Anita Ganeri - Remembering the Dead Around the World

For the Day of the Dead, stalls everywhere sell little skulls made from sugar. They are white and decorated in colorful icing, foil, and glitter. People give the skulls as gifts. The name of the person receiving the skull is written on the skull in icing.

Aboriginal people have lived in Australia for thousands of years. When a loved one dies in Aboriginal society, a smoking ceremony is held near the dead persons house. People place bunches of green leaves on a small fire to make smoke. The smoke is wafted over the house and mourners. People believe that the smoke will drive away evil spirits. The smoke also cleanses the place and marks a new beginning.

After the ceremony, there is a big feast with singing and dancing. The mourners paint themselves with red ocher (clay), again to scare away evil. Traditionally, in northern parts of Australia, the dead persons body is placed on top of a wooden platform outside the village and covered in leaves. Then it is left to rot away.

This man is blowing on a bunch of smoldering leaves to make fire for a smoking ceremony.

CEREMONY FOR A BABY

Smoking ceremonies are also held at other important times, such as the birth of a baby. Aboriginal people believe that the smoke will help the baby to grow up to be strong and healthy. If a child is sick, another smoking ceremony is held to help it get better.

Mourners paint their faces with red ocher and gather for a smoking ceremony.

Jewish Funeral

A cremated instead.

The rabbi leads the prayers at an Orthodox Jewish funeral.

The , the Jewish holy book. He also talks about the life and achievements of the person who has died.

For seven days after a death, the family stays at home to mourn their loved one. This is called sitting Shivah ( Shivah means seven). Every evening, friends and relatives visit the house to offer prayers and sympathy to the family.

The Yahrzeit candle is lit on the anniversary of the persons death.

LIGHTING A CANDLE

Each year, on the anniversary of his or her death, the dead persons name is read out in the Kaddish, which is the Jewish prayer for the dead.

Funeral Gifts

There are many rules around death in Chinese culture. People believe that bad luck will come to the family if it does not follow the rules properly.

At a funeral in coffin. People also bring white envelopes, filled with money. This is given to the family to help pay for the funeral.

Flower stalls in China sell wreaths for funerals.

In return, the family gives each guest a white or red envelope with a coin, a piece of candy, a handkerchief, and a piece of red thread inside. The coin is to make sure that the guest returns home safely. Guests take the red thread home and tie it to the front door of their house to keep evil spirits away.

Professional mourners join the procession at a Chinese funeral.

PAID TO MOURN

At some Chinese funerals, the family hires mourners to make sure that their loved one is given a good, lively send-off. The mourners are paid to cry, wail, and sing sad songs and are often accompanied by a band.

Mourning Clothes Around the World

Colors of mourning

In different cultures, different colors are linked to death. In some countries, people wear black black clothes for the rest of their lives.

Japanese mourners traditionally wear black.

Chinese colors

In Chinese culture, only the dead persons closest relatives wear black. Any grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and cousins wear blue. Other mourners, who are not as close to the dead person, wear white and other bright colors. People do not wear red clothes, because red is the color of happiness.