Death Across Cultures and What We Can Learn from Them

This article explores how cultures across the globe perceive and cope with death, offering insights into the diversity of beliefs and practices. By selecting six culturally diverse groups based on geography and religion, we examine the unique ways communities interpret death and work it into their traditions. The article also delves into therapeutic approaches tailored to these cultural contexts, shedding light on how individuals and societies process grief and loss. In conclusion, we discuss how death can be viewed as something more meaningful, offering opportunities for personal growth, reflection, and appreciation of life itself.

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Mexican Culture

A day called the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated across the country on 2^nd November each year. Mexicans believe that the spirits return to visit their families during this time. To welcome the dead, Altars are decorated with fragrant flowers (specifically marigolds) and scattered to form paths, candles and food. A sense of humour is induced through the celebrations, which is evident in the use of skulls and skeletons for the decoration of the festivities. While Mexicans celebrate death with colour and laughter, other cultures may take a more spiritual or sombre approach, like in Hinduism.

Hinduism

Hindus believe that death is not the end of life but rather the migration of the soul to another body. Also known as reincarnation, the concept entails that good karma leads to a better rebirth whereas bad karma will result in suffering. The body is seen as a temporary vessel for the soul which will keep travelling. Bodies are burned on a wooden pyre to purify them and to release the soul for its next journey. It is believed that the ultimate goal of life is to attain Moksha (liberation) from the cycle of birth and rebirth and unite with the divine.

Read More: The Psychology and Philosophy of Karma: More Than Just Cosmic Justice

Christianity

The dead are either united with God in heaven or separated in hell. The place where one ends up is decided based on his faith and actions during his life on Earth. Christians believe that by having faith in Christ and living according to his teachings, they will be reunited with God after death. Prayers, hymns, and Bible readings are frequently used during funerals to highlight comfort, hope, and the promise of eternal life that Christ made. The phrase ‘Rest in Peace’, reflects that the soul is now at peace in the presence of God.

Islam

Similar to Christianity, souls are judged based on their deeds. They are then either sent to Jannat (heaven) or Jahannam (hell). Muslims believe that life and death are a part of Allah’s will. The phrase Inshallah (god’s will) brings comfort to many as they believe that it is all a part of god’s plan. The bodies are buried and there is a 40-day mourning period which includes prayers, acts of charity and reflection. The focus is on asking for forgiveness for the deceased and helping their soul find peace.

Read More: Psychology of Spiritual Awakening: Transforming Self and Society

Hawaiian Culture

Death is seen as a transition where the soul leaves the body and continues to exist in the spiritual world. Bodies are washed with salt water (acts as a preservative) which allows them to be at home for 2-3 days. At funerals, the quote a hui hou is said which translates to ‘until we meet again’ which maintains a feeling of hope among the family members.

Japanese Culture

The living and the dead are not considered separate. On the contrary, people believe that they retain their relationship with a person even after they have died. Shikata ga nai, which translates to “it cannot be helped,” is a phrase used during funerals to accept these challenging circumstances. On a side note, it is believed that in the afterlife, the deceased will have a difficult time due to missing body parts. Hence, organ donation rates are low in Japan.

There are a few common themes among these cultures

• Death is not seen as an end but rather a transition to something else.
• People want to keep a connection with their loved ones even after death
• Different kinds of rituals and mourning are present to cope with the situation

We don’t know what happens after death. And when humans are faced with uncertainty, we try to fit that gap with ours. In the case of death, most cultures assume that there must be an afterlife. Now, if we were to look at this from a completely rational perspective, it would sound pretty far-fetched. However, we must understand that these rituals, traditions and beliefs have helped people cope with the loss of their loved ones throughout history.

In a therapeutic Setting

Counsellors can better serve clients from diverse origins if they have an understanding of how other cultures view and handle death. Counselling that is tailored to honour and include cultural values can speed up the healing process and provide patients with new skills for dealing with bereavement and existential fear.

1. Existential Therapy

Acknowledging these beliefs can help clients deal with grief and sadness. Frameworks like Existential Therapy can be used to help them explore their life’s meaning and the concept of death along with it. For example, a client from a Hindu background might find comfort in discussing the concept of reincarnation and karma. The therapist can then work with them to explore how their life actions contribute to their spiritual journey. A space can be created for them to explore their philosophical questions about existence.

Read More: The psychological & physiological health benefits of spiritual practices

2. Narrative Therapy

Most people believe that there is a spiritual journey after death. A discussion with them regarding this can help to keep them at ease. Narrative therapy can be used where we can ask the person about their views and knowledge on the afterlife. This will make them feel culturally grounded and provide them with an outlet for their grief. When assisting a Christian client, we can enquire as to how their hope during this trying time is derived from their faith in Christ’s resurrection. This helps individuals discuss how the idea of eternal life relates to them personally and how it gives them comfort.

3. Rituals and Community

We can encourage people to participate in cultural traditions during funerals. It will provide them with a sense of community and belonging. For an average person, grieving without a shoulder to cry on can be challenging. Funerals are a time when families come together. A person mustn’t isolate themselves during this period. A Mexican client can be encouraged to engage in activities such as making altars (ofrendas) or telling tales of their departed loved ones. These customs, which include erecting altars with candles, marigolds, and cherished foods, let the bereaved sense the presence of their loved ones and see death as a reunion rather than a terrifying event.

Read More: What is Existentialism?

How Death Can Be Meaningful

A person is valued the least when he is alive and valued the most once, he departs. It is common to place flowers in a deceased’s portrait. However, it would be difficult to find a home where the elderly are blessed with flowers while they are alive. Maybe we truly value people when we don’t have them anymore. We tend not to appreciate things while we have them.

Another interesting observation we can make around us is that death is hidden in our societies. We place cremation grounds far away from the city when in fact they should be built right in the centre. It would be nice to take a look at bodies getting buried or being burned as we commute to our daily work. It will serve as a reminder that one day, we will be the ones placed over there.

The way we live our lives, it seems that we are immortals. In the chaos, that is life, we may have forgotten the fact that each and everything is trivial. We all are somewhere stricken with a disease called ‘seriousness’. It’s ironical. Let’s say we go to a movie theatre. We like the movie. We cry a little. We laugh. In the end, when the curtains are pulled down and the screen says, ‘The End’, we don’t get sad over the fact that the movie is now over. We feel relieved to have experienced it in the first place. It seems that it is difficult to do the same for our lives even though this is a big movie in itself.

Viktor Frankl, the founder of Logotherapy and a holocaust survivor, said it the best, “In some respects, it is death itself that makes life meaningful. Most importantly, the transitoriness of life cannot destroy its meaning because nothing from the past is irretrievably lost. Whatever we have done, or created, whatever we have learned and experienced—all of this we have delivered into the past. There is no one and nothing that can undo it.”