From the weird to the wonderful, to the outright OMG seriously.
How do we say goodbye to our loved ones? It’s a hard and very difficult choice to make given that we are often in shock and deep in grief at the point of then having to organise a fitting tribute. Most of us know about two ways of saying goodbye to our loved ones after they have crossed over that we use : cremations and burials.
However, you’ll be surprised to know about some of the strange, creative and I kid you not just plain weird funerals that different cultures around the world treat as their normal!
Look at these coffins!
A giant cow or pineapple take your fancy?
BURIAL BEADS
In South Korea, it is very common practice to cremate their loved ones due to the lack of space for burial. I can understand that, but then they have the ashes compressed into BURIAL BEADS, we do something similar here don’t we, in the way of cremation jewellery but this takes it to a whole different level. The beads are then put on display in the homes of the relatives! You can choose different colours and containers to display them. I actually think I like this idea? Do you?
MEMORIAL REEF
A company in the US called Eternal Reefs compresses ashes into a sphere or reef ball that is attached to a reef in the ocean, providing a habitat for sea life. They encourage the family to take part in the design of the sphere and have a beautiful gathering when the ball is delivered to its final lasting place.
I think this is very beautiful and unique.
Source http://www.eternalreefs.com/
FANTASY COFFIN
I know here in this country that the coffins are beginning to become a little bit different than the usual wooden ones we have known for years. In Ghana it is tradition to be buried in a fantasy coffin that actually represents their life on earth. The bigger and more lavish the display is, the greater the send off the person gets and they think it then elevates them in heaven! Not sure I agree on that one though – we are all equal on the other side surely?
A giant shoe!
FINGER AMPUTATION
Can you imagine? I would be fingerless now on one hand!!
Among the Dani People, the death of a loved one meant that any women and children related to the deceased had to cut off some of their fingers. This was done to drive away spirits, and is thankfully now banned. But many women are still walking.