stone at the side of the road as a token. Even today one sees these
heaps of stones by the roadside.

Burial
Only men attended and completed the burial at the cemetery. Close relatives
lowered the coffin in to the ground.

Dredgy
Women followed the casket only to the entrance of the cemetery church gate
or would stay behind at the house to look after the children and prepare the food for
the after-funeral feast called a "Dredgy."

20th Century Funeral Customs

Over the years funeral homes took over the process of preparing the body for
burial. Occasionally a funeral would be held at home. Instead of a bell-ringer
announcing the death of the deceased at town square, the eldest son of the
deceased would send out invitations to family, relatives, and close friends to attend
a funeral ceremony either at the house or local church.
Respects were paid to the deceased at a ceremony held at the church. At the
end of the ceremony as the coffin is carried from the church the church bells ring,
known as the tolling of the bells.' The casket was transported to the cemetery on a
horse-drawn funeral carriage. The horses would have black decorative plumes on
their heads. Women attended the actual burial at the gravesite, and adhered to the
custom of wearing black.
After the funeral mourners were invited back to the house for a buffet meal.
The men and women congregated in separate rooms of the home if there was
room. Whisky and drinks were served.

Canada and the United States

In the US and Canada, many Viewing Services will take place in a funeral home,
although some viewings can also be conducted in a church. In some areas of the US, the
viewing may occur in the home of the deceased or that of a relative. The viewing is
often held the evening before the day of the funeral, however, it can also occur
immediately before the funeral service on the same day. This is not only more cost
effective, it is less stressful for family members and it allows many people who cannot
attend both to be present for both in one sitting.
After learning of the death, guests usually pay their respects at the home of the
family members and at the funeral home during the wake. There is usually a guest book
which is signed by everyone who attends so that family members may send thank you

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cards at a later date. Viewers attending the service have a choice of whether or not to
view the body in the casket. Also, family members can decide to have the casket remain
closed, and instead display photographs, prized possessions or any other items
belonging to the deceased.
Friends of the deceased and other family members frequently send flowers and
cards to the funeral home for the viewing service. Friends and loved ones are also
welcome to stand and speak about the deceased as a way of honouring them.
Thereafter, a prayer and sermon is usually given by the funeral service director or
another invited guest of the clergy. Near the end of the wake service, guests are invited
to view the body and say a final farewell. Guests are often followed by family members,
children and the spouse. Following the wake will be funeral service. The funeral service
can immediately follow the wake, or be scheduled to occur the next day, or at a later
date in rare instances.
Funeral Service
The funeral service is usually held between 3 to 5 days following the death. The
service is usually officiated by clergy and can take place in either a church or funeral
home. If the service is to be held at church, the deceased is transported from the
funeral home to the church in a hearse, which is part of the funeral procession. During
the service, prayers, readings from the Bible or other sacred texts, hymns and songs,
and words of comfort and a eulogy are given. The customs and traditions will dictate the
type of music, if any, is played during the service. Near the end of the funeral service,
like with the wake, guests, family and spouses are invited to view the deceased. Once
the funeral service has ended, the burial will follow.
Burial Service
A burial service is considered the final part of many US and Canadian traditions.
It is the final moment to say a final farewell before laying the body of the deceased to
rest. It typically takes place at the grave site, tomb, mausoleum or crematorium if the
body will undergo cremation.
In many instances, the burial service will immediately follow the funeral service.
The funeral procession will travel from the site of the memorial service to the burial site.
If the deceased served in the Armed forces, military rites will often be accorded at the
burial site.
According to most religions, the casket remains closed during the burial
ceremony. A final prayer may be said and the deceased is placed into the burial area or
prepared for cremation. Morticians will typically ensure that all jewellery worn by the
deceased are in the casket before it is buried or entombed. If the body is to be
cremated, these items may remain or be removed prior to the process. Any pacemakers
must be removed prior to cremation as they could explode and cause damage to the
crematorium.
In many traditions, a meal or other gathering follows the burial service. This
gathering may be held at a church or in the home of the deceased or other family
member.

Malaysia
Introduction
If a wedding is a happy occasion a funeral is a sad one, but Muslims
should not show their grief in public. When a death occurs the village
headman should be told and neighbours too. This may be done personally or
by a special solemn bedok from the surau.
The funeral should take place as soon as possible although a short time may
be place as soon as possible although a short time may be waited to allow a
close relative to arrive from some distance. The body, called in
Malay, mayat is prepared for burial in a special way.
Preparation
It is first carefully washed, held in the lap of the chief mourner. After this,
camphorated water is rubbed over it before it is wrapped in a shroud. The
face is not covered so that the family may kiss the forehead of the dead
person before the body is laid in the coffin. This is usually made on the same
day as the funeral by relatives and friends. It is not a Malay custom to buy
one already made.
A short prayer is said when the body is put inside the coffin and it is then
lifted up and laid across the threshold, partly in a partly outside the house.
Another prayer is said and the coffin is then moved a little. This is done three
times, a short prayer being said each time. On the third time, the coffin is
lifted up and carried down the steps of the house to be placed on a
decorated platform, which is usually carried on the shoulders of some of the
mourners, and taken to the cemetery.
Special Considerations
Should the funeral take place on a Friday the coffin is laid down in the
mosque before burial while some extra prayers are said. The body is buried
lying directly on its right side on the ground while the coffin is placed over it
acting as a cover. When the grave is filled in, a prayer called talkin is said
and the dead person is referred to as the child of his or her mother and not
father.
Burial
Three days after the funeral a small feast is held at the house for relatives
and close friends, another on the seventh day, twentieth day, fortieth day
and finally on the hundredth day. After this, the death will be commemorated
on the anniversary.

Ancient and Modern Egypt

Ancient Egypt Rituals
Ancient Egyptian society believed in rebirth and this is what reflects in
the burial rites that they practiced. For them, death was not the end of life
but only an interval. They believed that eternal life could be ensured by
leading a pious life and by preserving the bodies of those that passed away
by mummifying them. For the Egyptians, every human body consisted of the
'ka', the 'ba', and the 'akh' (name, body and shadow) (Spencer, 1988). The
name and shadow were also considered to be living things that had to be
sustained and shielded from harm along with the body so as to enjoy eternal
life.

Bodies that are buried in desert pits are naturally preserved by aridity.
Therefore, the poor Egyptians who could not afford a ceremonial burial were
usually buried in deserts. Rich people would bury their dead in stone tombs
making use of non-natural mummification methods. This involved doing
away with the internal organs, followed by covering the body in linen. The
body was finally buried in a stone tomb in a wooden coffin.

By the New Kingdom, the ancient Egyptians had mastered the art of
mummifying dead bodies. The best method took as many as 70 days and
involved removal of the internal organs including the brain which was
removed through the nose. The body was then dried out after the application
of a mixture of salts called natron. The body was then covered in linen with

protecting amulets placed in between layers and placed in an ornamented

anthropoid sarcophagus.

The original preservation practices declined during the Ptolemaic and

Roman eras as greater importance was now given to the outward
appearance of the mummy, which was bejewelled. Rich people were buried
with a lot of luxury items. Nonetheless, all burials, not considering the social
status, included goods for the departed soul. After burial, the family and
friends of the dead were expected to occasionally bring foodstuff to the tomb
and offer prayers for the departed soul.

Modern Egyptian Rituals

The culture of ancient Egypt and the mummification of their dead
bodies have been a source of great inscrutability and attraction to the people
of United States. The Egyptian belief that mummies and their spirits are
capable of flying out of the burial place and come back to it is also a bit
terrifying to a number of Americans.
Although the burial and funeral practices of the Egyptians and
Americans were extremely different in the ancient times, Egyptian culture
has drastically changed with passing time. They have given up the
mummification of the dead bodies and burial of Gold and other worldly
things with the dead.
The most prevailing religion in Modern Egypt is Islam so their current
burial and funeral practices are completely in accordance with the teachings
of their religion (Andrews, 1994). When a Muslim Egyptian is close to death,
the family members are called upon to console, and remind him/her of God's
compassion and amnesty. Verses from the Qur'an may also be recited by
some encouraging the dying soul to recite words of commemoration and
prayer.
When the person is dead, the family members are encouraged to stay
peaceful, pray for the deceased, and start arrangements for funeral. The
eyes of the departed should be closed, and the dead body is temporarily

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covered with a clean sheet. Egyptian Muslims try hard to bury the dead body
as early as possible.
The family members, relatives or other members of the society, in
preparation for funeral, will bathe and shroud the dead body. The body is
then carried to the place of the funeral prayers. These last prayers are
usually held in the open air. All the people gather there, and the prayer
leader (imam) stands at the front of the dead body.
After the final prayers, the dead body is transported to the graveyard
for burial. Although funeral prayers are attended by all members of the
community, only the male members go with the dead body to the graveyard
(Faure, 1991). The dead body is peacefully laid in the grave facing the holy
city of Mecca. Putting flowers or other momentous is strictly discouraged by
the Islamic teachings.

England (British)
Plants and Death
Plants have been associated with the burial of the dead since at least the
16th Century. In the medieval period placing flowers on graves may have been
problematic as the vicar or curate was often allowed to graze his animals in the
churchyard. In the South of England disturbances resulting from this were
sometimes guarded against through constructing wicker or willow fences around the
grave. However people started objecting to anything that might damage or disturb
the grave, especially in the wake of new ideas about reverence to the dead in order
to protect expensive monuments such as gravestones which were becoming
increasingly fashionable.
Strewing flowers on graves has been noted in sources as early as the 1770s.
However in many areas of England this practice was considered heathen and was
banned in some churchyards right up until late in the 19th Century. An exception to
this can be found in Wales where flowers were often planted on top of graves to
symbolise the time of life in which a person died. Daffodils, primroses and violets

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would be planted over infants, roses for those who died in mid-life, and rosemary for
those who died in old age.
In Early Modern Britain references to flowers being incorporated into burial
shrouds are more common, often so as to compensate for the smell of a
decomposing corpse. Instead of scattering flowers, in England it was more common
to use evergreen shrubs such as rosemary and box, with their qualities of not wilting
symbolising remembrance. This can be seen in the account of a French visitor to
England in 1719 who noted that sprigs of these plants were carried behind funeral
processions and thrown on top of the coffin into the grave. However towards the
end of the 19th Century flowers started to become popular again, leading
eventually to the relatively recent practice of wreaths adorning the graves of loved
ones.
Direction of Burial
Others practices are linked with ancient beliefs. The burial of bodies in an
East- West direction is often linked to Christianity, while in Judaism the dead are
buried to face the Last Trump, supposedly coming from the East. However this
practice was carried out well before the introduction of these religions to the British
Isles. It has been hypothesised that this was done so that the body faced the rising
sun, an important aspect of pagan sun cults that are postulated to have existed.
Fear of Premature Burial
During the 18th and 19th centuries there developed a morbid fear of being
buried alive, which lead to the invention of various devices with which would
hopefully alert people to the fact. These included the safety coffin, where a bell was
placed on top of the grave. One end of a rope was fixed to the bell and the other
end placed in the hand of the deceased. If the poor unfortunate soul found
themselves not to be dead after all they could ring the alarm. Other safety coffins
involved elaborate contraptions of tubes and mirrors which allowed gravediggers to
look into coffins for signs of life, or putrefaction.
Modern wakes are often held after a burial or cremation but traditionally
friends and family would keep a vigil over the dead in the days leading up to the
funeral. Contrary to popular belief the term wake does not refer to loved ones
sitting with the recently deceased in case they were not in fact dead and decided to
wake up. Its more do to with staying awake and keeping watch over the body as a
sign of devotion until it is time for the funeral.
Closing Eyes
Some death rituals are practicalities. The closing of the eyes of the recently
deceased in Britain is cited as being due simply to guard against rigor mortis setting
in while they are still open, the eyelids being one of the first parts to be affected.
However this was often combined with a superstition that being looked at by a
corpse could threaten you and your kin. To aid this, pennies were sometimes placed
on eyelids to keep them shut.

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Pennies
Pennies have long been associated with death in addition to their use as
weights to seal the eyes shut. In ancient Greece and Rome, a coin was placed inside
the mouth in the belief that the deads soul would need it to pay the ferryman
Charon to take them across the river Styx into the afterlife. However this practice is
also associated with the Wales the North of England, with one 17th Century man
recalling that it was to give to St Peter.
Mirrors
The belief that all the mirrors in a dead mans house should be covered at
death stems from the 16th Century idea that ones reflection was in fact an
embodiment of the soul. It was thought that at death the soul escaped the body and
so was vulnerable to be trapped in the mirror glass and taken away by the devil.
The Victorians believed that if you saw yourself in a mirror in a room where a person
had recently passed away you too would die shortly after.