Funeral: Difference between revisions
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|Ceremony for honoring and remembering the deceased}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} | |||
A '''funeral''' is a ceremony connected with the burial, cremation, or other forms of disposition of a [[dead body]], as well as a celebration of the life of the deceased. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember and honor the dead, from interment itself to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor. Customs vary widely between cultures and religious groups. | |||
== | ==History== | ||
Funerals have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. The earliest known burial dates back to around 100,000 years ago, with the discovery of a Neanderthal burial site in the Middle East. Ancient Egyptians are well-known for their elaborate funerary practices, including mummification and the construction of grand [[pyramids]] as tombs for their pharaohs. | |||
[[File:Opening_of_the_mouth_ceremony_(cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Ancient Egyptian funerary ritual: Opening of the mouth ceremony]] | |||
== | ==Types of Funerals== | ||
Funerals can be categorized into several types based on cultural and religious practices: | |||
== | ===Traditional Funerals=== | ||
Traditional funerals often involve a viewing or wake, a funeral service, and a burial or cremation. These ceremonies are typically held in a [[funeral home]], church, or other religious venue. | |||
== | ===Cremation=== | ||
* [[ | Cremation is a method of final disposition that involves burning the body. It is a common practice in many cultures and religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. | ||
[[File:Manikarnika_Ghat,_Varanasi,_Uttar_Pradesh,_India_(2011).jpg|thumb|left|Cremation at Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, India]] | |||
===Burial=== | |||
Burial is the act of placing the deceased into the ground. It is one of the oldest methods of disposition and is practiced in many cultures around the world. | |||
===State Funerals=== | |||
State funerals are public funerals held to honor people of national significance. They often involve military honors and are attended by dignitaries from around the world. | |||
[[File:JohnPaulII-funeral.jpg|thumb|right|State funeral of Pope John Paul II]] | |||
==Religious Funerals== | |||
===Christian Funerals=== | |||
Christian funerals typically include a service held in a church, followed by burial or cremation. The service often includes prayers, hymns, and a eulogy. | |||
===Jewish Funerals=== | |||
Jewish funerals are characterized by simplicity and respect for the deceased. The body is typically buried as soon as possible, and the funeral service includes prayers and the reading of psalms. | |||
[[File:Bodies_wrapped_in_tallit_at_funeral_in_Givat_Shaul_(Fogel_family).jpg|thumb|left|Jewish funeral with bodies wrapped in tallit]] | |||
===Muslim Funerals=== | |||
Muslim funerals involve washing the body, wrapping it in a simple cloth, and burying it facing Mecca. The funeral prayer, or Salat al-Janazah, is performed before burial. | |||
[[File:Muslim_Funeral1.jpg|thumb|right|Muslim funeral prayer]] | |||
===Buddhist Funerals=== | |||
Buddhist funerals often involve chanting, meditation, and offerings to the deceased. Cremation is a common practice, and the ashes may be kept in a stupa or scattered in a sacred place. | |||
===Hindu Funerals=== | |||
Hindu funerals typically involve cremation, with the ashes scattered in a sacred river. The ceremony includes prayers and rituals to help the soul achieve moksha, or liberation. | |||
==Cultural Variations== | |||
===Tibetan Sky Burial=== | |||
In Tibetan culture, sky burial is a traditional practice where the body is left on a mountaintop to decompose or be eaten by scavenging animals, particularly vultures. | |||
[[File:Vulture_-_Sky_burial.jpg|thumb|left|Vulture at a Tibetan sky burial site]] | |||
===Japanese Funerals=== | |||
Japanese funerals often involve a wake, a funeral ceremony, and a cremation. The bones are collected from the ashes in a ritual called kotsuage. | |||
[[File:Kotsuage.JPG|thumb|right|Kotsuage: collecting bones after cremation in Japan]] | |||
==Modern Funerals== | |||
Modern funerals can vary widely, with some opting for more personalized and non-traditional ceremonies. Eco-friendly or "green" funerals are becoming more popular, focusing on reducing environmental impact. | |||
==Related Pages== | |||
* [[Burial]] | |||
* [[Cremation]] | |||
* [[Mourning]] | * [[Mourning]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Memorial service]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Funerals]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:06, 23 March 2025
Ceremony for honoring and remembering the deceased
A funeral is a ceremony connected with the burial, cremation, or other forms of disposition of a dead body, as well as a celebration of the life of the deceased. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember and honor the dead, from interment itself to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor. Customs vary widely between cultures and religious groups.
History[edit]
Funerals have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. The earliest known burial dates back to around 100,000 years ago, with the discovery of a Neanderthal burial site in the Middle East. Ancient Egyptians are well-known for their elaborate funerary practices, including mummification and the construction of grand pyramids as tombs for their pharaohs.
.jpg)
Types of Funerals[edit]
Funerals can be categorized into several types based on cultural and religious practices:
Traditional Funerals[edit]
Traditional funerals often involve a viewing or wake, a funeral service, and a burial or cremation. These ceremonies are typically held in a funeral home, church, or other religious venue.
Cremation[edit]
Cremation is a method of final disposition that involves burning the body. It is a common practice in many cultures and religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism.
.jpg)
Burial[edit]
Burial is the act of placing the deceased into the ground. It is one of the oldest methods of disposition and is practiced in many cultures around the world.
State Funerals[edit]
State funerals are public funerals held to honor people of national significance. They often involve military honors and are attended by dignitaries from around the world.
Religious Funerals[edit]
Christian Funerals[edit]
Christian funerals typically include a service held in a church, followed by burial or cremation. The service often includes prayers, hymns, and a eulogy.
Jewish Funerals[edit]
Jewish funerals are characterized by simplicity and respect for the deceased. The body is typically buried as soon as possible, and the funeral service includes prayers and the reading of psalms.
.jpg)
Muslim Funerals[edit]
Muslim funerals involve washing the body, wrapping it in a simple cloth, and burying it facing Mecca. The funeral prayer, or Salat al-Janazah, is performed before burial.
Buddhist Funerals[edit]
Buddhist funerals often involve chanting, meditation, and offerings to the deceased. Cremation is a common practice, and the ashes may be kept in a stupa or scattered in a sacred place.
Hindu Funerals[edit]
Hindu funerals typically involve cremation, with the ashes scattered in a sacred river. The ceremony includes prayers and rituals to help the soul achieve moksha, or liberation.
Cultural Variations[edit]
Tibetan Sky Burial[edit]
In Tibetan culture, sky burial is a traditional practice where the body is left on a mountaintop to decompose or be eaten by scavenging animals, particularly vultures.
Japanese Funerals[edit]
Japanese funerals often involve a wake, a funeral ceremony, and a cremation. The bones are collected from the ashes in a ritual called kotsuage.
Modern Funerals[edit]
Modern funerals can vary widely, with some opting for more personalized and non-traditional ceremonies. Eco-friendly or "green" funerals are becoming more popular, focusing on reducing environmental impact.
