Despite its morbidity, death is often seen as a sacred rite. Most religions describe specific preferences and prohibitions. The process of grieving and caring for the deceased is as varied as humans themselves. These three styles of death rituals have been observed across time, geographic location, class, culture, and religion.

Cremation

Cremation, or burning the body, is one of the oldest death rituals, dating back to the Stone Age. Archaeological records find this practice going back at least 20,000 years of human history, tracing the earliest known example back to the “Lady Mungo” found in what is now Australia. The pagans saw this as a spiritual purification. Cremation urns, also called funerary, cinerary, or burial urns, span most ancient cultures, including Chinese, Greek, Anglo-Saxon, and pre-Columbian. In Bavarian tradition, the hearts of kings were placed in cremation urns, a notable example being King Otto in 1916. Hindus believe in reincarnation and that the cycle of life and death mirrors that of the universe. As an orthopraxic religion, Hinduism venerates rituals and correct conduct above metaphysical faith, and the death rite “Antyesti” literally means the “ultimate sacrifice.” The immortal soul, or “atman”, is released in this process. The historical Buddha Siddhartha Gautama was a Hindu and was cremated, thus setting a precedent for Buddhists. Ceremonies marking death are a reminder of the impermanence of life, which is the cornerstone of Buddhism. Jainism observes a simple ceremony called “Mahotsav”, or the use of a funeral pyre. Since they believe that reincarnation is immediate, prolonged mourning, crying, or anniversary celebrations are not appropriate.

Office

Inhumation, or burial on hot ground or in a grave, began in various indigenous cultures and became the preferred method of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Caskets, like cremation urns, range from cardboard boxes to ornate wooden works of art. Most of the indigenous African tribes buried the dead as soon as possible to reunite them with their ancestors. As described in Herodotus already in the year 4000 a. C., the ancient Egyptians saw the afterlife as the common destiny for all people. The bodies were mummified and placed in a sarcophagus to preserve the soul for the afterlife, which they believed reflected life on Earth. Jewish burial is mandatory and cremation is prohibited. Funerals take place one day after death, followed by a week-long mourning period, or “shiva”, and finally burial. The first Christians buried their dead in catacombs and cemeteries. Despite the concerns of some Christians about resurrection after cremation, most modern theologians maintain the relative insignificance of the physical body after death. Islamic funerals, or “Janazah” in Arabic, begin with “ghusi” or bathing and shrouding the body, followed by “salah” or prayer, and finally burying the body. Islamic Sharia law requires burial with the head facing Mecca and prohibits cremation.

excarnation

The exhibition of the corpse, or excarnation, consists of leaving the body for the animals to plunder. Herodotus describes the exposure of the Zoroastrians in the middle of the 5th century BC. C., then, in particular, with the Tower of Silence from the 9th century. Zoroastrians viewed the deceased as unclean, and earth and fire as sacred, so exposure prevented such contact. Some Buddhist cultures practice exposure, particularly Tibetan sky burial. The body is wrapped in a ceremonial white shroud. Then, they collect relic bones to be cremated, buried, or placed in a “stupa.” Survivors reflect in meditative circumambulation, or slowly circling around the structure. Some Native American cultures practiced exposure, traveling with the body wrapped on the back of a horse to the destination, with the body continuing the cycle of life.

Considering the deceased’s last wishes, such as scattering the ashes, burying them in a family plot or mausoleum, or donating them to science, is an important way to honor the individual, culture, and religion, as well as create closure for your loved ones. one is one.