4 Unique Funeral and Burial Customs around the World

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.