How they are buried in the USA: embalming and a prepaid ceremony
'19.08.2020'
Source: Amelife.com
Americans buy a place in the cemetery in advance, plan a farewell ceremony, draw up a will, where they detail wishes regarding the burial procedure, Yulia Shilnikova writes in her column for Amelife.com.
Each culture differs from another in the traditions of organizing and conducting funerals, which are customary to observe. In the United States, funerals are somewhat different from those in Russia - I suggest you look at this mourning event from a cultural point of view.
A very widespread tradition among Americans is not only to choose a land plot in the cemetery in advance and buy it, but also to fully pay the funeral home for their funeral, the entire "entertainment" program, all expenses.
It should be noted that the funeral in the United States can be divided into three parts - the farewell ("viewing"), the funeral and commemoration.
Parting
The body of the deceased is embalmed and placed in a coffin in the funeral hall for one or two days. Farewells can take place at a funeral home, at a church, or at the deceased's home. During this time, the deceased may be visited by his family and friends and, in fact, said goodbye to him. The farewell ends with a prayer.
The hall is usually decorated with fresh flowers (most often roses), the deceased is dressed in new clothes, and this is not necessarily a classic formal suit - recently there has been a wide range in the choice of clothes for the deceased. It is also gaining popularity to put on the deceased his favorite jewelry or watches.
On the subject: 'I was with both hands for': how a woman from Texas lives, in whose eyes 300 people were executed
Funeral
As a rule, the official - the main part of the funeral begins with a mass in the morgue, temple or at the house of the deceased - a funeral service is held. In the church, funerals are accompanied by organ music or the singing of the church choir, at home - by recordings of church songs and, if there is a grand piano or piano in the house, by the performance of church melodies on it.
During the funeral service, the coffin is usually closed, covered with a veil or flowers; if the deceased is a soldier, the coffin is covered with a flag. The coffin is carried by guests usually invited to the funeral, but by no means close relatives. The coffin and the guests travel to the burial place in different cars.
For funerals, it is customary to wear dark-colored clothes (black, dark blue, dark green); widows usually wear a veil. At the cemetery, guests gather near the coffin and read prayers, the priest starts first, he is the first to throw a flower into the grave, then in turn each guest throws flowers. As a rule, the headstone is placed at the head.
Thanksgiving
There are no strict traditions of commemoration in America - they are arranged solely at the request of relatives and are very different from those in Russia.
In the house of the deceased, only the closest guests gather for a modest dinner. Often, the commemoration is a buffet table - the invitees eat modest snacks while standing. There is also such a tradition: guests invited to the commemoration bring one of their own dishes - in this way they express condolences to the family of the deceased and make it easier for them to hold the commemoration.
Sometimes relatives announce financial contributions to charity. When this does not happen, in case of an invitation, you are obliged to come to the funeral to honor the memory of the deceased. If for some reason you cannot do this, you need to send flowers as a sign of condolence and apology.
Original column published https://www.izakayasushilounge.com Amelife.com.
The material is published for educational purposes and is not a recommendation. ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for any diagnosis made by the reader based on the materials of the site, as well as for the consequences of self-medication, and may not share the point of view of the author or expert.
