Bruno Pugh
Many funeral traditions you know originated as practical or spiritual rituals in ancient cultures worldwide. Some customs originated as a means to protect mourners from evil spirits, while others were intended to aid the soul’s transition to the afterlife. Curious which ones are still being followed? Here are ten such funeral rituals that began long before your great-grandparents were born.
Wearing Black
The custom of wearing black to funerals can be traced to the ancient Roman Empire, where mourners wore dark togas (toga pulla). Later, pagans believed wearing black clothing acted as a disguise to confuse the spirits of the dead. That old practice was solidified once again in the Victorian era and now persists as a sign of respect and solemnity.
Funeral Processions
Today’s procession of cars traveling to a cemetery mirrors ancient journeys. Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all practiced formal processions to transport the deceased to their burial place. The scale of the event often reflected the person’s social status.
Eulogies And tributes
Public speeches praising the deceased were common in ancient Greece and Rome. This tradition, from the Greek word eulogia (“good words”), celebrated a person’s life and virtues. Eulogies still continue the same practice of honoring the life and character of the deceased through words, and sometimes, videos.
Wakes And Vigils
Modern wake or visitation provides a communal space for grieving and paying respects. It has roots in ancient Celtic and other cultures, where wakes involved staying awake with the deceased’s body until burial. This was done to stand guard against evil spirits and to make sure the person was truly dead.
Floral Tributes
Archaeological evidence from prehistoric burial sites, like the Shanidar Cave in Iraq, suggests that people used flowers in burial rituals over 60,000 years ago. These days, the tradition of offering flowers speaks of love, respect, and remembrance.
Post-Funeral Feasts And Gatherings
Many ancient and pagan traditions included a feast following the burial to share a meal with the departed’s spirit and the community. This has evolved into the modern post-funeral reception, where friends and family gather to share memories and find support.
Embalming And preservation
Ancient Egyptians developed complex methods for preserving bodies through mummification. They believed the body was needed for the journey to the afterlife. Today, embalming is chemically different, but it serves a similar purpose of temporary preservation for viewings and wakes, which provides a sense of closure for the living.
Ringing Church Bells
It’s a medieval belief that the sound of a consecrated bell could ward off evil spirits. This led to the practice of ringing church bells for the dead. The bell tolling for each year of a person’s life is a practice that was still observed into the early 20th century and lives on as a symbolic tradition now.
Leaving Personal Objects
The modern practice of placing meaningful personal items, pictures, or letters in a casket also comes from age-old traditions. The Viking and ancient Egyptian people were buried with grave goods like weapons, tools, or valuable personal possessions to help them in the afterlife.
Cremation Ceremonies
Practices involving cremation were prominent in many cultures, including those of the Norse and Vikings. Burning the body was believed to purify the deceased and release the spirit. Today, cremation is either chosen for the same belief or for environmental reasons, but it carries an age-old history.