Does Culture Dictate the Grieving Process

Grieving and mourning is complete when you canbody deteriorates, they gain a higher consciousness
move past the sorrow and observe death as anthen karma determines the deceased's future life.
inherent element of life. We never totally move pastThe length of the mourning period depends on the
the sorrow of death, therefore we never totallystrength of the relationship between the family and
stop grieving and mourning the loss of a loved one.the deceased. The Buddhist observance of death is
However, celebrating life can be jubilant, and at theminimal, much the same way they live their lives.
same time, healing to the soul. There are many waysThe Mexican heritages cherish their deceased and
to celebrate and honor the life of a deceased.celebrate Day of the Dead. Death was considered
Furthermore, different cultures celebrate the life of,passage to a new life, so it was celebrated. The
grieve the loss of and mourn for those they've loveddeceased is buried with many personal objects that
in different ways, according to the culture's rituals,would be needed in their new life. The Day of the
customs, beliefs, values and traditions. Some culturesDead celebration is held Every November 1st. Families
view death as part of the normal cycle of life,save their money to purchase special gifts the
whereas some cultures celebrate the life of thedeceased's family member would have enjoyed. The
deceased and some fear death.celebrations and picnics are held in graveyards or
People of the Jewish culture view death as anwherever their loved ones are buried.
inevitable part of life. A dignified, reverence isEvery culture has their own particular way of
bestowed upon the deceased to emulate the sameexplaining the purpose of life and what a person
respect they had been given in life. Jewish funeralsshould expect after they die. Based on a culture's
and burials are very private and simple, and thebeliefs, the people within a culture developed
mourning period kept very personal with thecustoms and rituals to either celebrate the life of the
exception of an outward display of grief, typicallydeceased or to aid and comfort the people within
indicated by wearing a special ribbon. After thethe culture during the grieving and mourning process.
funeral and burial, Shiva continues for several days atAlthough the rituals and customs offer structure and
the home of the deceased. The deceased is honoreddirection while the group within the culture copes
during Shiva while the family refrains from manywith the loss of a loved one, we must always
everyday activities.remember, each individual within a culture grieves and
Buddhists believe there is no need to fear death.mourns differently in unpredictable and very personal
Death is merely a part of the cycle of life. It isways.
believed when a person is dying, as their mind and