Death is not the end
Join us as we explore how culture, life and death intertwine in various societies all around the world.
Explore over 50 different funeral traditions
Funeral rites, burial traditions and death culture are as much about death as they are about life.
These ceremonies are full of symbolism, allow for the living to come to terms with their loss but also celebrate the life of the deceased.
Finding culturally appropriate ways to express grief is something most of us have to experience in our life. It is, thus, essential to be prepared for our own inevitable death or the loss of a loved one.
Myend thinks that we can learn a lot about ourselves by learning more about how various cultures around the world deal with the death of their loved ones, try to find positive meaning through their loss, as well as prepare for their own end. Read more about our mission here.
Cultural ResearchMyend’s research on funeral practices around the world is an on-going project with weekly updates on new countries. Visit our blog in the future for more updates. If you like to contribute or want us to research a specific country, please let us know via infor@myend.com
Trending stories
South AfricaExplore Zulu and Xhosa mourning and burial traditions, and the role of herbs, ancestors, apartheid and even sexual cleansing in South Africa.
New ZealandLearn more about New Zealand’s Maori death myths and omens, as well as traditional spiritual practices and tapu present at Maori funerals.
MexicoJoins us while we learn more about the origins, offerings, food, music and art of the Mexican the Day of the Dead, the Día de Muertos!
BrazilFrom the Yanomami human soup and Wari’ cannibalism to Brazilian Candomblé rites, we explore the origins and purpose of these death practices!
AustraliaDiscover Aboriginal death customs, including ‘sorry business’ and avoidance practices! Also check out modern Australian funeral customs.
CubaJoin us while we visit Cuba, learn more about religious syncretism, Santería practices and socialist funerals, including Fidel Castro’s!
Browse every tradition
Americas 9
ArgentinaExplore Argentina and learn about death folk saints and 19th century indigenous funeral rites, including human sacrifice and canoe burials
BrazilFrom the Yanomami human soup and Wari’ cannibalism to Brazilian Candomblé rites, we explore the origins and purpose of these death practices!
CanadaLearn about fascinating death practices of the Métis and First Nation peoples of Canada such as tea dances, pit burials, mortuary totem poles.
CubaJoin us while we visit Cuba, learn more about religious syncretism, Santería practices and socialist funerals, including Fidel Castro’s!
GreenlandExplore the Arctic vastness of Greenland and learn more about indigenous Inuit death beliefs, as well as the mysterious suicide clusters.
MexicoJoins us while we learn more about the origins, offerings, food, music and art of the Mexican the Day of the Dead, the Día de Muertos!
PeruDid the Inca sacrifice humans? How has the coronavirus changed Catholic funerals in Peru? In this post we answer these and more questions!
USA – Modern FuneralsJoin us on our road trip through the US, while we learn about Jazz Funerals, outdoors cremation, drive-thru funerals and America’s Blue Zone!
USA – Native AmericansLearn more about Native American death practices, Hawaiian clean burials in hidden caves, and have a glimpse at a Early Settler’s funeral!
Europe 12
DenmarkDid Vikings burn Longboats during funerals? We have the answer to this any many other questions about both Viking and Danish death practices!
FranceExplore the mysterious Catacombs of Paris and learn about the food traditions of Brittany, as well as the French Grim Reaper, L’Ankou!
GermanyExplore death beliefs in different German Eras: Paganism, Medieval folklore, World War II, and even modern corpse tourism and funeral cakes.
GreeceLearn about Ancient Greek funerals, the beliefs and rituals behind them, as well as how they relate to modern Greek customs and superstitions.
IrelandVisit ancient and medieval Ireland and learn about Celtic tumuli, human sacrifice, Samhain but also fairies of death and the art of lamenting!
ItalyFrom ancient Rome to medieval southern Italy, join us while we learn more about old death practices and modern Italian Catholic funerals.
NetherlandsDid you know about the ancient megalithic tombs Hunebedden? Or about euthanasia in the Netherlands? For these and much more, look no further!
RomaniaRomania offers very alternative death customs, a Merry Cemetery and a Royal funeral for the King of Gypsies. Let’s explore them together!
RussiaExplore Russian Christianity, but also fascinating folk superstitions on death but also, Buddhism, including a monk that died mid-meditation!
SpainSpain is home to many diverse regions and funeral practices, from Canarian mummies to death beliefs and superstitions of the Basque country.
SwedenExplore the Shamanic death practices of the Sami people and learn more about modern Swedish funerals and their approaches towards death!
WalesExplore the Welsh countryside and learn about 19th century death flower superstitions, omens and the fascinating profession of sin-eaters!
Asia 13
ChinaLearn more about the Chinese Folk Religion and its effect on burial traditions, the importance of ancestors as well as the Terracotta Army.
IndiaExplore the holy city of Varanasi, its cremation ghats and learn more about Hindu funerals and the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Mumbai.
IndonesiaThe Indonesian archipelago is home to dozens of mortuary customs including, Balinese cremation, Javanese acceptance and even smoked mummies!
Indonesia – Tana TorajaTana Toraja is home to many fascinating death rituals: from animal sacrifices, cave and tree burials to exhumating and parading the dead!
IranExplore Iran and read about Persian funeral customs ranging from ancient Zoroastrian Towers of Silence to modern Shiite Muslim traditions!
Japan – Death Folklore & Doll MarriageJapan has a rich tradition of folklore and spiritual beliefs around death. Read more about it as well as the rare ghost marriages using dolls!
Japan – Suicides & Shinto FuneralsLearn more about the history of suicide in Japan while traversing the Aokigahara Forest, Shinto shrines and even Okinawa’s own Blue Zone.
OmanJoin us while we explore Oman and Mu Ghayeb, a death custom of sorcery, denial and coping with grief that as a result raises the dead!
PhilippinesJoin us for our journey in Sagada, where we learn about the Hanging Coffins, and in Manilla where we spent a night in the North Cemetery!
Saudi ArabiaExplore Mecca, the tomb of Prophet Muhammad in Medina, and learn about the effect of Wahhabism on burials and royal funerals in Saudi Arabia.
South KoreaSouth Korea has a rich history of Shamanism and Confucianism that defined its death rites, but did you know about its modern death industry?
ThailandTheravada Buddhism defines Thai death practices including funeral pyres and cremation volumes, but what role does Thai animism play in death?
TibetExplore Tibet and its Bon and Buddhist funeral customs, including celestial burials, and learn about their hierarchy of death practices.
Africa 9
Egypt – Ancient Beliefs & RitualsExplore Ancient Egyptian rituals from the Book of the Dead and visit the mummies of Pharaohs at the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids!
Egypt – Modern Death PracticesFind out about present-day Egypt’s City of a Thousand Minarets as well as the City of the Dead, and listen to the echoes of ancient rituals!
GhanaLearn more about the Fantasy Coffins of Ghana, as well as funeral dressing etiquette and various rituals and beliefs of different tribes!
MadagascarVisit Madagascar and learn why locals dance with their dead during Famadihana. And if that’s not enough, we also explore a pirate cemetery!
NigeriaExplore Nigeria, while investigating Igbo’s second burial, learning more about Islamic Hausa death rites and Yoruba notions of good death.
South AfricaExplore Zulu and Xhosa mourning and burial traditions, and the role of herbs, ancestors, apartheid and even sexual cleansing in South Africa.
South SudanWhat is a ghost marriage? And what is the cultural role of beer at funerals? Find out with our article on death practices in South Sudan!
SudanVisit the mysterious Nubian Pyramids and learn more about ancient Kush burial practices as well as modern Islamic funeral customs in Sudan!
UgandaUgandans follow a variety of funeral traditions: beliefs of good death, alternative forms of grief for suicides and even funerals for twins!
Oceania 3
AustraliaDiscover Aboriginal death customs, including ‘sorry business’ and avoidance practices! Also check out modern Australian funeral customs.
New ZealandLearn more about New Zealand’s Maori death myths and omens, as well as traditional spiritual practices and tapu present at Maori funerals.
Papua New GuineaExplore Papua New Guinea and its tribal death practices: From witch hunts to cannibalism-caused brain disease, get ready for a wild adventure!
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