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Chapter: Religion and the Funeral Director Chapter: Religion and the Funeral Director 2 CE Hours By: Elite Staff Learning objectives Be able to conduct each funeral service with dignity and respect, In dealing with the bereaved, be able to: adapting funeral arrangements to serve the needs of each family as ○ Understand and respect the values of the people you serve. appropriate and according to their means, customs, and religious, ○ Provide interpreters, if necessary. cultural and national traditions. ○ Reduce incidents of perceived discrimination, lack of empathy, Be able to recognize, understand and adapt to the needs of ethnic or hostility due to ignorance of specific customs and traditions. communities as well as mainstream or numerically dominant Be accountable and able to serve the multicultural consumer base. groups. Demographic trends in the United States1 Demographic trends in North America point to increasing diversity century is seeing the development of three major subcultures: African of religion, nation of origin, culture and subculture. In the United American, Hispanic, and Asian American. Within each of these groups States, the racial and ethnic composition of the country is changing are subgroups defined by different languages, cultures and religions. – no longer a white majority and black minority, the early part of this Variation within groups Funeral rites vary not only by religion and culture, but also by country While each ritual is unique, most funerals include the following of origin, family customs, financial resources and/or the personal components: 2 preferences of the individual and families involved in the ritual. This ● A death announcement. course introduces customs and cultures characteristic of some of the ● Some preparation of the deceased. world’s major religions and nationalities. Differences of opinion exist ● Disposition of the body. not only within specific groups of faith but also between the different ● A service or ceremony. branches of a religion. The information presented can only begin to ● Memorialization. introduce the many varieties that exist in each category. Because so many variations exist, it is best to contact a local or regional representative of the religion or culture at an appropriate place of worship. Resources are suggested throughout the chapter. African-American funerals Definitive statements about African-American death and grieving African-American subcultures are also distinguished by geography or are not easy to make, due to the great diversity within and among region (Northern or Southern; urban or rural), socioeconomic status, African American communities in the United States. In 1963, a educational background and religion (Southern Baptists, Catholics, book, “The American Way of Death” [Mitford; 19633], hypothesized Pentecostal, Protestants, etc.). The Nation of Islam is a distinct that traditional black funeral customs were disappearing, becoming subculture that shares few rituals with mainstream African-American increasingly similar to those of the white majority. Yet, four decades Christian culture. Muslim funerals require burial within 24 hours of the later, African-American funerals continue to be an eclectic mixture of death, and consider embalming and cremation taboo. Funeral services diverse religious and cultural elements. are directed by men only, and are typically conducted at a mosque. The While some African-American funerals are no different than Euro- Imam, or religious leader in the Muslim ceremony, leads a recitation American funerals, African-American funeral rites often combine a from the Quran, and viewing of remains is prohibited. The deceased is number of contemporary and traditional customs, with rituals, in some positioned in the casket to face East, toward Mecca, as are the grave cases, that emphasize the individual’s ancestral roots in West Africa or and the chairs at the funeral site with services. the Caribbean. Customs of African origin may include a wake lasting a Even the “standard” Christian African-American funeral varies depending number of days, and ritualistic drumming, singing, and dancing. Other on the individual’s religious denomination. Perhaps the one constant in an customs with an African source are throwing dirt into the grave and African-American funeral is the great effort made to attend, considered a decorating graves with broken pottery, a West African observance seen necessity for dear friends and relatives, and even a strict obligation for in Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia. Americans of Caribbean acquaintances of the deceased, regardless of the proximity of relationship descent may “hide” an object in the casket with the body. In cases of with the deceased. Funerals in the United States may take place a week cremation, the individual may ask that the ashes be scattered in the or more after the time of death to provide the relatives and friends of the ancestral homeland or another cherished location. deceased time to travel, if necessary, to attend the funeral. Funeral.EliteCME.com Page 1 Traditional African-American funerals are more common in the rural members who say “words,” and those chosen for music solos or South, among the more evangelical religious groups (Church of God, choir renditions of significant songs. While many funeral services are Missionary Baptist, Pentecostal). Modern funerals are more prevalent elaborate affairs, the deceased’s preference for a simple ceremony at in the urban North, and among members of Roman Catholic and the graveside is also honored, with graveside rites or a short funeral mainline Protestant congregations. instead of a traditional church service. Common customs include: There is a stereotype that African-American funerals are less formal ● The evening before the funeral, the return of the corpse to the home. and more expressive than those of mainstream culture, in regard to ● On the day of funeral, body and funeral party are driven to church. death and the rituals surrounding it. Pentecostal and Southern Baptist ● Exits and entrances of the church are lined by women, or “flower funerals, in particular, are known for eloquent, emotional sermons, girls,” who usually dress in white. chanting in the charismatic call and response style, and an openly ● The corpse is brought into the church, through the passageway emotional expression of grief. Some say the graceful, dignified lined by flower girls, with the church bell tolling. mourning and minimal public display of emotion by the wives of John ● The choir sings and the minister recites some words. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, whose tragic deaths occurred in ● A song is sung by the choir and audience. the 1960s, set a tone for less emotional expression at white and black ● Scripture is read and/or a prayer is delivered by an assisting funerals alike, with stronger outbursts appearing “old fashioned.” minister or prominent church member, including: Today there is great range in expression of grief, not only among ○ Reading of the obituary. blacks in general, but within families, as well. ○ Acknowledgement of flowers and messages. The jazz funeral is another unique African-American custom that ○ Testimonies by friends and neighbors delivered. became a distinct cultural feature of New Orleans as far back as ○ A eulogy is read by the pastor. the early 1800s. The funeral itself is commonly held in a funeral ● The audience takes final view of the remains. home, rather than the family church. The body is displayed and is ● Interment. accompanied in the casket by favorite items belonging to the deceased. ● Male volunteers typically fill the grave after final rites. The ceremony is traditionally conducted by men. ● The reception line may be arranged by age, from the oldest to the youngest. In a traditional jazz funeral, the band meets at the church or funeral ● In Baptist and rural churches, a collection is taken from mourners parlor where the dismissal services are being conducted. During the as they pass the corpse, to help defray expenses if the deceased’s procession from the funeral location to the final resting place following family has limited means. the services, it is customary to play a dirge or “Negro spiritual” such as “Nearer My God to Thee,” very slowly and mournfully. The band may While these factors vary according to the status of the deceased, his/ walk only a short distance, perhaps a couple of blocks, since burial sites her reputation in the community, position in the church, and/or family are not always within walking distance of the church or funeral parlor. If preferences, elaborate organizational skills are apparent in the practical the cemetery is close, the band will accompany the procession to it. assistance provided mourners in their time of grief. As soon as news of the death is announced and there is an expectation of a “church” When the interment ceremony is completed, the band leads the procession funeral, the first questions asked of the mourner are: “To what church from the graveside without playing. Once the band is a respectful distance did the deceased belong?” and, “Who will preach the funeral?” from the burial site, the lead trumpeter plays a note, and the band strikes Instantly, myriad rituals are in place: church “sisters” cook meals and up a rousing, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” or a ragtime song such attend to details that must be carried out; and church “nurses” go with as “Didn’t He Ramble” on the return from the cemetery. The practice family members to view the body. of having music during funeral processions
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