What are the different funeral rituals around the world?

Our perception of death is largely influenced by the environment and culture we’re raised. It’s no surprise, then, that funeral ceremonies are composed of very different rituals around the world.

Beyond religious beliefs, the goal of a funeral ceremony is to honour the life of the deceased as well as to bring comfort to their grieving loved ones. The rituals practised at these gatherings change from region to region and are a reflection of culture.

Discover 3 funeral traditions that are very different from those of Quebecers!

3 Surprising Funeral Traditions Practised Abroad

In western countries, funerals have traditionally been very serene events with a serious atmosphere. Guests show up adorned in black to mourn the loss of a loved one. The funeral rituals we’re accustomed to usually have nothing in common with a celebration or joyous event.

Yet, this is not the case in many cultures around the world. In Mexico, for example, an entire day is devoted to celebrating the Day of the Dead This festive event aims to honour those who have passed with various banquets, parades, and chants.

Here are 3 funeral traditions practised abroad that will surprise you!

Republic of Ghana: Dancing Pallbearers

In 2015, a woman shared a video of her mother-in-law’s funeral on social media. It featured dancing pallbearers whose choreography quickly became a viral sensation. To a western audience, this spectacle was quite surprising. In fact, some conservative viewers may even feel uncomfortable or offended by these images.

Yet, in Ghana, funeral ceremonies are friendly and joyous events, and the atmosphere is typically festive. Cocktails and food are plentiful, and guests are busy on the dancefloor, moving to the tunes of a DJ. According to MapExpress, Ghanaian funerals usually cost between 15,000 and 20,000 dollars.

The deceased’s body is usually exposed in a custom casket that pays tribute to the life they lived. Ghanaians believe in the afterlife with loved ones being sent off into their next life to the sound of chants. These goodbye songs are meant to appease mourning loved ones, and it is believed that they open a passage towards the next world.

Sagada’s Hanging Coffins

A small municipality named Sagada can be found 8 hours out of Manila, the national capital of the Philippines. What’s so special about this small, 12,000-person community? A very unusual funerary ritual: the dead of the Igorot tribe hang in coffins from cliffs as well as in several caves in the valley.

In Sagada, when possible, one is responsible for crafting their own casket before they pass. Once someone has passed, their body is embalmed and exposed, sitting on a chair in an upright position. The visitation period lasts a few days. The remains are then laid in a casket in the fetal position, which is believed to facilitate their journey to the afterlife. It was thought that suspending the coffins on higher ground helped bring the deceased’s souls closer to heaven and that it allowed them to watch over their loved ones.

For logistical reasons, this 2000-year-old ritual is no longer practised today. In fact, it is thought that the last coffin was suspended about 12 years ago.

More recently, the deceased has been buried in a cemetery. Instead of candles, small campfires are lit. On November 1st every year, during panag-apoy, an Anglican priest blesses the graves, and the cemetery is illuminated by hundreds of small campfires.

Dancing with the Dead in Madagascar

In Madagascar, funerals are two-fold: the first ceremony takes place during the burial and allows the deceased’s soul to travel to the world of the dead. The second step will take place several years later.

Famadihana, or “turning of the bones,” take place every 5 to 7 years. The remains of the Malagasy deceased are exhumed, their bones then wrapped in silk fabrics that bear their family’s colours. Family members then carry the freshly wrapped bones over their shoulders, dancing to the rhythm of joyful chants.

After this moment of communion, the body is re-entered upside down. A large gathering then follows, where food and alcoholic beverages are served. This type of ceremony can take place more than once in the following years if a relative dreams that the deceased has demanded another famadihana.

This tradition stems from the belief that one’s soul can only reach the afterlife once their bones have completely decomposed. The souls of the people whose bones have never been exhumed remain in a suspended state, unable to reach the next world.

Is a Wind of Change Blowing Through Funeral Rituals in Quebec?

Recently, Quebec funeral traditions have slowly been moving away from the sober ceremonies that were typical in the past. Life celebrations are increasing in popularity as Quebecers search for a different way of saying goodbye to loved ones.

Regardless of how you proceed, keep in mind that the point is to bring comfort to grieving loved ones while respecting the deceased’s wishes.

Maybe traditions from around the world will be an inspiration next time you are forced to say goodbye to a loved one—whether that’s on the actual day of the funeral or simply when you feel the need to remember them!