Funeral Customs Vary Among Cultures, Religions

-- Native Americans: There has been a tremendous resurgence of Native American values, according to Harold Belmont of the Suquamish tribe in Kitsap County. Twenty years ago all services were handled through a funeral home. Customs vary within the same tribe since many people trace their ancestry to more than one group. Honoring the beliefs and traditions of the deceased is emphasized.

Traditionally, a person's remains are not left alone until time for the spirit to make the journey, says Ramona Bennett, director of Rainbow Youth and Family Services and an enrolled member of the Puyallup tribe. New moccasins are provided. On the morning of the service the deceased is cleaned like a new baby, and usually dressed in favorite or best clothes. Services are a blend of Christian and Indian traditions. A wake is held.

-- Chinese: Burial is chosen by most Chinese who trace their ancestry to Guangzhou (Canton) or Toishan in southern China, says James M. Mar, a semi-retired funeral director for Butterworth Manning Ashmore. Saturday generally is the favored day for a funeral. Red clothing is never used to dress the deceased or for funeral flowers because that color signifies good luck. White or pale-colored flowers are properly sent to the mourners. On viewing day, the day before the funeral, a coin is dropped into the casket so the deceased won't have to borrow money. On the third day after burial, a family member takes flowers to the cemetery.

-- Shin-shu Buddhists: Most families choose cremation, says the Rev. Don Castro of the Seattle Buddhist Temple. The minister's first contact with a bereaved family is the "pillow service." After a short chanting ceremony, a kesa (a thin band of silk) is placed around the neck of the deceased symbolizing the robes of Buddha; a Buddhist rosary is placed in the individual's hands. A wake may be held at the family home the night before the funeral or memorial. Actual rites follow at the mortuary or temple. The traditional seventh-day memorial now is often held the same day as the funeral or memorial service. White flowers, symbolizing death, are used on the shrine; multi-colored wreaths are traditional for the funeral. Ashes of the deceased usually are buried in a cemetery.

-- Muslims: Members of the Islamic Center of Seattle prepare and bury the deceased themselves, according to Habeeb Abu-Salah, a member of the congregation. After the body is washed, it is wrapped in three shrouds. Prayer follows. Males of the mosque go to the cemetery; women are discouraged from going in the procession. No coffin is used; burial is directly into the ground. No monuments or markers are used, though a stone might be left to help locate the grave.

-- Vedanta (Hinduism) Society: Cremation is traditional, according to Swami Bhaskarananda, swami-in-charge of the Vedanta Society. Mourners wash and dress the deceased, placing garlands of flowers around the neck; a sandalwood paste is applied to the forehead. If available, holy water from the river Ganga will be sprinkled on the body. Scriptures will be chanted. Just before cremation, the eldest son touches a flame to the lips of the deceased, signifying purification. Eleven days after death, the eldest son performs a shraddha ceremony to honor the departed soul.

-- Orthodox Jews: Burial usually occurs within 24 hours. A body not in the earth is considered a disgrace, explained Cliff Godwin, president of Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath Congregation. No embalming or viewing is done. The deceased is washed and prepared by volunteers from the congregation, and dressed in a white shroud. An unfinished, undecorated wood casket held together with wooden pegs is the only acceptable burial container. A father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter and spouse have an obligation to "sit shiva," or mourn, for seven days after death, said Rabbi Moses Londinski.