Globally, people celebrate or mourn the passing of loved ones in different ways. Because these traditions are engrained in cultural practices, some may not understand the reasons for death rites of passage. However, monetary challenges in reproducing these traditions can cause a change in tradition. This report addresses the different funeral traditions and offers a solution in the event of financial challenges.
History
Throughout history our primordial ancestors have believed in the after life. Such beliefs entail processes like burials and ceremonies, which some believed were used to be used in the afterlife or to be recovered in a later reincarnation. As Vicki Lensing cites Despelder and Strickland:
Research indicates that as far back as 50,000 years ago, man exhibited concern for the dead. Neanderthal burials included food, ornamental shells, and stone tools. This implied a belief in the afterlife and a concern about life, death, and the rituals that connected the two. Other ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans also demonstrated beliefs and rituals about death and an afterlife (2001).
Because these beliefs originated in antiquity, one may question the nature of these beliefs. The way of thinking 50,000 years ago was quite different from modern man. According to the late author and psychologist Julian Jaynes, there was no consciousness within man then. Man was vulnerable to auditory senses and hallucinations, the only sense that can not be irreversibly shut off. When analyzing the bicameral mind, primordial thought was completely centered in the
right-brain (Jaynes, 1967). When examining tradition, it is important to question the origins; for they may not prove useful ...
... middle of paper ...
..., L. (2009). Leading the world: The role of Britain and the first World War in promoting
the “Modern Cremation” movement. Journal of Social History, 42(3), 557-579. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text database. (NEED DOI) IF NOT PUT IN THE WEBSITE
References
Dorsey, J. (2008). 10 Extraordinary Burial Ceremonies From Around the World. Brave New Traveler - Online Travel Magazine. http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/06/25/10- extraordinary-burial-ceremonies-from-around-the-world/
Jaynes, J. (2000). The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. New York: Mariner Books.
Kazmier, L. (2009). Leading the world: The role of Britain and the first World War in promoting
the “Modern Cremation” movement. Journal of Social History, 42(3), 557-579. Retrieved from SocINDEX with Full Text database. (NEED DOI) IF NOT PUT IN THE WEBSITE
Since each funeral home is for the majority independent, the “leader” is either the owner or the manager. The position is achieved th...
5 Robert H. Ferrell, America as a World Power, 1872-1945, (New York: Harper & Row
As time passed, however, Britain’s standing a Great Power quickly diminished. Despite this, British possession of nuclear weapons, United Nations Security Council membership, access to political an...
The Second World War marked one of the most important eras in the history of the British Empire. Never before had the British isles faced a threat quite like the Nazi menace across the English Channel. Yet, Britain’s situation could be viewed as even more precarious once one considers the state of Britain’s economy, but more importantly war machine, at the outbreak of the war. Years of austerity during the Great Depression had left her armies in serious decay, while Germany had built arguably the strongest military in the world. Yet, Winston Churchill’s famous “Their Finest Hour” speech illustrates a level of confidence in victory that many Brits carried. And, this was in no small part due to the fact that they knew that they had the rest of the British Empire supporting their cause. Through the empire’s contribution of both materials and
Dumbrell, J. 2004. The US--UK'Special Relationship'in a world twice transformed. Cambridge review of international affairs, 17 (3), pp. 437--450.
It’s impossible to argue that the effects of World War One were devastating for all parties involved. Unfortunately the reason for the wars inception is not as transparent as its resulting destruction. This “Popular Amnesia regarding World War One” has been attempted to be unraveled by historians for decades resulting in multiple theories and explanations. The European imperial expansion that took place in the late 19th century and the tensions it created has been credited by many historians as a cause for World War One .This essay will examine the role that imperialism played in the lead up to the war, as well as the alliances that were formed as a result of the rivalries between European states.
The Origins of the Second World War, by A.J.P. Taylor, proposes and investigates unconventional and widely unaccepted theories as to the underlying causes of World War Two. Taylor is British historian who specialized in 20th century diplomacy, and in his book claims that as a historian his job is to “state the truth” (pg. xi) as he sees it, even if it means disagreeing with existing prejudices. The book was published in 1961, a relatively short time after the war, and as a result of his extreme unbias the work became subject to controversy for many years.
Furthermore, when an individuals dies in Liberia, the deceased family washes the body while the mourners lay their hands on the departed (NewsHour Productions LLC, 2015). Once the ritual ceremony begins the entire community pay homage to the deceased. Women "wail" for the deceased as the men contribute the ceremony by singing and dancing (Minnesota Public Radio, 2015). Just prior to the ceremony ending a bowl is passed around to all the individuals present at the ceremony, fill with water used as ritual hand washing, and each individuals is to kiss the deceased on the forehead. Once the ceremony has ended, the dead body is then wrapped in cloth and buried on the land that adjoins the deceased 's house. The family believes that burring a loved one close to ones home will keep ones spirit alive, and will not be forgotten (Minnesota Public Radio,
The desire to avoid dualism has been the driving motive behind much contemporary work on the mind-body problem. Gilbert Ryle made fun of it as the theory of 'the ghost in the machine', and various forms of behaviorism and materialism are designed to show that a place can be found for thoughts, sensations, feelings, and other mental phenomena in a purely physical world. But these theories have trouble accounting for consciousness and its subjective qualia. As the science develops and we discover facts, dualism does not seems likely to be true.
Jaynes, Julian. The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. Boston: Houghton, 1976.
Most people dismiss anything having to do with death out of fear. The uncertainty some associate with death has caused Funeral Service to be a particularly taboo subject in society. One may assume funeral directors are the sketchy personalities enthralled with death, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Over the years, Funeral Service has progressed and become a larger industry. Funeral Service has changed in its history over time, affecting the education required, and the job they do today.
These ideals have influenced our culture though our use of language and thought. The implications are apparent in the common references to one’s past lives. For instance, if someone has a natural talent for music one may refer to the person as being once a talented musician in a past life. A religion which describes death as a continuation of existance is held by the Crow tribe of middle America. They viewed death as a journey with the final destination as a place where all their anscestors have gone before them.
The Chinese burial customs of the 1890s to 1930s are very different than what we see from burial customs now. There are many different, interesting things about the early 1900s Chinese burial customs:: The steps taken when a family member dies, the superstitions about burials, and the difference between our burial customs and the burial customs of the Chinese people during those times.
A funeral is an important event that should be planned with careful consideration, as each person only gets one to celebrate his or her life. People often die expectantly and suddenly leaving any funeral and burial arrangements in the hands of friends or relatives. These friends or family of the deceased may or may not have a good understanding of what the deceased would have preferred in his or her post death arrangements. A person planning his or her own funeral can prevent this guessing game and insure the arrangements are to their specifications.
Over the years, many philosophers have tried to answer the elusive mind-body problem. There has been a wide range of approaches to comprehend this matter, but perhaps none as renowned as Cartesian dualism. This theory, proposed by René Descartes in the early seventeenth century, is still central to modern metaphysical discourse. His teachings through the Meditations have been both revered and scrutinized, and still have withstood many other’s attempts to disprove them. One of his biggest critics of the twentieth century was Gilbert Ryle. In his article entitled “Descartes’ Myth,” Ryle profusely attempts to debunk this purported falsehood. However, I would reason that he was not successful in his attempt. In this essay, I will argue how Ryle’s retort to Cartesian dualism is ridiculous and hardly convincing. The basis of my argument lies upon Ryle’s vain assertion that a “category-mistake” was made by Descartes, and also through his use of behaviourism. To begin this analysis, I will first lay out what Cartesian dualism is and what is meant by Ryle in his rebuttal. Following this, I will elaborate on my dispute with Ryle’s accusation of Descartes’ alleged category-mistake. Afterwards, I will debate his use of logical behaviourism, claiming instead that actions do not always define intentions.