Cross-Cultural Guide to Death Rites from Selected Nations
National Origin of Your Client/Family Rites When Death Occurs
Afghanistan (population 89% Muslim) Muslim rites: Body generally remains at home— cared for, washed, wrapped in white cloth Mullah often in attendance Friends and family visit Buried in 24 hours Ceremony held 2 days after burial and is followed by a meal
Albania (population 70% Muslim, 20% Orthodox, 10% Catholic)
Muslim rites
Algeria (population 99% Muslim) Muslim rites
Australia (population 76% Christian) Cremation and burial both practiced Grieving may be reserved—crying with no wailing
Bahrain (population 100% Muslim) Muslim rites
Bangladesh (population 83% Muslim, 16% Hindu, 1% other)
Muslim rites
Belize (population 90% Christian) Demonstrative in grief May have spectacular funerals
Burma (population 85% Buddhist) May prefer quality rather than quantity of life Dying person may be helped to recall past good deeds Cremation may be preferred
Cambodia Buddhist beliefs as discussed earlier
Kampuchea (population 95% Buddhist) White clothing worn during 3-month mourning period Some mourners shave their heads
Chad (population 44% Muslim) Muslim rites China (population 97% atheist and eclectic)
Initial burial in a coffin; after 7 years, body is exhumed and cremated, and the urn is reburied in a tomb
Cuba (population 85% Catholic) Family and friends stay with body through night Burial in 24 hours May have holy hour every night for 9 consecutive days
(continued)
differences in expressions and that in some locations deaths are merely listed by the person’s name and in other locations the event of death evokes comments such as “sunrise . . . sunset” and “departed this life.” Table 6–6 is a guide to death rites from selected nations. Table 6–7 lists beliefs that people from dif- ferent religious backgrounds may have regarding death. Finally, Table 6–8 lists selected cultural traditions in after-death rituals and mourning.