Irish Death Customs and Traditions
We think of funerals as sad and somber times. In our lives and in modern culture, they typically are. People dress in black and remain quiet in respect for the dead. But in Ireland, the opposite was true; people danced and sang and rejoiced in the memories of the deceased individual.
Why was celebration such a great part of Irish funeral traditions? In Ireland, people believed death meant someone was moving on to the afterlife, which was a greater and more beautiful place than the living world. There was nothing to be sad about; the deceased individual was going to be happier and freer than they could be in the living reality.
In addition to these interesting customs, death celebrations in Ireland also
continued for several days. Indeed, death was a celebration, not
something to be sad about. It began with a wake, a great deal of dancing
and singing and talking, and finally, a funeral procession.
Of course sadness is always a part of death traditions, and while there was a great deal of singing and laughing and happiness that surrounded funerals in Ireland, that isn't to say people didn't cry as well. They simply didn't put such weight and fear on death, and instead considered it part of the cycle of life. They appreciated the significance of death, accepting it is part of nature, but the somberness was lifted and replaced by good cheerful memories instead. There was no reason to be sad when everyone understood the deceased person was moving on to a better existence.
When Christianity came to Ireland, the church tried to ban alcohol at funerals,
but they were unsuccessful. Alcohol was for so long a part of Irish
customs and traditions that banning it would be nearly impossible.
If
we could take anything today from these Irish customs, perhaps the most
significant aspect would be the attitude Irish people had towards death.
We think of death as something horrible and feared, something to run
from. Instead, they viewed death as something positive and almost
something to be joyful about. Perhaps if we could recreate this attitude
at modern funerals, grieving processes would not be as hard for the deceased
person's family to endure.
Indeed, Irish people have held many different views on death and life in
general, as can be seen in their seasonal celebrations. Perhaps Irish
people were happier then because of the understanding that life was more
precious and didn't last as long. They did not have access to our
technology and medicine, so when someone got sick, the possibility of death was
greater. However, their customs didn't condemn death; instead, they
recognized that it was inevitable, but a good thing instead of a bad
thing.
Today, if someone wants to recreate an Irish funeral celebration, it would be much more difficult because of how our views on death have changed. It might still be possible if the deceased person's family were to send out funeral invitations informing the participants that this is indeed a funeral celebration, and not a time of heavy sadness and grief.
Comments
Susan on December 08, 2016:
Are you aware that the photo you chose at the top of this article is a Hindu ceremony? Most likely a Homa Puja.
tYpE oNe D on February 19, 2014:
this was a great help for my project. thank you very much, great information
Unknown on December 01, 2013:
VERY helpful for my Ireland project
thecelt (author) on October 29, 2011:
That's great. I'm so happy it helped you, Paige : )
paige cullen on October 28, 2011:
this article helped me get an A on my human development essay ?