Burial: It's Only Human
- Need to provide loved ones with proper burial is a distinctly human trait
- Ritual burials date back to prehistoric time
Throughout history 2 stages of burial are apparent:
Wet phase: corpse rots and becomes skeleton
Dry phase: bones taken to communal grave or charnel house
Explanation of 2 phases
- Help transfer body from that of living to the afterworld
- Dead were a threat to living, while still in flesh they could reinhabit their body so they were not safe to bury until they turned to bone
- Shift in burial practice from end of Neolithic period to beginning of Bronze Age
- Previously bones picked clean by animals were buried communally
- Wealthy began to be buried in own private mounds surrounded by belongings, in fetal position strongly suggesting belief in rebirth
- Bathing and dressing of dead is final act of love, helping them to look their best for final destination
- Ritual burials date back to prehistoric time
Throughout history 2 stages of burial are apparent:
Wet phase: corpse rots and becomes skeleton
Dry phase: bones taken to communal grave or charnel house
Explanation of 2 phases
- Help transfer body from that of living to the afterworld
- Dead were a threat to living, while still in flesh they could reinhabit their body so they were not safe to bury until they turned to bone
- Shift in burial practice from end of Neolithic period to beginning of Bronze Age
- Previously bones picked clean by animals were buried communally
- Wealthy began to be buried in own private mounds surrounded by belongings, in fetal position strongly suggesting belief in rebirth
- Bathing and dressing of dead is final act of love, helping them to look their best for final destination
FUN FACT
People have been buried in all different positions, but generally not upside down. Except in 18th century England, where a small number of people were convinced that the world would flip on Judgement Day and so they had themselves buried head first in order to be standing up for the reckoning.
People have been buried in all different positions, but generally not upside down. Except in 18th century England, where a small number of people were convinced that the world would flip on Judgement Day and so they had themselves buried head first in order to be standing up for the reckoning.
Ritual Burials: So Easy Even a Caveman Could Do It
- Originally believed that Cro-Magnons were the first to ritually bury dead but evidence exists showing the Neanderthals did so before them
- Cro-Magnon sites found having bodies painted in red, dressed in tunics, wearing jewelry, surrounded by belongings
- Neanderthal site called Shanidar Cave discovered in early 1960s in Iraqi moutains
- Since then, other Neanderthal bodies found appeared to be buried in special arrangements, under triangular stones, with tools
- Some argue flowers were dragged in cave by burrowing rodents
- Cro-Magnon sites found having bodies painted in red, dressed in tunics, wearing jewelry, surrounded by belongings
- Neanderthal site called Shanidar Cave discovered in early 1960s in Iraqi moutains
- Since then, other Neanderthal bodies found appeared to be buried in special arrangements, under triangular stones, with tools
- Some argue flowers were dragged in cave by burrowing rodents
Mausoleum: any grand, stately tomb
-comes from the ruler of ancient Persia named Mausolos who died in 353 BC
- his wife wanted to honor his memory with giant shrine in what is now Bodrum, Turkey
- took 3 years to complete
- was one of the original Seven Wonders of the World
- remained standing until the 15th century when it was severely damaged by earthquakes, now only the foundation stand
-comes from the ruler of ancient Persia named Mausolos who died in 353 BC
- his wife wanted to honor his memory with giant shrine in what is now Bodrum, Turkey
- took 3 years to complete
- was one of the original Seven Wonders of the World
- remained standing until the 15th century when it was severely damaged by earthquakes, now only the foundation stand
The Wacky World of Funeral Customs
- Jivaro tribe of the Andes believe death is the work of an evil supernatural force and join in violent demonstrations after tribesperson dies
- Peasants of rural Romania fear the malicious spirits of the dead will haunt the living so when someone dies, the windows and doors of the house are immediately opened to allow the departing soul an easy exit. Then the feet of the dead are bound and a candle is lit on the chest to light the way to the beyond. For three days, someone watches over the body constantly to make sure it doesn't become evil. - American customs can be viewed as ridiculous as well, with putting makeup on the dead and lying them several thousand dollar caskets |
God Is in the Details: Religion and Burial
Roman Catholic:
- before death, anointed by priest and given final communion
- 3 part funeral: vigil/wake, funeral itself, Rite of Committal at cemetery where family leaves before burial
Protestant:
- 8000+ denominations so there is no single way to treat death
- visitation of funeral home, brief church service, brief committal service at gravesite
- before death, anointed by priest and given final communion
- 3 part funeral: vigil/wake, funeral itself, Rite of Committal at cemetery where family leaves before burial
Protestant:
- 8000+ denominations so there is no single way to treat death
- visitation of funeral home, brief church service, brief committal service at gravesite
Jewish:
- corpse is washed by burial society
- Jewish Law forbids mutilation (embalming, autopsy, cremation)
- dressed in white shroud, men in prayer shawl with one corner cut to release from earthly religious obligations
- placed in plain wooden coffin and sprinkled with Israeli soil, pieces of pottery put on eyes and mouth to symbolize destruction of the Temple
- no tradition of open caskets
- burial must happen ASAP, preferably before sunset on same day or within 24 hrs at latest
- brief service happens at either funeral chapel, synagogue or gravesite
- once buried, mourners take turn shoveling earth on grave
- corpse is washed by burial society
- Jewish Law forbids mutilation (embalming, autopsy, cremation)
- dressed in white shroud, men in prayer shawl with one corner cut to release from earthly religious obligations
- placed in plain wooden coffin and sprinkled with Israeli soil, pieces of pottery put on eyes and mouth to symbolize destruction of the Temple
- no tradition of open caskets
- burial must happen ASAP, preferably before sunset on same day or within 24 hrs at latest
- brief service happens at either funeral chapel, synagogue or gravesite
- once buried, mourners take turn shoveling earth on grave
Islamic:
- on death bed, loved ones recite prayer to Allah
- dying person is to declare a final time "There is no god but Allah."
- body washed and dressed in white shroud
- no mutilation allowed
- burial ASAP
- funeral held outside mosque
- body carried to gravesite where only men are allowed
- body placed on right side, facing Mecca
- mourners each throw 3 handfuls of earth onto body
Hindu:
- wash dead and dress men in white, unmarried women and wives who die before husbands in red
- body placed on platform decorated with flowers and rosewater, mantras are chanted
- carried to cremation site near river, pyre is built, body smeared with Ghee (clarified butter), eldest son circles pyre 3 times then lights it
- ashes disposed of in holy river
- cremate dead body to speed up migration of soul into new body
- on death bed, loved ones recite prayer to Allah
- dying person is to declare a final time "There is no god but Allah."
- body washed and dressed in white shroud
- no mutilation allowed
- burial ASAP
- funeral held outside mosque
- body carried to gravesite where only men are allowed
- body placed on right side, facing Mecca
- mourners each throw 3 handfuls of earth onto body
Hindu:
- wash dead and dress men in white, unmarried women and wives who die before husbands in red
- body placed on platform decorated with flowers and rosewater, mantras are chanted
- carried to cremation site near river, pyre is built, body smeared with Ghee (clarified butter), eldest son circles pyre 3 times then lights it
- ashes disposed of in holy river
- cremate dead body to speed up migration of soul into new body
Buddhist:
- no single way to conduct Buddhist funeral because religion is so widespread
- general pattern follows "family lamentation, prayers by monks, swathing of the body, offerings to the dead, the preparation of a decorated bier or carrier, a noisy and usually colorful funeral procession, cremation as the preferred mode of disposal, and ancestor worship in some form of cult of the dead."
Western Buddhists follow more simple pattern:
- any type of disposal is acceptable
- simple casket is placed next to shrine of Buddha and memories of dead
- rites may include poetry, collective chanting, silent meditation, eulogies, etc.
- brief committal ceremony at crematory or gravesite
- no single way to conduct Buddhist funeral because religion is so widespread
- general pattern follows "family lamentation, prayers by monks, swathing of the body, offerings to the dead, the preparation of a decorated bier or carrier, a noisy and usually colorful funeral procession, cremation as the preferred mode of disposal, and ancestor worship in some form of cult of the dead."
Western Buddhists follow more simple pattern:
- any type of disposal is acceptable
- simple casket is placed next to shrine of Buddha and memories of dead
- rites may include poetry, collective chanting, silent meditation, eulogies, etc.
- brief committal ceremony at crematory or gravesite
State Funerals
- American state funerals are granted by law to all US presidents of the past and present or to anyone honored by the current president
- details vary but all include 21 gun salute and a coffin covered with the flag
- body lies in the East Room of the White House if it's a current president, then moved to the Capitol Rotunda for public viewing
- later the coffin may be drawn by 6 horses of the same color through the funeral procession to a memorial service for international heads of state usual at the National Cathedral and then to its final resting place
- 11 presidents, including the 4 who were assassinated have been given state funerals
- American state funerals are granted by law to all US presidents of the past and present or to anyone honored by the current president
- details vary but all include 21 gun salute and a coffin covered with the flag
- body lies in the East Room of the White House if it's a current president, then moved to the Capitol Rotunda for public viewing
- later the coffin may be drawn by 6 horses of the same color through the funeral procession to a memorial service for international heads of state usual at the National Cathedral and then to its final resting place
- 11 presidents, including the 4 who were assassinated have been given state funerals