Cultural psychology:

Death and dying in cross-culture perspective

Psy-430-502

Hedaya Almaazmi

201900452
Introduction:

Although the rituals, customs, and actions associated with mourning can vary from one culture to

the next, the universal experience of loss is universally shared. In this study, I will examine

various views concerning health phenomena and find cross-cultural perspectives on death and

dying. In addition, I'll be able to point out various cultural travelling ceremonies and evaluate

how they affect the grief process and coping strategies. Death occurs in every culture, yet people

react to it in very different ways. There is a wide variety of rituals, demons, and mourning

customs associated with the dying process in various cultures, all of which attempt to make sense

of the universal mystery of death. Cultural differences in mourning and funeral rites are often

tied to religious traditions and beliefs. In general, people view death within the context of their

religious beliefs, and they frequently contextualize their own experiences with death in terms of

cultural norms and traditions.

Literature Review/BODY:

How long we mourn, what we do to show our sorrow, and even how much we cry at funerals are

all influenced by our cultural backgrounds. Since the unknown nature of death is commonly

linked to feelings of dread and worry, the idea of an eternal sleep is generally associated with a

sense of security and solace that men are uniquely equipped to provide. According to research on

death in Latin American culture (Lobar, youngblut, & brooteen, 2006), Catholicism has a

significant role in shaping Latin American funeral rites by emphasizing the value of maintaining

a spiritual bond with the dead. The majority of Hispanics do not shun death because many of

them view it as a passage. Prayer, listening to a dying person's confession, receiving communion,

and being blessed are all integral parts of the religious rituals surrounding the dying process.
Because of the cultural stigma attached to letting individuals die alone, continuous support

during the dying and grief process is a must. Most people in Latin American cultures place a

premium on loyalty to the sick and dying and the care they get on their final journey.

Thus, the care that a Hispanic family gives to a dying individual is an indication that the

Hispanic notion of death is tightly linked to family obligations. In the aftermath of a death, many

families choose to pray and vigil over the body as it is prepared for burial. A wake is a gathering

conducted before a funeral where friends and family of the deceased can share food and drink

and remember the deceased person. The decor at a wake or funeral is not complete without

candles and lowers. The wake is followed by the funeral, where people can say their final

goodbyes to the deceased. At funerals, it is common for Latina women to cry loudly and use

their boy language freely, both of which are essential cultural norms that reflect the importance

of expressing sadness and other strong emotions in Latino societies. As an act of respect and as a

farewell present from loved ones, it is common practice to place mementos of the deceased

inside the casket with them as they make their trip to the afterlife (Labor, youngbult & broken,

2006). The majority of Hispanics are opposed to cremation for religious and cultural reasons that

place a premium on burying a body in the ground. The widespread belief among Hispanics in the

resurrection of the dead has a profound impact on how they choose to honor the deceased. For

comfort and so that they can rise again together, it is essential for Hispanics to be buried close to

their relatives (Labor, youngbult & broken, 2006). Visits to cemeteries and prayers to the

afterlife are signs of the Latino culture's emphasis on a spiritual connection with the deceased.

On the other hand, African funeral rituals show a deep respect for the dead and the belief that

only a proper send-off will bring them peace. Africans have a profound respect for the afterlife,
and the primary purpose of funeral rites is to communicate with the deceased's soul. The first

step of an African funeral is to remove the body from the home, usually through a hole cut in the

wall. A hole is cut in the wall of the house, and the corpse is removed through it. The African

custom of removing a body through a wall hole rather than a door is said to confuse the spirit of

the deceased and ensure that they will not return home. They lay thorns and sticks in a zigzag

fashion along the path the body will walk to the cemetery in an attempt to further perplex any

lingering spirits (Blackly et al, 1994). Many African families pray to spirits, imploring them not

to return and cause trouble, because according to African religion, life does not end with death

and people tend to trust in the power of the dead. Many people believe that death is the first step

toward mingling with the spiritual and supernatural realms. Some cultures have rituals involving

the cleaning and preparation of the deceased's home before the funeral, such as smearing

windows with ashes and turning pictures and other reflective things face down. Therefore, it is

common practice for mourning ladies to sit on the floor or a mattress in the deceased's bedroom.

In African belief, the afterlife can reappear to cause trouble for the living if the deceased is not

given a proper burial. Preparing a funeral can take anywhere from seven to thirteen days, giving

people of the community ample time to pay their respects (Mbiti, 1969). People think that evil

spirits are more likely to be asleep in the morning, hence funerals typically start before the sun

rises. African funerals, it is claimed by (Blackly et al, 1994), are a time for both mourning the

dead and celebrating the living. For both symbolic and practical reasons, such as feeding

mourners, it is traditional to sacrifice an animal at a funeral. It is common practice in many

societies to prohibit women and single people from attending funerals and to forbid even the

closest of relatives from participating in the funeral service vocally.

Research gap:

Nonetheless, there is a dearth of study devoted to the topic of funerals in the UAE. Despite the

fact that the Arab community also observes similar funerals, preparations, and events, not

enough is known about them. a lack of study is a problem not only for the Arab community but

for Islam as a whole.

Discussion:

According to (Wafa Issa, 2019), Islamic traditions are used for burial and funerals in the UAE.

When someone dies in Islam, they are to be buried as quickly as possible, ideally the same day.

The Hadith, or teaching of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), which serves as the basis for this

practice, states, "To honour the dead is to bury them." A Muslim's complete body must be

cleansed with water and scrubbed with 'kafour' (Camphor) and 'Sidr' after he dies, as required by

Sharia (Islamic law). After the body has been washed and dried, it is perfumed with 'Oud' and

Rose, and then wrapped in crisp white sheets (called Kafan.) The men offer a 'prayer on the

deceased' in the mosque before carrying the body on their shoulders to the cemetery, where it is

buried in a pit slanted to the right and covered with a layer of strips or rock tiles and soil.

According to (Saeed, 2021), As a researcher he attended a funeral in the United Arab Emirates,

he learned that once the deceased was buried, something called azza had to be performed.

Members of the extended family or close acquaintances will take turns hosting guests each

evening. Snacks and sometimes full meals are served at some events. Condolences will be

expressed and time spent visiting with the bereaved will be spent on one of the nights. All

interactions are tactful, and the deceased is spoken about only in glowing terms. As you enter the
mosque, male mourners are expected to loudly proclaim "salamu alaikum" (Arabic for "may

peace be with you") to welcome others within. That way, everyone can put down what they're

doing to greet the newcomer. The next step is to go around the majlis and shake hands with

everyone there. You say "may Allah multiply your reward" (azam Allah ajrak) to the grieving

family members you come across before sitting down. Attending the azza is more than just a

religious obligation and social norm; it is also a profoundly meaningful experience. Attending a

stranger's wake can be seen as ghoulish or disrespectful in certain cultures, but in Islam it is a

way to show support for the grieving family and to establish bonds of family, kinship, and

community.

Conclusion:

Thoughts and emotions on the inside are shared by all humans, how we exhibit them on the

outside might vary greatly. Our cultural and religious backgrounds provide us with valuable

options for coping and adaptation. Hope, reduced grief, and a more robust capacity for

adaptation to change are all benefits of religious belief in afterlife, which is shared by Christians,

Muslims, and members of many other faiths. Having a strong network of loved ones there for

you at this difficult time can be a tremendous comfort to you and your loved ones. Therefore,

string community involvement is quite helpful during mourning, as it takes care of financial

challenges and offers psychological support. Traditional mourning rituals from throughout the

world allow individuals to express their emotions in a way that is meaningful to them. Almost all

funerals have a heavy emphasis on family, with the goals of uniting everyone who mourns the

deceased, honoring the deceased's life, and laying the groundwork for a healthy grieving process.

In many cultures, death and dying are not spoken of openly, whereas in others it is a central topic
of discussion. However, funerals represent a final expression of love, respect, devotion, and

family gathering for many cultures and religious groups.

Reference:

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and Future Research Opportunities. Historical Archaeology, 38(1), 10-17.

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Mbiti, J. S. (1969). African Religions and Philosophy (pp. 108-109). Nairobi: East African

Educational Publishers Ltd.

Saeed, S. (2021, July 05). Inside an Emirati wake: The community focused ritual of an Islamic

funeral. Retrieved November 5, 2022, from https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-

culture/comment/inside-an-emirati-wake-the-community-focused-ritual-of-an-islamic-

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