COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE ACTION: FUNERALS AND COFFINS

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Funeral traditions and practices vary widely across different cultures and religions. There is a need to understand the importance of respecting these varied traditions to honour the deceased and provide comfort to grieving families.

Christian Traditions
As one of the dominant religions in Australia, Christian funeral traditions are very common.Services usually involve an opportunity for family and friends to pay their respects to the deceased, with the body presented respectfully in an open or closed casket. This is followed by prayers, scripture readings or a sermon led by a clergy member from the deceased’s church or faith community. There is also usually a celebration of the deceased person’s life, including reflections on their character and achievements from loved ones.

Burial rituals like committing the body to the ground by lowering the casket into the grave are also significant, as it allows family and friends a chance to say a final goodbye. Christian ceremonies are held respectfully according to the specific denominational practices of faiths such as Catholicism, Anglicanism, or other Protestant traditions. This includes facilitating rituals such as sprinkling holy water on the casket for Catholics or the formal committal prayer for Anglicans. By understanding the nuances of different Christian denominations, the aim is to honour the deceased’s faith and customs during what can be a difficult time for loved ones.

Jewish Traditions
Traditions surrounding death in the Jewish faith place great importance on a swift, timely burial, usually to be carried out within 24 hours of passing. This emphasis comes from the Jewish belief that the soul must make a swift departure from the physical body. As such, the body is never left unattended from the time of death until burial. Cremation is typically not practised either, and if required, ashes are never scattered or kept at home after cremation but rather interred.

There is a need to deeply understand and respect these important Jewish customs. Likewise there is a need to work diligently to facilitate burial within a 24-hour timeframe, ensuring the utmost respect and care for the deceased. All involved need specialised training on the proper handling and preparation of the body according to Jewish law, which includes a respectful washing and then shrouding entirely in a plain white cloth before placement in a basic, untreated pine casket. Families need to be able to trust that all Jewish tradition arrangements with sensitivity and respect during this difficult time.

Muslim Traditions
In the Islamic faith, burial of the deceased is to occur as swiftly as possible once life has passed, ideally taking place before sunset on the day of death. This swift burial requirement stems from the Muslim belief in the preservation of the body and the final resurrection. As such, cremation is strictly forbidden. The body also must be washed and shrouded completely in a plain white cloth by members of the same gender, as an act of purification and respect.

There is a need to make every effort to thoughtfully honour these important Muslim funeral rites and traditions. Likewise, peope specially trained to work with the deceased’s family and manage the entire process according to their wishes and cultural practices. This includes performing the ritual washing, then securely shrouding the body prior to a timely transferral to a Muslim cemetery burial area. There isv a need to ensure burial is in a simple grave facing Mecca, as required. Through open communication with Muslim community leaders and knowledgeable staff, it is possible to sensitively guide families through these important religious customs.

Buddhist Traditions
In Buddhist philosophy, funeral traditions aim to aid in releasing attachment to this current life. For adherents of this faith, death marks the transition to the next stage of an endless cycle of rebirth. As such, funeral rites emphasise meditations and rituals that help ease this transition for both the deceased and mourners. Cremation, not burial, is typically the standard and preferred practice.

There is a neede to deeply respect these Buddhist practices. Likewise guidance from local monks and community leaders, os needed to conduct respectful ceremonies that allow time for family and clergy to make meaningful offerings and recite scriptures, sutras, or chants around the deceased. This important time of prayer and contemplation helps to purge memories from this life. Once complete, there is a need to carefully facilitate cremation of the body according to Buddhist doctrine. Our team understands the cultural and spiritual significance of cremation in the Buddhist faith tradition. Families need to feel assured that their loved one, and key funeral customs, are observed with the utmost dignity and respect.

Indigenous Australian Traditions
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have their own distinct cultural practices and ceremonies surrounding death that play an important role in healing for families and communities. In these traditions, there is typically a wake held near the body of the deceased where storytelling, dance, song, and other performance arts take place to honour their life. Painting the body with natural ochre dyes before burial is also common. Sacred belongings, tools, and art may be placed in the grave to accompany the deceased on their next journey.