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DYING AND DEATH: DEATH-RELATED CUSTOMS AROUND THE WORLD
Each culture recognizes death as a significant rite of passage. Yet the traditions associated with death vary a great deal in different places, often reflecting religious views and ancient customs. Here is a sampling of practices related to death.
• The Maori of New Zealand place the dying in special huts. After a person dies, the body is dressed in nice clothes and placed in a seated position to be viewed by the public. The mourners wear wreaths of green leaves. They cry out, cut themselves with knives, chant praises, and give gifts to the relatives of the deceased. Later, the hut, together with the body, is burned.
• Muslims in the Middle East place the body of the deceased on its side and wash it with warm soap and water an odd number of times. Generally, members of the same sex of the deceased must perform the washings. The body is then dried off, perfumed, and wrapped in white cloth. Mourners face Mecca and recite prayers, and then a silent procession takes the body to its burial place. All of the mourners participate in filling the grave with soil.
• In Judaism, seven immediate family members are expected to observe the mourning period: mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, and husband or wife. Shiva, or the mourning period, lasts for seven days, beginning with the funeral, which should take place as soon as possible after death occurs. During shiva, family members do not shave, bathe, wear makeup, use perfume, wear leather shoes, get haircuts, or engage in sexual relations. During this period, family members and friends come to comfort the bereaved and usually bring food.
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GENERAL HEALTH
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