Death Rite

A death rite, also termed as burial, mortuary, or funerary rite, is a religious and/or cultural ceremony associated with the dead’s burial or cremation.

Groups across the globe have a number of diverse death rites which exhibit their beliefs, geography, traditions, values, and attitudes regarding death. For instance, Muslims lay their dead on their right side facing Mecca, most Native Americans bury their dead warriors in an upright position, and some cultures in the Pacific Islands prefer water burials. Generally, the rites include cleaning, veiling or enshrouding, watching over, praying for, and finally, burying the body. Psychologically, death rites are helpful in accepting the reality of death, expressing grief and faith, having emotional, social, and economic support from the community, and acknowledging the deceased’s testimony.