Grief is a symbolic process that gives special meaning to funeral rituals, which are practiced not only by humans but also by some animals (Sánchez, 2019; Pastor, 2020). This highlights the importance of these rites, which are more elaborate and varied in the human species than in others (Sánchez, 2019). Therefore, since humans have been humans, funeral rites have existed in all cultures and throughout all times. In line with Sánchez (2019), these rituals are crucial for accepting death, processing the emotions it generates, and marking a turning point, as the death of a person opens the door to the infinite and represents such a radical transformation that it cannot be assumed as a common occurrence.
Funeral Rites and Acceptance
The grieving process involves a crucial element, which is the funeral rituals (Sánchez, 2019). These rituals represent a disruption in the routine that allows the initiation of the acceptance process, one of the most difficult and perplexing aspects of grief. Both on a collective and individual level, they assist in acknowledging the existence of a loss (Sánchez, 2019). In short, according to Pastor (2020), tributes and rituals are the paths that humanity has developed in all civilizations and carry a crucial cultural, psychological, and spiritual meaning: they are the way to channel greater symbolism through an act.
In this acceptance process, a final contact with the deceased is included (Sánchez, 2019). During the funeral ritual, the corpse symbolizes the living person who has passed away but has not truly gone (Delgado, 2005). Although it is known that the loved one is dead, there may be a need to connect with them to express gratitude, acknowledge their good deeds, or reconcile in some way (Sánchez, 2019). Additionally, funeral rituals serve to alleviate and manage the feelings of persecution that arise when a loved one dies. According to Sánchez (2019), they offer an opportunity for the person going through grief to start this process, to make peace with the departed and with themselves.
Finally, the ritual contributes to overcoming the guilt felt by the living family member for not being able to do something positive to save their loved one from death (Delgado, 2005). When a person dies, survivors often carry a feeling of guilt. This feeling repeatedly strikes the mind, causing internal fear and discomfort, leading to constant questioning of the relationship with the departed loved one. In these moments, in line with Delgado (2005), knowing that there are rituals to experience, to overcome and endure, can help in overcoming the loss.
The Rite and the Expression
Funeral rituals involve the expression of feelings since they allow people to externalize grief publicly without being judged (Hanoos, 2020). In a society that tends to conceal pain, making it increasingly private and medical, funeral rites break this isolation and facilitate community bonds to embrace and acknowledge what has happened (Pastor, 2020). According to Sánchez (2020), outside of these rituals, such behavior becomes somewhat suspicious.
Furthermore, grief is experienced collectively, offering consolation (Sánchez, 2019). Although each person experiences suffering in a unique way, in rituals, pain is shared, providing comfort. The company of others offers the opportunity to express the feelings experienced by the departed person. Talking about this person and mutually reinforcing memories is something that softens the pain. In this sense, funeral rituals also play a clearly effective therapeutic role in these situations. Finally, funeral rituals are a way of honoring the memory of the deceased (Sánchez, 2019). It is an act of consideration, respect, and appreciation (Brito, 2019). Perhaps it doesn't serve the deceased much, but it allows the living to make gestures of affection and bestow them (Sánchez, 2019). Posthumous expressions that leave the feeling of having been loved for the last time (Brito, 2019). According to Sánchez (2019), this alone gives meaning to farewell rituals.
The Ritual as a Behavior Normalizer
Los rituales funerarios tienen un poder terapéutico porque normalizan y normativizan socialmente, es decir, porque indican el camino que se debe seguir para alcanzar el objetivo (Delgado, 2005). Los ritos funerarios son útiles para regular el comportamiento social en momentos difíciles, ya que señalan lo que la sociedad espera de cada individuo. Sin ellos, la muerte podría ser entendida de forma distinta por cada persona y no se sabría cómo actuar en cada situación, prolongando o acortando demasiado el duelo. Así, de acuerdo con Delgado (2005), los ritos establecen la norma del comportamiento social y generan una sociabilidad orientada.
References
Brito, N. (2019). Cementerio Patrimonial de Cuenca. Cementeriopatrimonialdecuenca.com. Recuperado 2 October 2021, a partir de https://www.cementeriopatrimonialdecuenca.com/blog/detalle/442
Delgado, J. (2005). LA FUERZA TERAPÉUTICA DEL RITO FUNERARIO. Rua.ua.es. Recuperado 2 October 2021, a partir de https://rua.ua.es/dspace/bitstream/10045/1008/1/culturacuidados_17_08.pdf
Hanoos, M. (2020). Duelo en tiempos de COVID-19. Marina Hanoos. Recuperado 2 October 2021, a partir de https://www.mhpsicologia.com/duelo-en-tiempos-de-covid-19/
Pastor, P. (2020). Por qué son importantes los ritos y los homenajes en el duelo. Fundación Mario Losantos del Campo. Recuperado 2 October 2021, a partir de https://www.fundacionmlc.org/homenajes-ritos-duelo/
Sánchez, E. (2019). La importancia de los ritos funerarios en el proceso de duelo. La Mente es Maravillosa. Recuperado 2 October 2021, a partir de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/la-importancia-de-los-ritos-funerarios-en-el-proceso-de-duelo/
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