What culture keeps dead bodies?

Unique Cultural Practices of Dealing with the Dead

In a mountainous area of Indonesia, the Toraja people mummify the bodies of the deceased and care for their preserved bodies as though they are still living. The Torajan people believe that after death the soul remains in the house so the dead are treated to food, clothing, water, cigarettes.

The Toraja of Sulawesi keep the bodies of the deceased in their homes for as long as a few years, believing “that a dead person who is still at home is not dead.” National Geographic documented the culture’s sacred tradition in a video, revealing their lavish celebrations for the dead.

In a custom that many foreigners find shocking, the Toraja people keep their dead relatives at home, feeding and cuddling their bodies. Then, when they are finally buried, they dig them up once a year for a celebration.

The Toraja people of southern Sulawesi, one of Indonesia’s largest islands, are known for their elaborate death rituals, which include preserving and exhuming the dead. Relatives retrieve a coffin during a ceremony in the village of Lembang Ma’dong.

Another culture that keeps the body in the house after death is Hinduism. In this religion, sacred objects should be left in place after death, and the body should be kept covered. The body and sacred objects are then washed and dressed by family, with the eldest son of the dead person traditionally leading this ceremony.

Islam, on the other hand, strictly opposes cremation. It is considered sacrilegious and haram (sinful and unclean) practice. For Muslims, cremation is totally forbidden.

Many tribes, including Native Americans, cut their hair while grieving the death of an immediate family member or to signify a traumatic event or major life change. This act represents the end of the time spent with the deceased loved one and often symbolizes a new beginning.

In Native American cultures, mourners bathe and dress the body in special clothes. The deceased is buried far away from the living area, along with their possessions and tools used for the burial. If the deceased died in their home, family members burn it along with any remaining possessions.

Native American tribes had different ways of disposing of dead bodies. Some Northwest coastal tribes put their dead in mortuary cabins or canoes fastened to poles. California tribes practiced cremation, while tribes in western mountain areas often deposited their dead in caves or rock fissures.

Certain religions, such as Islam and Judaism, have objections to autopsies because they believe bodily intrusion violates the sanctity of keeping the human body intact, despite not strictly forbidding it.

Hinduism is another religion that reveres body parts. In certain Hindu practices, body parts or relics of saints are considered sacred and worshipped.

Questions:

1. What culture keeps their dead?

The Toraja people of Indonesia mummify and care for the bodies of their deceased loved ones.

2. What culture does not bury the dead?

The Toraja of Sulawesi keep their dead relatives at home for a few years before finally burying them.

3. What tribe keeps their dead relatives at home?

The Toraja people keep their dead relatives at home, caring for their bodies and celebrating them even after burial.

4. Which culture exhumes their dead?

The Toraja people of southern Sulawesi, Indonesia, have elaborate death rituals that include preserving and exhuming the dead.

5. What religion keeps the body in the house?

Hinduism is a religion that keeps sacred objects in place after death and covers the body while it is kept in the house.

6. What religion does not bury their dead?

Islam strictly opposes cremation and prohibits it as a practice for Muslims.

7. Why do natives cut their hair when a family member dies?

Many tribes, including Native Americans, cut their hair to symbolize the end of time spent with the deceased and the start of a new chapter.

8. What do Native Americans do when someone dies?

Native Americans bathe and dress the body before burying it far away from the living area along with their possessions and tools used for the burial. If the death occurred at home, the house and remaining possessions are burned.

9. How did Native Americans dispose of dead bodies?

Various Native American tribes had different methods of disposing of the dead, such as placing them in mortuary cabins or canoes, practicing cremation, or depositing them in caves or rock fissures.

10. What religion does not allow autopsy?

Some religions, including Islam and Judaism, object to autopsies as they believe it violates the sanctity of the intact human body.