NAME ________________________________________________
Death and Mourning: Traditions from Around the World
How similar are these cross-cultural traditions to your own personal values
and family practices around death and mourning? How are they similar or
different?
1. Hiawatha Native Americans: We try to be there when the death occurs - death is part of
the journey of life and we are there to help the person along the way.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Roma cultures believe that spirits surround us all of the time. These must all be carefully
guarded against, or combated by the use of spells and charms. Death is a senseless,
unnatural occurrence that should anger those who die.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Most of the time Quaker funerals are not lead by a minister. Usually a loved one will
introduce a memory or thought about a person who died followed by other people who
share their memories.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Vietnamese Buddhist Community: As a person is dying we chant in permanency of the
life. We want to make the person happy before they die, and we want to make the family
understand that death is a part of our life.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Ethiopian Orthodox Christian: For a deceased person from this community, it is better
for the body to be cleaned and dressed by a person of the same-sex as a way to show
respect.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Ghana funerals are profoundly important rituals—creative, colorful affairs that affirm
the continent's most powerful traditions and beliefs.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Tibet's 'sky burial' involves leaving the body on a mountain so it can be eating by
vultures, returning it to nature. When the body dies, the spirit leaves, so there is no need to
keep the body.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Some Roma cultures are concerned not only with the pain and heartbreak of the final
separation from a loved one. They are also worried about the possible revenge the dead
might seek against those who remain in the world of the living.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Vietnamese Buddhist Community: Some people believe that within the body the brain
may die but the heart is still working a little bit. This makes the last minutes of life a very
important time for the person to settle down, to get ready for rebirth.
Very Similar
Somewhat Similar
Somewhat Different
Very Different
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
NAME ____________________________________________
Writing An Obituary
Many people find the thought of their own death very frightening. As a result,
the majority of people try to avoid thinking about the possibility of their
death. Every person must eventually die. To avoid ever thinking about your
own death is to avoid facing an event that ultimately must happen.
Write your own obituary following the guidelines given below, or be creative
in your approach and write something by which you will truly be
remembered. Read at least two different obituaries from the newspaper.
On a separate sheet of paper, write an obituary about your death. You may
write it as if it will happen now or in the future. Use the following format.
The assignment must be typed or neatly written.
(20 pt. rubric used for grading)
(Name) , age __________, of _______(home address)_____, died yesterday from
__________________________________________________________________________________________
He/she is survived by ________________________________________________________________
He/she was predeceased by _________________________________________________________
At the time of death, he/she was working on becoming __________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
He/she made contributions in the area of __________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
He/she will be honored for __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
He/she always hoped to _____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The body will be ______________________________________________________________________
Contributions may be made to ______________________________________________________
Final analysis: (2 pts. Each)
1. Was this an easy assignment? Why or why not?
2. What did you learn from this experience?
NAME ______________________________________________
COST OF A FUNERAL
Estimate your costs
Funeral costs
Casket
Facilities and vehicle
Professional services
Preparation of the body (embalming)
Total funeral costs
Burial costs
Grave plot or crypt
Memorial or marker
Opening and closing the grave
Perpetual care
Vault or grave liner
The hearse to carry the body
Total burial costs
Additional expenses (not covered by funeral home contract)
Flowers
Special services (night and day viewing)
Special requests (Church service)
Person officiating the service
Musicians’ fees
Obituary (if placed by you)
Perpetual care costs
Memorial cards
Thank you cards
Death certificates
Total additional expenses
Additonal or Hidden Costs (Find 5)
Total additional expenses
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS
What did you learn from this exercise?
Notes
Cremation VS Funeral Expenses
What is the average cost of cremation?
List costs associated with cremation, ex (the urn, the service)