From fantasy coffins to being memorialized at sea, funeral traditions vary greatly around the world. Of course, most people reading this are quite familiar with American funeral traditions. Religious ceremonies hosted in a place of worship and/or opportunities to mourn together in funeral homes and culminating with cremation or traditional burial ceremonies in a cemetery much like Toledo Memorial Park.
Some traditions aim to celebrate the life of the deceased with loud, jubilant music like New Orleans Jazz Funerals. The jazz parade begins at the church or funeral home and leads mourners and loved ones to the cemetery. Music played during the procession ranges from spiritual to joyful and fun. Everyone is encouraged to dance. Other cultures, such as in India along the Ganges river, also embrace the parade-style of paying homage to loved ones.
In Ghana a furniture maker popularized fantasy coffins or “okadi adekai” in the 1950s. Today, his son carries on the craft and the deceased can be laid to rest in a coffin that shows details of their life, dreams, or whatever fantasy they or their loved ones want to present. Speaking of coffins, in the Philippians the Igorot people hang coffins over the side of a cliff. While the practice is rare today, it was thought this would bring the deceased closer to their ancestors.
Along the coast of Florida, people can choose to have their cremains turned into a portion of a coral reef. End of life options and traditions vary greatly across the cultures and throughout world history. Click for more on global and historic funeral traditions.
Time marches on and traditions grow, evolve, and change. The Green Burial Council is working toward making burial more eco-friendly. While not yet an option in all 50 states, the emerging trend of human composting is on pace to become a new funeral custom.
As always, the friendly and helpful staff at the Park can answer all of your funeral, cremation, and burial questions. Whether you’re pre-planning for yourself of a loved one or have a more pressing need, the Toledo Memorial Park team can guide you.