The Importance Of Death

Death and grief are a natural part of life. Our behaviors and the way we express our grief has a lot to do with our culture. Every culture has developed ways they cope with death in their own respectful manner. These practices give us the ability to cope with death and the grieving process. Each culture has their own beliefs, rituals, and ceremonies that are incorporated into the loss of a loved one.

One of the major differences between the way western and eastern societies view death is that western societies tend to have an attitude of denial when it comes to death. “In Western society, this waiting period is regarded as having three phases: suspension, judgment, and disposition” (Kastenbaum, 2012, p. 48). The first stage is called suspension

Chinese people believe once a person dies that their souls live in another world. China believes that the nether world and graves are earthly residents. In Chinese customs it is normal to hold an extravagant funeral in order to see off the dead. Today thought they are more accustomed to holding funerals that are more simple and economical. The Chinese also believe in burying objects with the deceased such as gold, silver, pottery among other objects. China is known for having formed a profound culture of death. In China after someone dies they have a Qingming Festival. “A Qingming Festival is the day for descendants to worship their ancestors and pray for their protection, which is believed to bring luck to descendants” (Wu, 2015, p.1). During the festival people go to the grave yard and tomb-sweep while burning joss sticks and paper. By doing this they are sending their respect and memories to their ancestors. China also has different ways they dispose of the dead. This includes cave burial, tree burial, water burial, and a sky burial. When Chinese people are buried in a more traditional way such as in a coffin they select the spot for the grave using fengshui. This way the ancient art is the law and order of their universe and power of

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Angel Fire (2016). Death: A Comparison of Contemporary Attitudes and Rituals of Agnostics in London and Hindus in Kashi. Retrieved from: http://www.angelfire.com/ok2/Moo/death.html

Wu, A. (2015). China Highlights. A Grave Day–the Culture of Death! Retrieved from: http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/article/death-culture.htm

Colorado Education Department (2016). Funeral Rites and Customs. Retrieved from: http://autocww2.colorado.edu/~toldy3/E64ContentFiles/AnthropologyAndCultures/FuneralRitesAndCustoms.htm

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