A funeral wherever it takes place is a representation of the beliefs and practices that a given culture displays when it comes to remembering or commemorating the dead. Our word funeral is derived from the Latin word “funus”. This represents everything from how the corpse is treated, to the rites themselves, to the type of the burial sarcophagus and how it is decorated or whether or not display artwork at the site of the memorial itself. Funerals conducted by the same faith group in the same country or geographic region tend to have very similar characteristics. What does this mean in different parts of the world?
Mexico
Mexico is an overwhelmingly Catholic country, and so funeral rites follow the established pattern of the Roman Catholic Church. Flowers are sent as a mark of respect to the person who has died, to the family of the deceased and / or to the funeral home. The deceased is placed in an open casket which presents his or her face to mourners enabling them to pay their last respects at the funeral service. Mexican funerals are generally acknowledged to be the most florally decorated in the world with flowers such as white mums and palm fronds being particularly popular. In contrast to traditional services held in Europe, refreshments (usually tea) are available during the service. In addition, the burial itself does not generally happen until the next day because the family will stay with the dead person overnight to say their final goodbyes in absolute privacy.
Western Europe
In most West European countries, there are very strict legal frameworks which must be followed. The reasons range from the health and safety of those handling the corpse to the timescale required to notify the relevant authorities that the death has occurred. In most cases, the notification of death must occur, and the body must be buried or cremated within a set time limit. In the UK the maximum time allowed for notification is five days (although 24hours is the norm), for funerals there is no definite time limit and often the circumstances of the death will be a determining factor. A religious ceremony involves eulogy, hymns, reading from the scriptures and an immediate burial. On this last point, it is important to remember that for a series of inter-related reasons steeped in practicality and changed preferences that cremation is becoming increasing popular. If a non-traditional or religious commemoration is desired, then, this will take a form desired by the deceased. In most Western European countries, there are direct links between the coffin manufacturers and the funeral directors.
Russia
The Orthodox faith is one of the most ritualised in the world, and this reflected in the funeral rites displayed by the faith. There are usually three services carried out in order of the vigil, the triaging (or primary service) and the Divine Liturgy. The vigil precedes the triaging and occurs the night before; it consists of prayers for the departed which ensure the soul of the deceased is pain and trauma free. In the triaging, the body is presented before the congregation and each person present has the right to come and say their personal goodbye. The Divine Liturgy is read by the priest as the casket is buried. It is not uncommon for additional services to be held on subsequent days after this final service.
It is clear that different cultures and nations have different manners by which they mark the passing of a loved one. No matter what actually happens the ceremony is designed to enable mourners to pay their last respects to the deceased person
http://www.jcwalwyn.co.uk/
Mexico
Mexico is an overwhelmingly Catholic country, and so funeral rites follow the established pattern of the Roman Catholic Church. Flowers are sent as a mark of respect to the person who has died, to the family of the deceased and / or to the funeral home. The deceased is placed in an open casket which presents his or her face to mourners enabling them to pay their last respects at the funeral service. Mexican funerals are generally acknowledged to be the most florally decorated in the world with flowers such as white mums and palm fronds being particularly popular. In contrast to traditional services held in Europe, refreshments (usually tea) are available during the service. In addition, the burial itself does not generally happen until the next day because the family will stay with the dead person overnight to say their final goodbyes in absolute privacy.
Western Europe
In most West European countries, there are very strict legal frameworks which must be followed. The reasons range from the health and safety of those handling the corpse to the timescale required to notify the relevant authorities that the death has occurred. In most cases, the notification of death must occur, and the body must be buried or cremated within a set time limit. In the UK the maximum time allowed for notification is five days (although 24hours is the norm), for funerals there is no definite time limit and often the circumstances of the death will be a determining factor. A religious ceremony involves eulogy, hymns, reading from the scriptures and an immediate burial. On this last point, it is important to remember that for a series of inter-related reasons steeped in practicality and changed preferences that cremation is becoming increasing popular. If a non-traditional or religious commemoration is desired, then, this will take a form desired by the deceased. In most Western European countries, there are direct links between the coffin manufacturers and the funeral directors.
Russia
The Orthodox faith is one of the most ritualised in the world, and this reflected in the funeral rites displayed by the faith. There are usually three services carried out in order of the vigil, the triaging (or primary service) and the Divine Liturgy. The vigil precedes the triaging and occurs the night before; it consists of prayers for the departed which ensure the soul of the deceased is pain and trauma free. In the triaging, the body is presented before the congregation and each person present has the right to come and say their personal goodbye. The Divine Liturgy is read by the priest as the casket is buried. It is not uncommon for additional services to be held on subsequent days after this final service.
It is clear that different cultures and nations have different manners by which they mark the passing of a loved one. No matter what actually happens the ceremony is designed to enable mourners to pay their last respects to the deceased person
http://www.jcwalwyn.co.uk/