Funeral

Ceremony for honoring and remembering the deceased

A funeral is a ceremony connected with the burial, cremation, or other forms of disposition of a dead body, as well as a celebration of the life of the deceased. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember and honor the dead, from interment itself to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor. Customs vary widely between cultures and religious groups.

History

Funerals have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. The earliest known burial dates back to around 100,000 years ago, with the discovery of a Neanderthal burial site in the Middle East. Ancient Egyptians are well-known for their elaborate funerary practices, including mummification and the construction of grand pyramids as tombs for their pharaohs.

Ancient Egyptian funerary ritual: Opening of the mouth ceremony

Types of Funerals

Funerals can be categorized into several types based on cultural and religious practices:

Traditional Funerals

Traditional funerals often involve a viewing or wake, a funeral service, and a burial or cremation. These ceremonies are typically held in a funeral home, church, or other religious venue.

Cremation

Cremation is a method of final disposition that involves burning the body. It is a common practice in many cultures and religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism.

Cremation at Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, India

Burial

Burial is the act of placing the deceased into the ground. It is one of the oldest methods of disposition and is practiced in many cultures around the world.

State Funerals

State funerals are public funerals held to honor people of national significance. They often involve military honors and are attended by dignitaries from around the world.

State funeral of Pope John Paul II

Religious Funerals

Christian Funerals

Christian funerals typically include a service held in a church, followed by burial or cremation. The service often includes prayers, hymns, and a eulogy.

Jewish Funerals

Jewish funerals are characterized by simplicity and respect for the deceased. The body is typically buried as soon as possible, and the funeral service includes prayers and the reading of psalms.

Jewish funeral with bodies wrapped in tallit

Muslim Funerals

Muslim funerals involve washing the body, wrapping it in a simple cloth, and burying it facing Mecca. The funeral prayer, or Salat al-Janazah, is performed before burial.

Muslim funeral prayer

Buddhist Funerals

Buddhist funerals often involve chanting, meditation, and offerings to the deceased. Cremation is a common practice, and the ashes may be kept in a stupa or scattered in a sacred place.

Hindu Funerals

Hindu funerals typically involve cremation, with the ashes scattered in a sacred river. The ceremony includes prayers and rituals to help the soul achieve moksha, or liberation.

Cultural Variations

Tibetan Sky Burial

In Tibetan culture, sky burial is a traditional practice where the body is left on a mountaintop to decompose or be eaten by scavenging animals, particularly vultures.

Vulture at a Tibetan sky burial site

Japanese Funerals

Japanese funerals often involve a wake, a funeral ceremony, and a cremation. The bones are collected from the ashes in a ritual called kotsuage.

Kotsuage: collecting bones after cremation in Japan

Modern Funerals

Modern funerals can vary widely, with some opting for more personalized and non-traditional ceremonies. Eco-friendly or "green" funerals are becoming more popular, focusing on reducing environmental impact.

Related Pages

• Burial
• Cremation
• Mourning
• Memorial service