9/5/2012
Multi‐Cultural Australia FUNERAL CULTURES, CUSTOMS & RITUALS IN AUSTRALIA
What does it look like? There are over 250 countries of ancestry for Australians There are almost 400 languages spoken (including Indigenous languages)
There are well over 100 identified religious groups - in fact some 69% of respondents indicated they have a religious affiliation* Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census figures
By Kelly Scott T J Scott & Son Funeral Directors Kyneton Victoria Australia
“Diversity is the norm, not the exception” Tonina Gucciardo‐Masci
Being Aware & Sensitive to Culture The use of fire
Touching the coffin
• The challenge for us is to provide flexible service to accommodate the cultural needs of our communities. • To be sensitive and understanding to those needs. • One Funeral Director may have a Buddhist Funeral, a Greek Orthodox Mass, a Maori Service and an Anglican Eucharist all on the same day!
Which one is the Australian Funeral? • Catholic Requiem Mass • Hindu Cremation Service • Secular gathering at a civic venue
The answer is: ALL OF THEM!
• Simple Jewish burial • Coptic Orthodox Ceremony • Maori Tangi • Buddhist Service
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The Funerals of the Eastern Orthodox Faith, the Maori Community and our Australian Indigenous People.
Funerals for the Eastern Orthodox Communities
What are some of their customs and rituals? What do Funeral Directors need to know? What is a funeral service like?
Customs & Rituals Expressions of Sorrow & Condolence
Customs & Rituals Symbols & Icons
• Crying and wailing is normal
• Patron Saints & other icons are important
• Visiting and accepting hospitality is expected
• White garments are often used
• Greet with a kiss 3‐times on the cheek or handshake
• Washing in red wine and oil
• Don’t avoid eye‐contact
• Icons are placed in or on the coffin
What do Funeral Directors in Australia need to know? • Elders, senior family members & Priest involved • Arrangements take place in the family home • Vigil Prayers (Trisagion) are held • Usually 4‐5 days between the death and the funeral • Burial preferred, for some on the 3rd day
• Candles are used widely
Funeral Services The Day of the Funeral • Family driven to the church • Hearse will travel to the family home on the way to the church • The coffin is open throughout the service • Family and friends come forward to kiss or touch the deceased and pay their respects to the family before the coffin is closed.
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Funeral Services The Day of the Funeral • Traditional, yet simple services. • All about the Liturgy and the Prayers • No photo presentations, Order of Service Leaflets, Eulogies • In native language • Large funerals where the whole community are involved
Maori Funerals
Funeral Services After the Funeral • Mourning periods may last for a year or more. • Black Clothing would be worn • Abstinence from celebrations or even listening to music. • Some males will not shave for the year following the death • Black armbands may be worn as a symbol of the mourning period
Customs & Rituals Traditional Maori Customs • Tuku – the commencement of mourning • Tapu – the deceased and those around them are sacred • The Marae – the gathering place • The Tangi is the funeral service itself • The land and the people are always acknowledged
Customs & Rituals Traditional Maori Customs • The family & community are very involved • The need to ‘keep watch’ over the deceased • Touching and kissing the deceased • Hongi‐ the pressing of noses & foreheads • Bringing Gifts • Calling, speeches, songs & stories
What Funeral Directors in Australia need to know • The need to return ‘home’ is powerful • Sharing their grief and sorrow as a community‐ not just in one service but over many days. • The care of the deceased is more important than their own their needs. • Waiting for the family members to arrive
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A Maori Funeral in Australia • At least 3‐5 days before the funeral or repatriation would take place •Preparing the deceased to be returned to their family is the first step. •Embalming and washing of the deceased is done so the family can dress them.
A Maori Funeral in Australia • Burial in their Mother Earth (NZ) is the preferred option. • May be buried in Australia and if possible they take part in the back‐fill of the grave. • Cremation is sometimes selected so the Cremated Remains can be sent back home.
Indigenous Funerals in Australia
A Maori Funeral in Australia • The deceased is returned home, allowing time for the family & friends to gather. • Several ‘services’ or gatherings may be held before the day of burial or repatriation. • The Tongi may be held in their Christian Church or in the Funeral Home.
Things to remember • Support is offered to the immediate family in many ways • Their traditional rituals continue well after the funeral • The home is visited to remove any evil spirits • Visiting the grave especially on the anniversary of the burial. • Photos of the family members will be taken to subsequent funerals
Indigenous Funerals Customs & Rituals • ‘Sorry' or 'Sorry Business' refers to the mortuary rituals and mourning practices of Indigenous Australia. • ‘Sorry Camps’ will be established for the mourning period
An Indigenous Community WA
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Indigenous Funerals Customs & Rituals
Indigenous Funerals Customs & Rituals: Taboos
• Abandoning the home & possessions of the deceased
• The given name of the deceased is not spoken
• Body Painting
• Certain foods may not be eaten by immediate family for some time
• Self‐harming/cutting • Cutting of hair
• Looking people directly in the eye may be considered offensive.
• Sweeping with Branches • Smoking Ceremonies
What Funeral Directors need to be aware of • Funerals can be held after 3‐4 weeks and embalming is not common.
Funerals for Indigenous Australians • Allow ample time for the funeral service. Viewings alone could take 1‐2 hours before the service begins
• Traditional rituals during the ‘sorry’ period – funerals may be more Christian based.
• Funerals are well attended, some with well over 500 people
• Claims may be made over the deceased
• ‘Funeral Clothes’ are purchased – black pants, white shirts & black ties
• Decorating the coffin in their own art, dot painting and handprints
• Ceremonial Dancing, playing the Didgeridoo or Clap Sticks are included. • Touching the coffin is customary
Funerals for Indigenous Australians • Traditional burials were in caves and hollowed out tree trunks to allow for natural decomposition by the elements. • Burial is the preferred option
Challenges for Funeral Directors • Communities in the most remote areas of the country. • A 920km round trip on a dirt road is not an easy drive! • Specially designed 4WD refrigerated vehicles are required in these conditions.
• Many communities have their own burial grounds otherwise they will use the closest town cemetery. • Attending important
the
burial
is
very
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‘Australian Funeral Rituals are among the most diverse in the World’
• There is no ‘one‐size‐ fits‐all’
(Howarth, G, 2000)
Serving a Multi‐ cultural Society
• Funerals play a vital role in cultural traditions • Funeral directors can have a positive impact on the grieving & mourning process
Thank you! My sincere thanks also goes to Lynnette Absalom from Centre Funerals in Alice Springs N.T, Rowan Steer from Integrity Funerals in QLD, John Fowler, Andi Granger and Oscar Diaz of the Invocare Group, Alistair Shaw of Hyqual Australia, Ray Valdeter of Morley Funerals Townsville, Jayant Babat, Hindu Priest, Melbourne; and Rev Alex Gator, Aboriginal Elder and Anglican Priest, Brisbane; Angela Crawford, Shanya Beattie, and Christina Kennedy and the wonderful AFDA staff for their support, insights and willingness to share their experiences and knowledge.
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