Hispanic Traditions Funerals and Death

Guest Author - Rebecca M. Cuevas De Caissie

“Hispanic Culture”

• a catchall phrase for a collective group of people living in a foreign, though some

are born within these boarders, land that are diverse and unique.

• The term Hispanic does not define the individual races and nationalities that co-

exist and share this title.

To begin understanding Hispanic Traditions of funerals, one first must understand

the life and mind set of Hispanics in general.

• Death is not something the majority of Hispanics fear. In fact, in many of the

nationalities it is even embraced and celebrated.

• Hispanics for the most part are Catholic and the roots of Catholicism run so

deep that many Hispanics who are not “Catholic” anymore still carry some of

the traditions and mannerisms that are “Catholic” indeed.

• In the Hispanic family, funerals are a family event and everyone takes part and

is considered regardless of the religion.

•
When someone is known to be on their death bed…

• When someone is known to be on their death bed is when the proceedings

begin. As with all Catholics, there is the communion of last rights.

• The act of last rights is also known as Viaticum, from the Greek custom of giving

someone setting out on a journey a supper. This act was called hodoiporion.

• Ephodion was the act of providing the traveler with all the items needed for the

journey.

• The adjectival equivalent in Latin of both these words is viaticus.

• Through a study of Catholic Faith, you will see how this tradition developed from

a very modest act able to be performed by anyone to that, which was solely the

act of the clergymen.

• Last rights include the anointing of the sick, hearing the confession of the dying,

absolution, prayers, Communion and a blessing.

 • When one is of a different faith outside of the Catholic religion, the dying will

usually request a visit from the clergyman of his faith, which has the echoes of

the Catholic Faith.

• When one is dying, there is usually a person with the ill until the end to make

sure they do not die alone. This is very important to the one who is dying and

those who are members of the family that when one is dying that they have

someone with them until the end.

• The loyalty and care that the ill within the Hispanic Culture receives is second to

none. The pride in caring for our own is beautifully shown in the last moments of

one’s life when you receive the love, protection and care that your Hispanic
Family renders to you in those few precious moments.

When the loved one has departed….

When the loved one has departed, a family member will usually elect to stay with the body

in most Hispanic Cultures to keep them company and to make sure they receive the

treatment they should receive.

WAKE

• The body is prepared for burial and a wake will be held, it is when the family

sits with the body until the burial to keep them company, offer prayers and to

watch over the body.

• In the Hispanic Culture, a wake is a very social event. It gathers the family and

is for the most part a time to remember the good times and to laugh and

enjoy seeing family again. Some play cards or dominos, sit and talk of good

times and everything under the sun. Usually there is food served and drinks

as everyone gathers enjoying the company of close family and friends.

• Prayers are very common and the Novena is the most commonplace prayer at

a wake. Usually a Rosario is said for nine days following the death of a loved

one, then once on the anniversary of the day of their death. Candles and

flowers play a very important part of the funeral, as well as the wake, and are

used to decorate the burial grounds of the loved one.

FUNERAL

The funeral is set to follow the wake. This is a time when Hispanics prepare to say goodbye
to their loved one. The body has been prepared for burial, last thoughts are spoken, and

goodbyes are said. Usually a priest, or clergyman if the person was not Catholic, will preside

over the ceremony. Many times personal items will be laid into the casket with the person

who has passed away for their journey in the afterlife as well as a final gift from those who

will be left in this world.

BURIAL

• Then follows the burial, which is the choice of the majority of Hispanics as

opposed to cremation. Where a great difference lies is in the place in which

some Hispanics wish to be buried. In the Mexican Culture as well as many

Central American Cultures, they believe that there are days when the dead

return to walk amongst us. As family members, we go out to meet them and

share that day with them.

• In other Hispanic Cultures, they believe that the dead will rise again and are

“sleeping” in wait of that day.

• To this end, many Hispanics wish to be returned to their homelands to be

buried with other members of the family to keep company with while they

are in repose.

• The burial in many Hispanic Cultures is the beginning of a new phase in life

and the beginning of a new phase of freedom and strength in which they can

help those who are still alive.

• All Hispanics visit the dead and tend to their gravesite as an act of love.

Hispanics, for the most part, believe that their loved ones bodies have died

but their spirits live on in the spirit world. They pray to them, talk to them

and turn to them for guidance and support knowing they are always there

watching and caring for us as we did for them when they were living.

SOCIAL GATHERING

Following the burial there is yet again another social gathering.

A supper and reception usually follows the burial where family comes together again to eat,

laugh and comfort those who need it as well as remembering the one who is now gone on
before us to the spirit world.

HISPANIC BELIEFS

• Hispanics believe that not even death can remove the love and care a family

has for each other.

• Family is forever, love overcomes all. Death is a natural state and phase in life

that we all must endure. To endure it with love, respect and dignity are a gift

that only a family can give you. To be gently ushered into the afterlife on the

prayers and love of your family, knowing you will always be remembered and

thought of, welcomed home and cherished even after you are no longer of this
world is a strengthening power that allows you to face life with a new vision.

• A funeral is just one more act, a final act of love and devotion, family

gathering in shared affection.

• In the Hispanic Culture, as with any family event, a funeral is a big event filled

with family, laughter, food, friends and love because in the end, if you don’t

have family, what do you have?

• Family, in the end, for Hispanic Culture, it is the one thing you get to take with

you when you die.