Grief Beyond the West: Cultural and Communal Approaches to Loss Part 2
In Part 1, we explored Indigenous, Hindu, and Jewish grief traditions, highlighting how community, ritual, and spiritual meaning shape the mourning process. Now, we continue our exploration by examining grief practices in China, West Africa, and the Middle East, showing additional ways that cultures honor the deceased and support the bereaved.
Chinese Grief Rituals
Chinese grief rituals are deeply rooted in the philosophical and spiritual traditions of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. These practices are designed to honor the deceased, ensure their peaceful passage to the afterlife, and provide comfort to family and community members. Customs can vary widely depending on regional traditions, family preferences, and the age or social status of the deceased.
A central aspect of Chinese mourning is ancestor worship, reflecting the belief that the deceased continue to influence the living. Families maintain a respectful relationship with ancestors, offering food, incense, and joss paper (paper replicas of money) to seek guidance and blessings. These practices reinforce a sense of continuity between the living and those who have passed.
The wake, known as shou ling, is a critical ritual in the grieving process. Lasting several days, it allows family and friends to pay respects, offer condolences, and participate in rituals. During the wake, the body is placed in a decorated coffin in the family home or funeral parlor. Continuous burning of incense and offerings of tea, food, and joss paper symbolize care and comfort for the deceased’s spirit. Mourners typically wear white or black clothing to signify grief.
Other ceremonial practices are deeply symbolic. Buddhist or Taoist chants, led by monks or priests, are believed to guide the deceased’s spirit toward the afterlife. The kowtow, a bowing ritual before the coffin, demonstrates filial piety and respect. The funeral procession transports the coffin to the burial or cremation site, often led by a Taoist priest or feng shui master, with family members carrying symbolic items and scattering joss paper along the route to protect and guide the spirit.
While traditional rituals remain widely practiced, contemporary Chinese families sometimes blend modern elements—such as digital memorials or eco-friendly funerals—reflecting the dynamic nature of these grief customs in response to social change.
West African Grief Traditions
West African funerals are renowned for their vibrant, communal, and highly expressive mourning practices. While customs vary across the region, several themes are common.
The preparation of the body is typically led by older women, who wash and dress the deceased in fine clothing. Touching the body before the ritual washing is considered taboo. Burial items and gifts placed in the casket are believed to support the deceased in their transition to the afterlife.
Emotional expression is a key part of West African mourning. Public wailing, crying, and other outward displays of grief allow the community to share in the loss. After burial, mourners often visit the grave in the following days or weeks to pray for the deceased’s peace. Memorial services, sometimes held weeks to a year after burial, celebrate the life of the deceased through music, drumming, dance, and communal gathering.
West African funerals serve both as a rite of passage for the deceased and as a unifying event for the community. They exemplify how grief is deeply social, performative, and interwoven with collective identity.
Islamic Grief Rituals (Global)
Islamic mourning practices are observed worldwide and share a consistent set of principles, though cultural variations exist. Key elements focus on honor, cleanliness, and community support.
Islamic funerals generally occur quickly, often within 24 hours, to ensure sanitary conditions and allow the grieving process to begin promptly. The body is ritually washed (ghusl) and wrapped in a simple white linen shroud (kafan), reflecting purity and equality in death. Burial takes place in a grave oriented toward Mecca.
The community plays a central role in mourning. Family and friends recite prayers, read the Qur’an, and offer practical support. Mourning periods vary: a general three-day period allows family and neighbors to gather, while widows may observe up to four months and ten days (iddah) according to Islamic law. Throughout mourning, expression of grief is expected but encouraged to remain dignified and restrained; loud wailing, self-harm, or extreme displays are discouraged.
Post-burial gatherings often include sharing meals and providing companionship, reinforcing communal support as a key component of coping with loss.
Middle Eastern Cultural Grief Customs (Regional)
In addition to religious practices, Middle Eastern cultures feature regional and interfaith mourning traditions. Christian communities, for example, may observe three-day visitations and memorial prayers, emphasizing support, ritual structure, and collective care. Historically, some communities practiced more overt expressions of grief, such as tearing garments or face-scratching, though modern adaptations often moderate these displays.
Among Shia Muslims, specific rituals commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali during Muharram, sometimes including re-enactments of historical events like the Battle of Karbala. While deeply meaningful for participants, extreme forms have been restricted in certain contexts. These practices illustrate how grief and remembrance can be intertwined with history, identity, and communal storytelling.
Shared Themes Across Cultures
Across China, West Africa, and the Middle East, several common threads emerge:
Community involvement: Grief is not solely individual; families, neighbors, and larger communities actively participate in mourning and support.
Ritual and symbolism: Ceremonies, chants, processions, and offerings provide structure and a safe container for grief, honoring the deceased while guiding the living.
Time and space for mourning: Defined periods for wakes, memorial services, or mourning allow grief to be expressed fully, rather than suppressed.
Spiritual or ancestral connection: Ancestor worship, religious prayers, or historical remembrance connect mourners to the deceased and the wider spiritual or cultural world.
These practices highlight how grief can be collective, expressive, and structured, contrasting with Western models that often emphasize private, internalized processing.
Reflection for Western Readers
Exploring these diverse global traditions reminds us that grief is not a universal, one-size-fits-all experience. While Western frameworks often focus on individual coping and emotional processing, many cultures rely on community, ritual, and spirituality to navigate loss. By understanding and respecting these practices, readers can broaden their perspective on grief, honor cultural diversity, and even reflect on ways to incorporate community, ritual, or intentional remembrance into their own experiences of loss.