Funeral traditions around the world

Local traditions make us who we are. From centuries-old rituals to parades and end-of-life celebrations that define entire nations, cultures can be identified and understood through after-life celebrations.

Whether you’re planning a funeral for a family member or carrying out research of your own accord, international funeral traditions make a fascinating topic to study.

Funerals and geographical diversity

Across different continents and away from the familiar British image of a coffin inside a hearse, funeral traditions are incredibly diverse and may seem surprising. Some are ritualistic, while others focus on the notion of the afterlife and what that involves for the person.

Many after-death rituals are celebrated across the continents:

Asia – in China, ancestral worship is a prominent part of the culture surrounding death. It’s expected that people should honour their ancestors through sacrifices and rituals. Some visit their graves while others set up altars with photographs and candles.
Europe – on the shores of Ireland, Christian funerals take precedence. Family and friends will gather in the home before the funeral, and the wake usually takes place there too. Grief is a sombre yet consoling time for Irish families, who reunite in quiet contemplation.
Africa – the vibrant celebrations in Ghana must be mentioned: these funerals are colourful and teeming with joy. Friends and community members will play traditional jazz or brass music, especially the drums. Black clothing is often worn as a symbol of gratitude to God, while immediate family members will wear black and red.
The Americas – on the 1st and 2nd November every year, people in Mexico celebrate their ancestors during the Day of the Dead holiday. Families clean their loved ones’ graves, parading the streets wearing colourful outfits and masks.
Oceania – in New Zealand, traditional Māori haka seeps into the fabric of the culture across the island. This ceremonial dance involves infectious rhythmic movement, expressive chanting and synchronised posturing in groups. At funerals, it can be performed as a ceremonial dance.

Unique and unexpected funeral traditions

In modern society, funeral plans can be tailored to the individual. From heritage to religion, there are plenty of factors playing an important role in how families send their loved ones onwards after death.

A few of the most remarkable demonstrations of after-life include:

Hanging coffins: The Igorot Tribe in the Philippines places coffins on cliffs, believing it eases the passage to heaven.
Turning bones: The Malagasy people of Madagascar exhume bodies, rewrap them, and dance with them.
Jazz funerals: In New Orleans, a jazz band leads a procession to the cemetery, playing music that transitions to lively celebration after burial.
Sky burials: In Tibet, bodies are left in the open to be consumed by vulture.

Funeral traditions across the globe are underpinned by unwavering cultural and spiritual beliefs.

These reflect a society’s values and overall relationship with death, setting the scene for a final farewell in keeping with sentimental and traditional value. Honouring the individual, in many different ways, keeps their faith and personal beliefs alive.