HW 55 - Culminating Project - Care of the Dead

How do different religions have an affect on the rituals we perform when caring for the dead and how are they similar or different to each other?

Religion like other forms of guidance is a way to direct your life, but what happens when your life ends; how does religion play a role in the way you are cared for when you die? In Islam the rituals preformed are very similar to that of the dominant social practices, in Christianity the Church of England and the Catholic Church have views that are similar to Islam, in which they bury their dead using religious rituals, and in Judaism there is a ritualistic process in which the family prepares the dead for their funeral. They all have common themes when it comes to what type of ritualistic process they undergo when caring for their dead and all seem to incorporate their own specific beliefs, but then why do three different religions with three different beliefs have such similar practices.     

In Islam rituals are preformed which seem similar to that of the dominant social practice. The loved ones bury the body in a cemetery with others (friends and distant family) attending a ceremony. It is traditionally considered haram (not permissible) to leave the deceased with a Qur’an or any sort of other materials as it is considered a waste of money because of the fact that it benefits nobody and throwing dirt on objects like the Qur’an (as you would do when burying a body) is a definite no, it is considered a large insult to Allah. Death, according to the Qur'an, is not the end of man's life; it only opens the door to another, a higher form of life: " We have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome, that We may change your state and make you grow into what you know not." Qur'an 56: 60 - 61. Interviewing an imam, I discovered that although caring for the dead is basically the same as the dominant social practice. The ritual of caring for the dead is much different simply because of the religious aspect. A big aspect of this ritual is this idea of paradise (heaven) vs. hell. According to the imam, the point of life is to do enough good to reach paradise in the after-life. He specifically said that "Those who are blessed with nearness (to AlProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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h) in gardens of bliss.  They will be sitting on thrones woven with gold reclining on them facing each other.  They will be served in rounds by Immortal boys with bowls and jugs and a goblet of pure wine.  Which will neither cause them to suffer headache, nor will they be intoxicated.  They will be given fruits of their choice and the meat of birds that they desire.  And for them there will be women having lovely big eyes all neat and clean like a hidden pearl as a reward for what they used to do (from good) in their worldly life." he clearly says that you will be rewarded for doing well in your worldly life and that if you don't you will be sent to hell. Learning about the Islamic perspective on care of the dead I realized that it is what people would consider a "normal funeral". 

An Islamic Funeral usually follows this format: First, Washing the body- A male's body is to be washed by a male. A female's body should be washed by a female. A minor's body can be washed by either a man or a woman A husband can wash his wife's body and vice versa. To wash the body you must place the body on the washing table. Keeping the sexual organs of the body covered. Gently but firmly press the stomach and clean out by a towel or cloth any excertions that may have resulted by stomach pressing. The body is now ready for washing. Body should be washed with your hands or a piece of clean cloth. Use clean and warm water to wash the body. The body is to be washed three times, five times or seven times-always an odd number of times. For each washing, first place the body on its left and wash the right side using warm water and soap. Then reverse and do the other side. Male's hair should be unbraided, washed and combed. Female's hair should be gathered into two braids, with loose hair at end of each braid (kind of reminds me of how my sister would braid her hair when she was younger, reminds me of innocence). Now perform wudu (abultion) for the body. Second, there is Wrapping the body (kafan): For men, three pieces of clean, cotton preferably white cloth should be used. Each piece of cloth should be large enough to cover the entire body. For women five pieces of cloth are used. Apply non-alcoholic perfume to the kafan. Use a piece of cloth and tie the top and bottom.  Third, is the Janazah prayer which is said standing only. Like any other prayer, this prayer is offered facing Qibla. Form at least three rows where the body of the deceased should be kept in front of the Imam. The Imam stands approximately by the center of the body if the deceased is a male, and by the shoulder if the deceased is a female. Fourth, is the funeral: When not carrying the casket, one should walk in front or beside it. One should either be silent or still praying or doing Zikr; recite Surah Fatiha and Surah Ikhlas. No music or outburst of emotion is allowed. When you enter the cemetery, you should recite: “Assalam alaikum yaa ahlil kuboor” (Peace be upon you O people of the graves). Fifth (and last) is Burial: A grave should consist of two parts. Lower part is smaller than the upper part. Both parts of the grave, should however, be spacious and uniformly excavated and dug to a depth of at least five feet. The body of the deceased should be slowly and gently put on the ground of the lower part of the grave. The face of the deceased should be toward the qibla. The deceased's head should be raised a little from the ground by using a hard object like stone or a brick or hard soil, but under no conditions any foreign object including a pillow should be put in the grave. Now make a roof on the lower part of the grave by using a large stone or laying bricks side by side or a very hard wood slab. Everyone accompanying the Janazah should pour three handful of soil on the roof of the grave. The remaining part of the grave should then be filled up with soil. Again all present should contribute at least three handful of soil to finally complete the grave. The grave can be raised above the ground so that it is not more than a foot above it. 

In Christianity it is believed that when someone dies, they are judged by god. The righteous go to Heaven and the sinners go to Hell. Christians believe that Hell is the absence of gods love. In the Bible it says “ They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified by his saints.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (“they” meaning the sinners). When a Christian dies, it is the end of their life on earth. If someone is on their deathbed, a minister will prepare them for death (usually after a long period of illness). When the minister is in the room prayers of preparation and reconciliation are said. Family and friends can participate in the Prayer. The funeral is held about a week after death. It can either take place in a church or at a crematorium. This rituals usually takes this form: First, The Gathering: the priest will open the service with this reading from the scriptures: “I am the resurrection and the life,' saith the Lord; 'he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. I know that my Redeemer liveth...” Book of Common Prayer 1979. Second, Readings and sermon: a section of the Bible is read out. It is often Psalm (A sacred song or hymn, in particular any of those contained in the biblical Book of Psalms and used in Christian and Jewish worship) 23, 'The Lord is my Shepherd'. Third, Personal readings: The priest will talk about the person who has died, reflecting on the person's life and their role in the Christian church. A family member or friend may wish to read out a poem or a passage from the Bible (similar to that in a wedding). Fourth, Prayers: prayers of thanksgiving, penitence and readiness for death are said, which is the congregation’s way of saying good-bye almost. Fifth, Reflection: Silent time for reflection. The congregation is given a minute to reflect on the deceased. Sixth, Commendation and farewell: The priest speaks these words: "Let us commend (insert name here) to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer." The priest then reads a prayer of entrusting and commending. And seventh, the committal: this is probably the most formal and serious section of the service. At a burial, this is when the coffin is lowered into the grave. At a cremation, the curtains are closed around the coffin. A common phrase that is said is, "We therefore commit their body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life."

In the Catholic Church the rituals are slightly different. The Catholic Church defines a funeral as “A liturgical celebration of the Church. The ministry of the Church in this instance aims at expressing efficacious communion with the deceased, at the participation in that communion of the community gathered for the funeral, and at the proclamation of eternal life to the community.” Catholics believe in Heaven and Hell, but also in Purgatory. This is a place for those who have died in a 'state of grace' (that is, they have committed 'venial' or forgivable sins) and may not go straight to Heaven. Catholic funerals usually follow this form: First, The Vigil for the Deceased: this is a service of prayers before the day of the funeral. , songs and homilies either at the home of the deceased or in church. Second, Introductory rites: the priest greets the congregation and says: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." He leads the coffin and congregation down the church aisle. Holy water is sprinkled and there is an opening song and prayer. Third, Liturgy of the Word: sermons from the Bible are read out, as well as a homily (a practical rather than theological sermon) and a Psalm. Fourth, Liturgy of the Eucharist: Gifts are prepared, a Eucharist prayer is said and Holy Communion is received. Fifth, Final commendation: Mass ends, prayers are said and the coffin is taken out of the church. And Sixth, Rite of Committal: prayers are said by the final resting place (at the graveside for burial and before the curtains close for cremation).

In Judaism the family of the deceased should consult a Rabbi when death occurs. Judaism requires that burial take place as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of death (can be delayed if necessary) and is considered inappropriate to make arrangements on Shabbat itself. Attending to the body it is required that the deceased not be left alone prior to burial. It is preferable that shomrim (guardian) be members of the family, friends of the deceased, or members of the congregation. Tehillim (Psalms) are recited by the shomrim. Before burial organ donation is encouraged, as it is a way to respect the dead by providing for the living, embalming (and the use of cosmetics) however is not permitted. Taharah also known as ritual cleansing is required as an expression of respect and should be done by a Hevra Kadish (holy society) or a Jewish funeral director. It is also required that the dead where a white shroud to represent equality in everyone, and the casket should be made entirely of wood so not to disturbed the process of becoming part of the earth once again. A traditional Jewish funeral usually follows this form: First, Services - Funeral services may be held in the synagogue, in a funeral home, or at the gravesite. The funeral service is usually brief and simple. It usually includes the chanting of psalms and Eyl Malei Rahamim (the traditional memorial prayer), and a hesped (eulogy) honoring the deceased. Often the Cantor chants the psalms and Eyl Malei Rahamim.  Second, The Viewing which done either publicly or privately is contrary to Jewish tradition. Third, at a funeral, the casket may be covered with a specially prepared cloth, called a pall, and is borne from the funeral service to the gravesite by family or friends (pallbearers) selected by the mourners. Fourth, The pallbearers customarily stop seven times while carrying the casket to the grave. The mourners, family and friends follow the casket as a mark of respect. Fifth, in traditional practice, the casket is lowered into the earth and the grave filled, using a reversed shovel until a mound is formed over the casket. The Kaddish is recited at the grave after k'vurah is completed. There are different customs or variations and the Rabbi should be consulted. And sixth, it is customary for the mourners to pass between two rows of people in attendance to receive traditional expressions of consolation. After burial, washing one’s hands when leaving the cemetery or before entering the house of mourning is also traditional.

All of these Religions bare a striking resemblance to each other and to what we think of as the dominant social practice. They all basically follow the same format when it comes to ritualistically caring for their dead. Although they may have different beliefs and social customs they seem to have very similar rituals when it comes to caring for their dead. All of these religions have some way of preparing their dead whether it is putting a shroud over the casket or praying before they are lowered into the ground and although these preparations are different they seem to be for the same purpose which is a basic burial of the dead body and also have a this idea of allowing the dead body to become part of the earth again. Reviewing this I realized that they all have something else in common which is the emphasis they put on the way the loved ones of the dead person should act before (preparation), during (the ritual) and after (mourning) the funeral which begs the question why is the physical aspect of the dead body so important, don’t we have these rituals set up so that we can get rid of the physical and move towards the spiritual?

Bibliography
•    "BBC Religions." BBC. BBC, 6-23-2009. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/ritesrituals/funerals.shtml>.
•    "Guide to Jewish Funeral Practice." USCJ.org. nited Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.uscj.org/guide_to_jewish_fune6211.html>.
•    "A Guide for the Muslim Funeral." ISNA.net. Islamic Society of North America, n.d. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.isna.net/Services/pages/A-Guide-for-the-Muslim-Funeral.aspx>.
•    "Question and answers on Burial and Funeral." ISNA.net. Islamic Society of North America, n.d. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.isna.net/Services/pages/FAQ-on-Burial-and-Funeral.aspx>.