There isn't a specific religion followed. Life is a spiritual journey for Native Americans. Across most tribes, death preparations prepare the soul for the spiritual journey. Whether they fear or accept it, Native Americans view death as a natural part of life.
Now that you’ve learned about funeral traditions from modern and primitive tribes, let’s take a look at shared traditions between tribes. Inside the mounds, gifts and possessions of the deceased were found, to aid the soul in their journey to the afterlife. The mound builders offer some clues as to how Native Americans started performing their death rituals. They frequently engaged in war with other tribes until they dissolved shortly before the first settlers came to America. The mysterious mound builders were a group of Native Americans that built mounds as high as 70 feet.
#Indian burn body free
They view the earth as our Mother, and when a family member dies, a dirt burial is the best way to reconnect with the planet and free the soul. Sioux Native Americans may choose an earth burial. Instead, they reach out to spirits in a time of need and communicate with them. The Sioux don’t fear the soul of the deceased like the Navajo. Modern Sioux follow both traditional and Christian rituals. They were a nomadic group of people in the Great Plains. In the past, the Sioux were the largest Native American tribe. Family members bury the deceased in a church and read eulogies. Since the 20th century, many Navajos turned to Christianity, so you might see modern Christian practices at funerals, too. Contact with the deceased’s corpse can lead to sickness, misfortune, or even death, so very few family members as possible participate in the funeral. If the deceased died in their hogan - home of tree and bark - family members burn it along with any remaining possessions.Ī traditional Navajo funeral is a simple, no-frills affair.The mourners bury the deceased far away from the living area along with the possessions and the tools used to bury the body.The mourners bathe and dress the body in special clothes. Navajos choose family members to mourn.Navajos follow rituals and bury the deceased in unique ways to keep order. Instead, it’s a life that’s worth living.Įvery Navajo Indian hopes to live in hohzo or a state of order with the universe and beauty of all living things. Navajos don’t look forward to the afterlife and follow specific practices, so the deceased doesn’t haunt the living. The largest tribe in the United States has over has over 250,000 members nationwide and a deep fear of death. The tribe will dictate the preparation of the body, rituals, and etiquette. If you’re attending a Native American funeral, it’s crucial to know what tribe the deceased belongs to. Also, the customs can differ depending on if the deceased is an adult or a child. They go to extreme lengths to keep the spirit away from family and friends. In general, it’s the role of friends and family to guide the deceased’s spirit into the afterlife. Now that you’re familiar with basic beliefs, let’s take a look at specific funeral traditions and burials. Native American Funeral and Burial Traditions » MORE: Our members can save an average of $1000 when funeral planning. There’s a widespread belief that the deceased will reincarnate into another animal or person based on their deeds in this life. Death is a journey and continuation of life on earth. Tribes also unite in beliefs over the afterlife and reincarnation. In a practice called "animism," tribes believe that the entire universe is alive, including rocks and rivers. Living creatures aren’t limited to those with heartbeats. Also, Native Americans believe in deep bonds between earth and all living creatures. It’s agreed that most Native Americans worshiped (and some still worship) an all-powerful Creator or spirit. Yet, there are some similarities between the tribes. There were thousands of beliefs about death and grieving before European made contact with native tribes. There is no defining religion like Christianity or Islam between Native Americans.
Native American Spiritualityīefore taking a look at specific funeral and burial practices, its essential to understand all Native Americans aren’t the same. Instead, we’ve created a brief overview of shared beliefs and differences between the major ones. It’s not possible to summarize the death customs of Native American tribes as one. Modern Native American Funeral Etiquetteīefore the 1500s, there were thousands of Native American tribes in the United States, each with their own identity and way of life.Native American Rituals for the Sick and Dying.Native American Funeral and Burial Traditions.The rich history and culture of each tribe create a unique death philosophy. Over 5.2 million Native Americans live in the U.S., making up 537 stand-alone tribal nations.
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