Every country in the world has something in common – we all have a way to say our last goodbyes and honour those who have passed away.

However, burial traditions and customs vary from place to place. They are often influenced by the socio-cultural and religious landscapes of the country or region.

Burial customs can also change over time to reflect changes to these landscapes.

Below are five different burial traditions from around the world.

Diverse customs

Burial customs can change across religions and tribes in Ghana, but what is common is that funerals are a well-organised and meticulously planned occasion.

Close family of the deceased wear black and red, while other mourners wear formal clothes in black and white.

Ghanaian funerals typically take place on Saturdays. They can be elaborate occasions, often costing more than weddings. Many funerals are more focused on celebrating the life of the deceased, with accompanying traditional music and dance.

A picture of the deceased and their funeral arrangements can be publicly advertised, so funerals often have large numbers in attendance.

Something that’s also unique to Ghana are the coffins that people are buried in, known as “fantasy coffins.” These can be designed to reflect people’s hobbies and personalities. For instance, if someone loved cars or racing, they could be buried in a car-shaped coffin.

New Orleans jazz funeral

The city of New Orleans, Louisiana, is renowned for its culture of music.

Jazz music is incorporated into funerals in New Orleans. Anyone can request a jazz funeral.

A jazz funeral normally begins at a church or funeral home, with a procession to the cemetery. A brass band accompanies mourners along the way, playing melancholic music.

On the way back from the cemetery however, the music becomes more upbeat to celebrate the life of the person who has passed away. The body is considered to have been “cut loose” from their earthly life when they are buried.

A parade-like march takes place in the street afterwards, and everyone is welcome to join in.

The congregation is split up into two lines. The first line is made up of musicians and people who knew the deceased well, while the second line includes those who may not have been as close to the person who has passed away.

Mexico

Mexico’s unique tradition of honouring the dead has become well-known around the world.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated between 31 October and 2 November each year, coinciding with All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day on the Catholic calendar.

The foundations of the Day of the Dead originated thousands of years ago with the Aztec, Toltec and other Nahua people.

Today, the Day of the Dead is celebrated across Mexico. The veil between the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest at this time. People paint their faces to resemble skulls and visit the graves of the deceased.

An altar, or ofrenda, is built in homes and at gravesides. People offer food, water and candles for their loved ones. Marigold petals are scattered from altar to grave to guide souls back to their place of rest.

Burial beads

In South Korea, burial beads have become an eco-conscious alternative to burying the deceased.

Those who have passed away are now cremated instead and their ashes made into little beads, known as burial beads.

These beads are kept in the homes of family members. It’s seen as a way of keeping the deceased close by.

They are not generally worn, but rather kept in clear containers and dishes.

With a land area not much bigger than Ireland and a population of over 51 million, South Korea has limited space for burials. Beads are now the new alternative for many South Koreans.

The Irish Wake

You can’t really talk about world burial customs without mentioning Ireland.

We’re known for our way of saying goodbye through a wake followed by a funeral, but do you know how the wake tradition got its origins?

The Irish wake goes back thousands of years. It is thought that the practice originated with the Celts.

The term “wake” is alleged to have come from the effects of drinking stout from pewter mugs, which contained lead. Lead poisoning would cause people to go into a sleep-like state for a few days before waking up, and their appearance was similar to that of a deceased person.

The traditional practice turning mirrors in the home of the deceased towards the wall is to do with belief in folk legend that mirrors are a gateway to other worlds. This is said to help souls pass on to heaven uninterrupted.

Historically, wakes were also held for people emigrating to countries like the US and Australia, as it was more than likely they would never be home again. They consisted of song, dance, storytelling and games as a send-off.