9 Unique Funeral And Burial Customs Around The World

By: James Donofrio
Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Planning a funeral or a burial service can be a stressful experience. What kind of music should they play? How should people dress? If a poem needs to be recited, which one should it be? We tend to avoid discussing mortality and death in the United States, but there is a wide range of approaches to memorializing the dead in other societies and cultures. Here, our Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home team will look beyond the norms of American funeral and burial customs to different cultures' funeral practices.

Unique Funeral And Burial Customs Around The World

The following is a list of some of the more unusual and fascinating funeral and burial practices from different cultures:

1. Antyesti, India

Antyesti is a Hindu ritual whose literal translation is "last sacrifice." In this ritual, the deceased is returned to the elements that created them based on their age, gender, and caste. And a funeral pyre is used in at least one part of this custom.

2. Burial Beads, South Korea

South Koreans have had to become creative in dealing with death due to a lack of available graveyards. The deceased's ashes are cremated and then pressed into beads worn as jewelry. They are usually brightly colored and may be kept in a bottle or urn.

3. Funeral Strippers, China, Taiwan

In Taiwan, having a large funeral turnout is a prime concern. Some families will hire strippers, throw dances, and prepare huge meals to attract more guests to their funeral “parties.”

4. Hanging Coffins, China, The Philippines

Hanging coffins are a common practice in China, particularly on mountainsides and other inaccessible locations. In the Philippines, the town of Sagada held the widespread belief that if a deceased person's coffin were closer to the sky, their soul would rest easier.

The Philippines has its own "Tinguian Funeral," which is similar to an American funeral. Where people usually dress the deceased in their best clothes, sit them in a seat, and give them a cigarette before they are buried. And the dead sit there ‘smoking’ for weeks.

5. Jade Burial Suit, The Han Dynasty China

During the Han dynasty, the king and queen wore jade ceremonial garments to their funerals and final resting places. Jade was cut into squares, rectangles, and triangles and later threaded with wires to create armor-like pieces. They were costly and took several years to complete.

6. Jazz Funeral, New Orleans

This funeral procession is unique to Cajun, New Orleans, and Louisiana culture, combining elements of European and African traditions. To the chorus of laments and other mournful musical selections, the deceased person is carried in a jazz procession from the crematorium or chapel to the cemetery. The band plays more upbeat music at the subsequent celebration of the person’s life.

7. Memento Mori, Victorian England

Death and grief were widely celebrated during the Victorian era and photographs of the deceased were widely used in their funeral and burial customs. Spirit photos, which used double exposure cameras to create a shadowy photograph of the deceased person alongside a solid picture of the mourning, were extremely popular. Jewelry or other mementos made from the dead's hair were also highly valued and frequently exchanged as tokens of affection.

8. Sky Burial, Tibet

Cremation or donating remains to animals is considered a charitable act by most Buddhist practices. Due to a lack of available firewood in Tibet, it has become customary to allow vultures to pick over the remains of the deceased. After the bones have been cleaned, they are broken down and fed to crows.

In Mongolia, a similar ritual called "Air Sacrifice" is practiced. The family lays the corpse out in the open and draws an outline against the body with stones. Dogs and birds devour the body until only the outline, representing the soul, remains.

9. Totenpass, Egypt, Ancient Greece And North-Eastern Africa

Members of the ancient religions of Orpheus and Dionysus and some Egyptian and Semitic religions used passports of the dead in their funeral and burial customs. These memorial tablets were made of metal or stone and featured an image of the deceased on one side. Details on how to navigate the afterlife awaited you on the other side.

If you have any questions about funeral and burial customs or any other services we provide, such as funeral pre-planning, please feel free to contact Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home at (718) 282-1164 or fill out the contact form.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Personalized Burial Services & Memorial Service Options at Blair-Mazzarella: Brooklyn's Trusted Funeral Home

When facing the loss of a loved one, finding compassionate, personalized burial services and creating a meaningful memorial service becomes a priority for many families. In Brooklyn, one historic e...

Affordable Dignity: Understanding Funeral Costs in NY at Brooklyn's Historic Blair-Mazzarella

When facing the loss of a loved one, navigating funeral costs in NY can add unnecessary stress to an already difficult time. Among the many funeral homes in Brooklyn, one historic establishment has...

Eco-Friendly Green Burial Services in Brooklyn: Blair-Mazzarella's Sustainable Approach

As environmental consciousness continues to grow across all aspects of life, more families are seeking green burial options that honor their loved ones while respecting the earth. In Brooklyn, one ...

Funeral Pre-Planning in Brooklyn: A Thoughtful Guide from Blair-Mazzarella Funeral Home

Making arrangements for end-of-life care isn't something most of us eagerly anticipate, yet funeral pre-planning offers profound benefits that more Brooklyn residents are discovering each year. Amo...

Compassionate Cremation Services Brooklyn: Blair-Mazzarella's Century of Care

In the midst of grief, finding a trusted provider for cremation services Brooklyn families can rely on becomes a crucial decision. Among the many funeral homes in NYC, one historic establishment ha...

Compassionate Burial Services: Why Brooklyn Families Choose Blair-Mazzarella Funeral Home

When facing the loss of a loved one, finding compassionate, reliable burial services can make all the difference during life's most challenging moments. For residents across Brooklyn and the greate...

Navigating Funeral Options in Brooklyn, NY: Understanding Traditional Burials and Cremation Services

Planning a funeral is a deeply personal and often emotional experience. For families in Brooklyn, NY, the options for honoring a loved one’s life are as diverse as the community itself. Blair Mazza...

What to Expect at a Funeral Service: A Comprehensive Guide

Attending a funeral service for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of what to expect. Whether you’re there to pay your respects or to support a grieving loved one, un...

Understanding Funeral Service Durations: A Comprehensive Guide

Funeral services hold profound emotional and cultural significance, yet many people are unsure of what to expect, particularly regarding their duration. Knowing how long a funeral service lasts can...

Planning a Funeral in Brooklyn: A Guide by Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home

Planning a funeral is one of life’s most emotional and challenging tasks. For families in Brooklyn, this process often involves making difficult decisions about services and managing associated cos...