4 Unique Funeral and Burial Customs around the World

By: Danny Amoruccio
Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Different cultures have different kinds of burial customs. Some of these customs have been practiced for thousands of years and have special meanings, even if they seem strange to us. At Willowbrook Cemetery, we like to study the funeral and burial rites of different people. Here are some fascinating examples of unique practices:

1. Sky Burials in Tibet and Mongolia

People in Tibet and Mongolia are followers of Vajrayana Buddhism, which teaches that a person’s body has no value once the soul has departed from it. The deceased are left on mountain tops for nature to consume them. This is perhaps the most environmentally-friendly way to dispose of the dead.

2. Lavish Funerals of Azerbaijan

In contrast, funerals at Azerbaijan are lavish and grand occasions that cost thousands of dollars. While the primary religion of the country discourages this excess, the trend is still pervasive. People try to one-up each other by displaying their wealth through elaborate funeral feasts.

3. Interesting Coffins in Ghana

People of Ghana believe that death is just another aspect of life and seek to celebrate it. That’s why they create beautiful coffins that represent the deceased’s interests instead of sticking with traditional rectangular boxes. You can find coffins in the shape of cars, sneakers, musical instruments, ships, and so much more.

4. Odd Number of Flowers in Russia

People in Russia give an even number of flowers to grieving family members when they attend funerals. According to their tradition, one flower is for the grieving members or the deceased and the other is for God. If you want to give a living person some flowers, you must stick with odd numbers.

If you want to know more or need to book a service, just give us at Willowbrook Cemetery a call on 203 222 8646 or contact us through our online form.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Creative Ideas For Funeral Services

Funeral services are a time-honored tradition for honoring and celebrating the lives of our loved ones who have passed away. While traditional funeral services are still popular, there are now more...

Cremation - The Advantages and Disadvantages

Cremation is a funeral practice that involves reducing the body of a deceased person to ashes through burning. In recent years, it has become an increasingly popular choice for end-of-life services...

Benefits of Planning Your Funeral While You’re Still Alive

Death is an inevitable part of life, and planning for your funeral may not be something you want to consider. However, at Willowbrook Cemetery, we believe there are many benefits to planning your f...

7 Unique Ways to Memorialize a Loved One

At Willowbrook Cemetery, we have seen how families struggle to cope with the passing of a loved one. We strongly believe that when you find a unique way to memorialize a loved one, you honor them a...

5 Memorable Ways To Honor Your Loved One Once They’ve Passed On

Losing a loved one is never easy. Despite having said their final goodbyes, the inevitability of death can leave a person feeling empty. Even if your loved one is no longer physically present, they...

7 Funeral Etiquette Tips You Need to Know

Death has been referred to as the last taboo: the one topic that many don't want to contemplate, much less discuss, more than any other. Funerals do occur, and how we behave and what we say before,...

Building The Perfect Video Memorial For Your Loved One

We at Willowbrook Cemetery think a video memorial is a beautiful way to remember a loved one who has passed. The pain of loss and the helplessness we may feel in the face of our sorrow is a well-kn...

Coping with Memories of Grief and Loss During Hannukah

Even while the holidays are a powerful reminder of our losses, they are also an appropriate time to remember and celebrate the lives of those we have lost. Dealing with a loss during Hannukah can h...

Care Essentials While Grieving The Loss Of A Loved One

Grieving the loss of a loved one may sometimes test even the strongest of people. Experiencing loss is a personal journey everyone must do on their terms. Willowbrook Cemetery knows how difficult i...

Remembering A Loved One At Thanksgiving

When we still mourn the loss of a beloved one as the Thanksgiving holiday season approaches, everything seems different, as if the world were turned upside down. We are frequently expected to conti...