If you're preplanning your own funeral or are making final arrangements for someone else, you may want to do a little research about different funeral traditions from around the world, as you might incorporate some traditions from your own heritage or those from the heritage of the friend whose arrangements you're making. Note a few interesting funeral traditions and practices from different cultures and countries.
Portugal
In Portugal, church bells will typically ring to signify the death of someone in a local city or village. The doors to the home of the deceased are usually left open, as a gesture of welcome to relatives and friends who want to show their respect to the deceased. Loud wailing around the deceased is not uncommon and may be seen as a sign of respect for that person.
Greek Orthodox
Cremation is generally frowned upon among those in the Greek Orthodox faith. A wake or viewing is traditionally held the night before the funeral, not afterwards. The funeral itself is usually planned for just a few days after the death, however, it shouldn't be scheduled on a Sunday or any day defined as a Holy Saturday.
Some Greek Orthodox funerals will also include a partaking of holy communion, but this is at the family's discretion; guests who are not part of the church would not take communion. Many mourners will kiss the body or a cross that is placed in the hands of the body or elsewhere on the casket.
Asian
Many Asian persons wear white to funerals, as this is the colour of mourning and death. However, some funeral goers may wear black or a dark colour while choosing to wear a white armband as a symbol of their loss. When a coffin is lowered into the ground, it's typical for funeral goers to bow their heads and to avoid looking directly at the coffin, as a sign of respect for the deceased. In China, it's not unusual for guests to give a small sum of money to the family of the deceased, typically in a white envelope.
America
In many parts of America, people are considering how funerals impact the environment, and may prefer a graveside ceremony only, to reduce the driving done by all funeral goers. Caskets may be made of natural materials and without toxic coatings so they don't release poisons and pollution when they break down. Tree planting may also be done in place of a funeral, where funeral goers all work to plant a tree or trees in the name of the deceased person.
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