Funeral Rites Research Articles

中國 禮制 形成過程의 考古學的 檢討

This study aims to comprehend the contextual backdrop of research concerning the formation of civilization and nation in prehistoric and ancient China. The focus is specifically on the ritual system, with a thorough examination of archaeological findings and Chinese research outcomes. The archaeological exploration delves into the process of establishing this ritual system. Ritual system, viewed as the cornerstone of national governance, is deemed a distinguishing trait of the ancient Chinese civilizations during the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Hence, it's imperative to scrutinize the earlier stages of ritual formation archaeologically. Initially rooted in ritual, it underwent a progression towards standardization and institutionalization, ultimately serving as a benchmark for social status and roles, and laying the foundation for a governance framework-a hallmark of the Three Dynasties era in China. To delve into the archaeological trajectory of ritual formation, materials from the middle and late Neolithic Age preceding the Three Dynasties were categorized into ritual architecture, tombs, human sacrifice, and ritual artifacts like pottery and jadeware. As a consequence, transformations such as the construction of rammed earth foundations and large buildings, the rise and prevalence of tombs featuring double wooden coffins, the advent of human sacrifices and funeral rites, the evolution of exceptional high-quality earthenware, and the regional shifts and developments in jadeware emerged. While these changes began to manifest during the parallel period of the Yangshao Culture in the Neolithic Age, it has been confirmed that they became standardized and regularized starting from the Longshan Culture stage.

Epitaph in English: A sociolinguistic Analysis

The study examines the use of language in epitaphs from a sociolinguistic perspective. The current study aims to analyze the syntactic and morphological aspects of epitaphs in English beside examining the use of euphemistic expressions. The study Identifies social factors like gender, age, and status that influence the writing of epitaphs and how the deceased's role in life is portrayed. Finally, the study aims to explore the cultural values and beliefs about death and the afterlife reflected in English epitaphs. This genre has received little attention in studies. In order to achieve the aims of the study, the researcher proposes some hypotheses which are: (i) There are significant differences in the syntactic and morphological structures of English epitaphs. (ii) The use of euphemistic expressions expresses differently in English epitaphs. (iii) The social status, age and gender of the deceased are reflected in English epitaphs. (iv) Culture and religion influence the content of English epitaphs. The study analyzes 13 English epitaphs using qualitative research design. The key findings indicate differences in morpho-syntactic structure, with no gender markers used in English epitaphs . implicit euphemisms is found in English epitaphs. Social factors like gender, age, and status are more frequently reflected in English epitaph. There are differences in the linguistic cues used for male versus female epitaphs. The study provides insights into how language reflects cultural and societal norms in funeral rituals.

조선후기 인척 세교(世交) - 노상추가와 해주 정씨가를 중심으로

This study is based on the diaries of Roh Sang-chu (1746-1829), a military officer in the late Joseon Dynasty, and shows the intergenerational contact between Gyeongju Roh and Haeju Jeong in the 18th century. In addition to the common history of being a military department for generations, the two families had been connected since their ancestors through academic and regional ties, and through the marriage of descendants of the two families, relations between in-laws were established and maintained. The three main factors of the two families contact are as follows in terms of academic ties, social relation capital, emotional empathy and ritual mutual aid. First, the two families lived in the Seonsan area of Gyeongsangbuk-do and responded together to local issues, including the restoration of ancestral tribute and the reconstruction of Seowon, based on their academic ties with the Yeongnam Sarim faction. Second, Noh Sang-chu was able to obtain information about examinations and government life from his Haeju Jeong in-laws, who were former and current military officials, and the social relation capital he built up with the Chungs provided him with additional motivation and guidance to become military life. Third, there was an emotional consensus among the members of the two families to share their leisure and cultural activities. Fourth, Roh and Chung's in-laws attended each other's mourning ceremonies, consoled each other, and helped with various Confucian wedding and funeral rites to complete the ritual. By analysing the intergenerational contact between the Roh and Jeong families in the 18th century, this study highlights the importance of the study of in-laws, which has been neglected in the academic field, and shows that in-laws in the Yangban families of the Chosun Dynasty were very close emotionally and mentally.

동심원 암각화의 제작 시기 및 상징성 고찰 - 영남 내륙 지역을 중심으로

The objective of this study is to determine the age of concentric circle petroglyphs and to elucidate the character of the sites and the symbolism of the motifs within their historical context. The determination of the age is a central yet challenging aspect of petroglyph research, given their exposure to external elements. This is true even for those found in burial sites, where various factors can influence the dating. However, the discovery of cup marks and concentric circle motifs on the cover stone of Songguk-ri No.1 stone cist tomb in Buyeo, which was investigated without exposure, provided a basis for examining the age by extracting common elements across regions. Consequently, it was determined that the concentric circle petroglyphs were engraved during the middle to late Bronze Age. The ages were delineated to estimate the diffusion routes. The middle to late Bronze Age, characterized by advanced agricultural practices, witnessed significant social changes and the emergence of social stratification. In this context, burial sites with engraved petroglyphs are understood to be spaces that went beyond simple funerary rites to include ancestor veneration and other ritualistic purposes. Additionally, the presence of petroglyphs on vertical rock faces near watersides suggests these sites were multifunctional ceremonial spaces, likely used for rituals promoting prosperity and other communal activities. Thus, sites with concentric circle petroglyphs are understood to be ceremonial spaces, and the motifs themselves are interpreted within this context. While the symbolism of these motifs is widely debated, with suggestions including the sun or water, their locations and the historical context suggest a stronger association with water rather than the sun.

The Absence of Funeral Rites as a Risk Factor for the French Bereaved Population.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, stringent measures were imposed in numerous countries, including France. These measures significantly disrupted societal practices, particularly mourning and funeral rituals. This study, conducted between June and September 2021 as part of the COVIDEUIL-France research, involved 242 participants, predominantly female (84%) with an average age of 49.64 years. The research aimed to investigate the consequences of the absence of funeral rituals and the adoption of personalized, domestic, and digital alternatives. Using online surveys and psychological tools, including the Traumatic Grief Inventory Self Report Version (TGI-SR), General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the study found a significant correlation between the lack of traditional practices and grief complications. Despite 21.81% of participants compensating with personal commemorations, digital commemorations were underutilized, raising questions about their effectiveness. The study provides crucial insights, emphasizing the need to address the psychological effects of disrupted mourning practices in France.

The potential of crematoria as a recoverable waste heat resource for district heating in the UK

Cremation is an energy-intensive process that represents the most popular funeral rite in the United Kingdom. Typically, a cremation lasts for 80 min and furnaces reach temperatures of up to 1000 °C. In order to remove pollutants such as mercury, cremation flue gas must be cooled down to temperatures below 160 °C, offering an opportunity for waste heat to be recovered and reused. Recent case studies have estimated that from 200 to 400 kW of waste heat is released during a typical cremation. Firstly, these reported values are used to determine the heat recovery potential from 314 crematoria across the UK, which varies from 141 to 281 GWh per annum. Secondly, a case study for integrating cremation waste heat into district heating (DH) in England is presented, and heat demand data for an existing network are used to evaluate the carbon and cost implications of exploiting cremation waste heat. Findings suggest that, although a small heat source, cremation heat can be an efficient resource for displacing peak gas usage in larger DH networks. This paper sits within the broader field of heat recovery, and the methods and concepts presented can also be applied to a wider range of heat sources and localities.

Identification of Social Status through Grave Goods Using a Biocultural Approach in Interpreting the Alpine Context of Borca Di Cadore, Belluno, Veneto, Italy (18th–19th Centuries)

The cemetery of the Church of Santi Simone e Giuda in Borca di Cadore (Belluno province, Veneto region, Italy) was excavated between 2021 and 2023 as part of an archaeological intervention. The excavation area yielded a total of 21 graves dating back to the 18th–19th century; this was intriguing due to the presence of grave goods and taphonomic indicators that allowed these burials to be interpreted as clothed burials. This contribution examines 14 of the 21 graves, representing the available sample considering preservation conditions. Fieldwork was carried out through close synergy between archaeological and anthropological methodologies, involving careful excavation to verify funerary rituals through taphonomic data analysis. Anthropological methods were applied to determine the biological profile of the individuals, while aspects related to their health status were investigated through paleopathological analyses. Data obtained from field and laboratory observations were cross-referenced with historical and anthropological-cultural data from bibliographic and archival research. Reconstructing the social status of the deceased within the burial context is crucial for understanding the social and cultural dynamics of past populations, achievable only through a biocultural approach integrating information from archaeology, cultural anthropology, and bioarchaeology. Modern burial contexts offer privileged realities due to abundant historical and anthropological-cultural documentation, allowing for a more precise contextualization of bioarchaeological findings with significant support from documentary sources. Studies applied to these periods closer to the present enable the continuous refinement of an investigative method attentive to the synergy of different aspects of biocultural research, enhancing the importance of this approach in reconstructing the life histories of populations.

Values of local wisdom in Rambu Solo’ from the perspective of Pentecostal spirituality and character education

The ceremony of Rambu Solo’, a traditional Torajan funeral ritual, is often met with scepticism by Christians, particularly within the Pentecostal community, due to perceived spiritistic elements conflicting with Christian doctrines. Despite this, the deep-rooted cultural significance of Rambu Solo’ persists among the Torajan people, including Pentecostals. This necessitates exploring aspects of the ceremony that align with Pentecostal values of spirituality and character education. Therefore, studies are needed that show the dimensions of spirituality and character education that Pentecostal believers can accept. The research method used in this article was qualitative ethnography, and the analysis used was the theological triad in Steven Jack Land’s Pentecostal spirituality, namely orthodoxy, orthopathy and orthopraxy. Findings revealed a divergence between Rambu Solo’s orthodoxy and Christian tenets. Nonetheless, aspects of orthopathy and orthopraxy within the Rambu Solo’ ceremony align with Pentecostal spirituality, mainly through its emphasis on character education.Contribution: Using triad theology in assessing local culture in Indonesia provides a more comprehensive meaning of cultural values for constructing spirituality and character education.

Study on the Structuring of Music for Buddhist Folk Funeral Rituals in Bijie

I think I have made an in-depth study of folk Buddhist funeral ceremony music in Bijie area, which aims to explore the origin, development, evolution of folk Buddhist funeral ceremony music in Bijie area, as well as its position and role in society and culture, and education. This study adopts a variety of research methods such as field survey, literature study, and music analysis. A large amount of musical materials were collected through field surveys and recordings of different folk Buddhist funeral ceremony music in the Bijie area. Relevant historical documents, folklore and oral history materials were also sorted out and analyzed to understand the historical origin and cultural background of funeral ceremony music. The results of the study show that the folk Buddhist funeral ceremony music in the Bijie area has a long history and a unique style. These musical compositions usually consist of elements such as Buddhist scriptures, mantras, Buddhist music and folk music, forming a unique musical form. In funeral ceremonies, these musical compositions are used to pay homage to the deceased, transcend the spirits of the dead, and protect the living, etc., and they have both religious ceremonial and social functions (ethics and morals, Buddhist education, and rituals). In addition, the study also found that folk Buddhist funeral ritual music in the Bijie area was influenced by a variety of factors during its evolution, such as regional culture, religious sects, and social change. With the development and change of society, the funeral ceremony music also evolved and innovated, gradually forming unique local characteristics. In general, the music of BiJie folk Buddhist funeral rituals is characterized by its solemnity, solemnity, sadness, and mourning, and adds a unique atmosphere to the funeral rituals through various forms of Buddhist scripture recitation, gatha and music performance, so that people are more able to feel the presentation of cultural phenomena such as memorialization and prayers for the deceased, and expectations and teachings for the living, and so on. It reveals the historical origin, cultural background and evolution process of the music of Bijie folk Buddhist funeral ceremony, and provides theoretical and practical guidance for the protection and inheritance of this unique music culture.

The problem of the attribution of burials of medieval nomads on the territory of the ukrainian steppe on the example of three burials from the Novosilsky kurgan complex

The article is devoted to the problem of attributing monuments of medieval nomads from the Ukrainian steppe in the period of X-XIV centuries on the example of three burials from the Novosilsky Kurgan group located in the North-Western Black Sea coast. The attribution of such burials is problematic for the archaeology of Ukraine. The number of modern studies on this topic is rather small, which is determined by the somewhat biased attitude of scientists towards the monuments of medieval nomads of the 10th-14th centuries as those left by a certain homogeneous community, as evidenced by the still used term "late nomads". However, such a strong generalization does not reflect reality. During the Middle Ages, the steppe of Ukraine was replaced one after another by waves of multi-ethnic nomads who migrated here from Central Asia. The ethnic diversity of the Pechenegs, Torks, Cumans, and the Central Asian peoples who came with the Mongols, but also their similarities, including the significant similarity of funeral rites, made it difficult to attribute and identify features for certain ethnocultural groups and chronological periods. The purpose of this paper is to trace possible solutions to this problem. Modern technologies can also help with this - namely, 3-D modelling of artefacts from burials, which allows us to learn the detailed parameters of each object and visualize it in high resolution. For this work, three 3-D models were created - one object from each burial site, which will be characterized in the paper. The models also perform an important task of preserving cultural heritage, because unfortunately, since 2014, because of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, nomadic monuments from the medieval steppe of Ukraine have been destroyed.

OSTEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS OF THE CHERNYAKHOVSKAYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL CULTURE IN THE FUNDS OF THE ANUCHIN RESEARCH INSTITUTE AND MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY OF LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY

Introduction. The cycle of publications on the historical and archaeological characteristics of osteological collections from the funds of the Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology of Lomonosov Moscow State University continues in the article. The purpose of this work is to create an information base for paleoanthropologists studying collections from the burial grounds of the Chernyakhovskaya archaeological culture dated III – beginning. V centuries AD. Materials and methods. This section provides a general description of the collections from the burial grounds of the Chernyakhovskaya culture, stored in the museum's funds. The materials considered were unearthed during excavations by Soviet archaeologists of the 1950s-1960s (E.A. Simonovich, G.B. Fedorov) on the territory of modern Ukraine and Moldova. The work uses all available publications of the authors of the excavations, as well as subsequent summary and analytical studies. Results. The main part of the work presents information on the burial grounds of the Chernyakhovkaya culture of Zhuravka, Chernyakhov, Malaeshty. The geographical characteristics of the sites, the history of their research, and basic information about the archaeological context for the presented anthropological materials from these necropolises are given. The most common, standard features of the funeral rite are shown and burials with unusual features that fall out of the general framework are indicated. A number of burials have been identified, which are marked in the accounting materials as belonging to the Chernyakhovskaya culture, but, in fact, are not related to it. Conclusion. The analysis of information about the three burial grounds allows us to consider them, to some extent, reference, standard for the Chernyakhovskaya culture at the main stage of its existence. A large collection from Zhuravka –143 storage units, as well as fairly large ones, 21 storage units and 20 storage units, respectively, from the burial grounds of Chernyakhov and Malaeshty allows to apply a wide range of anthropological and molecular genetic techniques.

Enhancing Women's Capacity in Funeral Management: A Community Service Study in Lima Puluh Kota Regency

This community service aims to enhance the capacity of women in managing funeral rites in Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra. Through a series of training sessions conducted in six locations, this program is designed to empower women to be more confident and skilled in performing funeral management tasks according to Islamic law. The methods include lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, enabling participants to understand and practically apply the necessary skills. The results of the community service show a significant improvement in the participants' technical skills and confidence, as well as a positive change in women's active participation in religious activities within the community. Additionally, this training successfully shifted societal perceptions of women's roles, recognizing them as capable and important in funeral management. In conclusion, this program not only contributes to women's empowerment but also to the development of a more inclusive and empowered community. The program has the potential to be replicated in other regions with similar cultural contexts, thereby broadening its impact on women's empowerment and community capacity building.

Этноархеологическое изучение памятников эпохи бронзы Центрального Предкавказья (на примере Камлюкского кургана)

The article discusses the problems of ethnogenetic interpretation of archaeological cultures and the chronological determination of burial complexes using the example of the Kamlyuk mound. The source used is materials stored in the scientific archive of the Institute for Humanitarian Re-search of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A short historiographical review of the history of the study and discovery of archaeological monuments on the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria is presented. The study applies methods of ethnographic and archaeological study, and uses the concept of “ethnoarchaeology”. Typological features of burials are highlighted, similar and distinctive features are compared and analyzed, and an ethnographic description of the funeral rite is given. The question of the relationship between the concepts of “archaeological culture” and “ethnicity” is considered. The ethnicity of burial complex builders is discussed in relation to ancient Bronze Age archaeological cultures (Maikop and North Caucasus) and the ethnic communities that have lived in this territory since antiquity. Attention is focused on the need for additional research, considering an interdisciplinary approach.

Sickness, death and burial during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lesotho: changing faces of cultural norms

ABSTRACT Basotho have historically been victims of culturally devastating pandemics and epidemics which include the rinderpest epidemic of 1898–1902, the Spanish influenza/flu of 1918, HIV/AIDS and of late COVID-19. This spelt disaster on practices associated with caring for the sick and dying but COVID-19 remains the most memorable. This study, which is based on Lesotho experiences, uses the health communication theory, to discuss the effects of the pandemic on sickness, death and funeral rites in Lesotho during the period 2020. The purpose is to extend knowledge of how ordinary people struggled to conserve their everyday ways of life in the face of this existential threat and circulating rumours. Data was gathered through interviews, personal observations and reappraisal of secondary. The study is significant in that it calls to attention negotiating the incorporation of people’s way of life when curtailing pandemics in order to cultivate reasonable cooperation, which in turn cut costs and increases people’s confidence in the government. This kind of working together has generally been elusive in Lesotho’s confrontation with epidemics. The study found that poor communication and perceived government interference with their culture left families affected by the pandemic feeling guilty, distraught, confused, and traumatised.

The Struggles to Overcome Traumatic Deviant Sexual Abuses as Starkly Portrayed in “Funeral Rites” by Jack Dickson

The Struggles to Overcome Traumatic Deviant Sexual Abuses as Starkly Portrayed in “Funeral Rites” by Jack Dickson

Cemetery and Funeral Rites in the Picture of the World of Catholic Siberians (19th – 20th Centuries)

Cemetery and Funeral Rites in the Picture of the World of Catholic Siberians (19th – 20th Centuries)

Burials of the XIII–XIV centuries in the Egiin-Gol river valley (Northern Mongolia): burial rite features

The article analyzes of the results of studies, condacted in 1997–2000 by archaeologists in the Egiin Gol river valley, northern Mongolia. The findings of 3 burial grounds, where burials of the XIII–XIV centuries were excavated, were examined – Mukhdagiin am, Kholtost nuga and Elst hotol. Based on the characteristics of the funeral rite, 4 groups of burials have been identified. The first included 9 graves from the necropolises of Elst hotol and Kholtost nuga. Corpses in them were placed without additional intra-grave structures. They were laid on their backs. The body was oriented with the head facing northwest, north, northeast or east. A shin, head or part of the spine of small cattle were placed near the hands or feet of the deceased in the grave. The second group included 4 burials of the Mukhdagiin am burial ground. The deceased were placed in wooden coffins and were oriented with their heads to the north or northwest. The shin of a sheep was placed vertically near the head. The third group included single burial of the the Mukhdagiin am burial ground. It had an undercut in the grave pit, where the body was buried. The fourth group included a grave from the Kholtost nuga necropolis. In it the deceased was wrapped in birch bark. During the first half of the II millennium, in the lower part of the Egiin Gola valley, the dominant position was occupied by the bearers of burial traditions of the first group. Representatives of the second group of burials appear in this area in the XIII century, comparable to the Sayantui funeral rite. The burials of the third and fourth groups date back to the beginning of the II millennium.

Communication Ethnography in the Royal Funeral Ritual in the Marapu Community, East Sumba

The funeral ritual, also known as 'pa hengingu', is one of the traditional customs of Sumba that have endured to the present day. This research examines the communication events occurring within the Marapu funeral ritual. This study aims to understand the perspectives and values held by the Marapu community by employing a qualitative approach and communication ethnography methodology. This study focuses on traditional communication in the Marapu’s funeral ritual by examining communication activities, such as communication situations, communication events, and communication actions. This study also tries to understand how a cultural group creates meaning, values, and communication practices through cultural events. Research data was collected through observations and interviews with one primary informant and three additional informants. The primary informant was the Funeral Ritual Guide, while the other three informants included the Chief of the Marapu Community, a male community member, and a female community member. The implications of this research for the Marapu community lie in the realm of documentation and archival record benefits. The research findings reveal that the Marapu community highly values kinship and community cooperation—the funeral ritual results from community cooperation involving not only grieving families but all tribal groups within the Marapu community.

Batu Qulhu—The stone of death: Harmonizing traditional funerals in the Mandailing community of North Sumatra

Death and funeral rituals hold significant cultural and spiritual importance in traditional communities worldwide, including within the Islamic faith. This study focuses on exploring the unique funeral ritual known as Batu Qulhu in the Muslim Mandailing community. Employing a qualitative approach, the research utilizes field observations and interviews with ulama and imams who have practical knowledge and understanding of this traditional ritual. The study reveals two origin stories of Batu Qulhu: one attributed to the first Imam in the Mandailing community and the other associated with parents, ulama, and village malims (religious teachers) without specifying an individual source. Batu Qulhu refers to the white river stones utilized by the congregation during the ritual to count the number of prayers offered. The procession of this tradition follows a strict protocol, encompassing prayers, recitation of the Quran, and seeking forgiveness for the deceased and their family. The efficacy of Batu Qulhu serves as a testament to the cultural values of spirituality, tradition, and the preservation of cultural identity. While Batu Qulhu remembrance is specific to the Mandailing community, similar cultural practices can be observed in other regions, highlighting the universal human need to honor and remember the deceased, find solace in collective rituals, and uphold cultural traditions as an integral part of identity and social cohesion.

Ngytarma and Ngamteru: Concepts of the Dead and (Non)Interactions with Them in Northern Siberia

This article examines some features of the mythological beliefs and funeral rites of Siberia’s two related Uralic peoples—the Nenets and the Nganasans. The afterlife fate in the mythology of Nenets and Nganasans is similar—the souls of the dead go to the Lower World, where they continue to live as they lived on Earth. However, the two cultures’ attitudes towards the dead have intriguing differences. A comparison of Nenets and Nganasan beliefs and rituals reveals significant correspondences between the ideas about the benevolence of the dead (the Nenets) or their harmfulness (the Nganasans), on the one hand, and the presence of the practices of substitutional incarnation (images of the dead) (the Nenets) or the absence of such images (the Nganasans) on the other. The differences between the Nenets and the Nganasans, as I suggest, are due to the origin and history of the peoples: the Nenets’ customs reflect the traditions of the Uralic tribes who came to the far north from Southern Siberia in ancient times. At the same time, the Nganasans’ ideas are probably rooted in typical concepts of the Palaeo-Siberian population assimilated by the Uralic tribes.