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Introduction to Mortuary Science 1010
American Indian Burial Customs
Term Paper
Lenora Glass3/31/2011
I chose to write my paper on American Indians burial customs.
I chose this subject because I know that there is not much
documented about it. Being an American Indian myself, I thought
that this could give me the opportunity to learn other tribal
customs. Tribal burial customs are very sacred and therefor
specific information is not readily available, it is also frowned
upon to give out such specific details. Death for American
Indians does differ from tribe to tribe, by their regional
environment; some customs were taken from the early Christian
settlers. In respect to those tribes and their sacred traditions
I will not add or note details of those sacred traditions.
American Indian burials have been referred to as “Naturally
Green” given that the American
Indian religious belief is based
on Mother Earth. It is believed
that there should be respect for
the planet and all that is found
upon it. Birth, life, and death
are all part of the great circle
of life. Death is not the end.
“Native American traditions
follow the belief and practice
that the natural world is truly
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sacred. Many religious ceremonies are specifically tied to a
specific location, and to harm that place would be contrary to
Native American beliefs. Because of this, Native American funeral
practices have always been eco-friendly.” (rpaskin, 2010)
As I have researched this topic, I have found that many of the
burial customs are similar to that which we have studied in
class.
As times have changed, so have the customs of American
Indians. Traditions are slowly fading away and being replaced by
modern practices. I have found that many of the tribes tend to
have some of the same mourning customs, even to this day, as they
had long ago. Some of those practices are still carried out, for
instance, the cutting of hair. Men and women both would and have
worn their hair long. Of course, this isn’t always the case
today, but some women and some men continue in that custom. As a
sign of respect and their loss, the hair was cut. Another reason
for cutting hair short was to indicate a person was in mourning.
Dakota Indians never cut their hair. Quote “The hair cut, never
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under any other circumstances, is cropped off even at the neck.”
(Yarrow, 2008)
Fasting was also a big part of the mourning process. Mourning
could last until burial or for several days.
Several tribes, including my own, Ute Mountain Ute, bury their
decedents with their belongings. Larger items such as their
house, cars, and items that are too big, or items of value were
given away, or dispersed after burial. (Eyetoo, 2011) As I was
growing up, I remember the adults would gather up many of the
belongings to be buried alongside the decedent. They would take
their belonging on their journey after life. Any of the other
items such as jewelry were given to those who had attended the
funeral. As recent as when I was a child, all belongings that
were not buried with the decedent would be burned.
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Like the Greeks, women were the ones who prepared the decedent
for burial. This included: washing, clothing, and grooming.
Only the women who were preparing the decedent were allowed to
touch the decedent. Handling the decedent for any other purpose
than preparation was and has been viewed as taboo. To this day,
female relatives will come and wash, dress, and groom their loved
ones.
Only their belongings were allowed to accompany the decedent.
Anything that belonged to someone other than the decedent was not
allowed. Adding items that belonged to anyone else would
interfere with the rest of the decedent, causing the spirit to
remain here or interfering with its travels. This includes
crying over the body. Tears or even a single hair was not to be
included with the decedent. (Eyetoo, 2011) My grandmother,
Stella Eyetoo has said, “You do not kill the beaver, if you were
to kill the beaver he would take the water with him, leaving you
with no water, without water you too would eventually die.”
Having something of yours included in a burial would cause a part
of you to be taken with the decedent.
Burial sites varied with tribes. Many southeastern tribes
practiced secondary bone burial. Secondary bone burial ment that
they would dig up the remains of the decedent, clean off the
bones, and then rebury the cleaned bones. (Unknown)
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California tribes used cremation. Western Mountain tribes,
including the Ute tribe, buried the tribal members in caves or
rock caverns. Probably the most well know practice is that of
the Great Plains region. They buried their decedents in the soft
ground. If they were unable to do so they buried their tribal
members on tree platforms or scaffolds. (Unknown)
Atlantic tribes such as The Cherokee Nation, use lavender oil
to wash the decedent and then wrap them in a white cotton cloth
or sheet. The burial is to be performed the same day or the next
day before sundown. (Dear, 2011) Again, similarities with what
we have studied this semester.
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The Navajo Nation would have an in-law, no blood relative;
remove the decedent after wrapping him or her in a blanket. They
would then take the decedent north of where they once lived, by
horse. Once they had gone far enough they would bury the
decedent, and then kill the horse. (Unknown, Historic Funeral
Traditions: Native North American, 2009)
Just as the Ute tribe packed the decedent’s belonging for their
journey to the afterlife, the Navajo, killed the horse so that
the decedent would have a strong horse to help him in his
journey. (Unknown, Historic Funeral Traditions: Native North
American, 2009)
Many tribes like the Cherokee Nation and the Ute Mountain Utes
do not embalm their decedents, nor do they practice donation of
organs or body parts for medical purposes or any other purpose
for that matter.
As I have researched the previous topics, I have learned so
much about my tribe and the many other tribes. I have really
enjoyed this opportunity.
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BibliographyDear, P. S. (2011). Cherokee Blackfeet Culture Circle. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from Cherokee Blackfeet
Cultural Circle>Funeral Instructions: http://CherokeeBlackfeetCulture.bizolaweb.com/Default.aspx?tabid=668510
Eyetoo, L. (2011, 04 21). Ute Mountain Ute tribe burial customs. (L. Glass, Interviewer)
rpaskin. (2010, 10 27). Funeralwise.com. Retrieved 03 11, 2011, from Funeralwise: http://www.funeralwise.com/customs/green_native_american
Unknown. (2009). Historic Funeral Traditions: Native North American. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from http://www.deathcare.com/2009/historic-funeral-traditions-native-north-american.html
Unknown. (n.d.). American-Religion.html.
Yarrow, C. H. (2008). googlebooks.com. Retrieved 04 16, 2011, from ForgottenBooks.org: http://books.google.com/books?id=Wb7T_ybFVBwC&pg=PA81&dq=mourning+customs+of+american+indians&hl=en&ei=2BCqTfacLYy4sAPC27n6DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=book-thumbnail&resnum=2&ved=0CE4Q6wEwAQ#v=onepage&q=mourning%20customs%20of%20american%20indians&f=false
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