{"id":118993,"date":"2026-08-21T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/?p=118993"},"modified":"2026-08-21T12:24:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T10:24:05","slug":"funeral-rituals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/funeral-rituals\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Real Funeral Rituals That Blur the Line of Sanity"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:60.9375%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:60.7421875%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:56.34765625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:61.23046875%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:51.171875%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:60.3515625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:62.98828125%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Funeral rites are some of the most fascinating cultural expressions out there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every step of the ritual is rich with meaning and is meant to <strong>honor the deceased<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different cultures have their own way of dealing with death. In some, like in most of the West, it&rsquo;s all in taboo and solemn silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In others, funerals are much more <strong>confronting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are 7 rituals that you&rsquo;ll struggle to comprehend!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Aghori Sadhus<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-119083\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-1024x624.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119083\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-1024x624.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-768x468.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-960x585.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-1080x658.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-170x104.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"624\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20624'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='624'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119083 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-1024x624.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-1024x624.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-768x468.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-960x585.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-1080x658.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/india-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-1-170x104.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cfblog.instaastro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10141623\/Who-Are-Aghori-Sadhus-in-Hinduism.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; cfblog.instaastro<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there is one practice on the list that will leave us all baffled, it&rsquo;s the Aghori Sadhus of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Tourism-g297685-Varanasi_Varanasi_District_Uttar_Pradesh-Vacations.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Varanasi<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Estes <strong>Hindu ascetics<\/strong> believe that all things are Shiva and that nothing is truly impure. They constantly work to liberate themselves from the boundaries the ego imposes on us all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While their practice includes ordinary spiritual activities like meditating, they also take funerals to incomprehensible lengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As part of the practice, these ascetics might <strong>drink from<\/strong> <strong>human skulls<\/strong> e at\u00e9 <strong>consume the flesh<\/strong> of corpses!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With these acts, they seek to reject their instinct for disgust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Aghori believe that what causes ordinary people to recoil is exactly the boundary that keeps them spiritually imprisoned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are still practicing in 2026. Their appearance itself honors the boundary between life and death, as they cover themselves in ash and wear skulls.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Sky Burial<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-119084\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-1024x622.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-1024x622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-960x583.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-1080x656.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-170x103.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"622\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20622'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='622'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119084 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-1024x622.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-1024x622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-768x466.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-960x583.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-1080x656.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/tibet-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-7-170x103.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wondersoftibet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Vulture-on-the-way-to-Tibetan-Sky-Burial-site-1024x683.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; wondersoftibet<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the highest points of Tibet, where the frozen ground makes traditional funerals impossible, and wood for cremation is also scarce, monks turn to sky burial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In sky burial, a Tibetan Buddhist monk brings the body of the deceased to a specific rock platform at dawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Above that location, <strong>Dakini vultures<\/strong> are already circling in wait. In Tibetan tradition, they&rsquo;re called sky dancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The monk dismembers the body and feeds it to the birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, to make sure the sky burial is complete, the monk grinds the bones into a paste mixed with flour and butter tea, so the vultures can <strong>consume it all<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&rsquo;s believed that the birds carry away the flesh as something sacred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tibetan Buddhism teaches that the soul departs immediately after death, while the body is just a temporary vessel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sky burial is considered the purest way to <strong>return<\/strong> what was borrowed from <strong>natureza<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Sokushinbutsu<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-119088\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-170x96.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20577'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='577'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119088 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-1024x577.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/japan-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-2-170x96.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nippon.com\/en\/ncommon\/contents\/japan-topics\/1480850\/1480850.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; nippon<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sokushinbutsu is a ritual that challenges what the human body is capable of enduring in the name of spiritual conviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was practiced by <strong>Shingon Buddhist monks<\/strong> in Northern Japan, between the 11th and 19th centuries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than a funeral, Sokushinbutsu was <strong>self-mummification<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process could take years, and the monks performed it while still alive, through incomprehensible discipline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ritual was done in three phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first lasted three years, and during that time, the monk ate only tree bark, roots, nuts, and seeds to eliminate all body fat. This prevented decay after death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second phase took another three years, with a similarly <strong>restricted diet<\/strong>, meant to remove body moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, the monk drank the tea made from a toxic tree sap, which made the body poisonous to insects and bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, the part that looks the most like a traditional funeral began with the third phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The monk would seal himself inside a <strong>stone tomb<\/strong>, with only a small tube for air and a bell that signaled he was still alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the bell stopped, the tomb would be sealed permanently.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Yanomami<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-119085\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-1024x627.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-1024x627.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-768x470.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-960x588.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-1080x661.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-170x104.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"627\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20627'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='627'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119085 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-1024x627.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-1024x627.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-768x470.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-960x588.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-1080x661.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/amazon-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-6-170x104.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-sumauma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/23155909\/04.editorial_30_01-1920x1248.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; sumauma<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deep in the Amazon rainforest, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.survivalinternational.org\/peoples\/yanomami\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yanomami people<\/a> have developed one of the most intense responses to death that history remembers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eles <strong>consume the ashes<\/strong> of their dead to keep their soul alive in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The body is cremated immediately after death until all that&rsquo;s left are ash and bone fragments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those fragments are then ground into powder and mixed into a plantain soup. Family members drink this soup together as part of the funeral.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The belief goes that the soul can&rsquo;t rest if its body is left in the ground belonging to no one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By consuming the ashes, the community literally <strong>incorporates<\/strong> the dead person <strong>into the living<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Famadihana<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-119086\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"524\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-1024x524.jpg\" alt=\"funeral rite\" class=\"wp-image-119086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-1024x524.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-768x393.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-2048x1047.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-960x491.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-1080x552.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-170x87.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"524\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20524'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='524'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"funeral rite\" class=\"wp-image-119086 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-1024x524.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-1024x524.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-768x393.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-2048x1047.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-960x491.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-1080x552.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/madagaskar-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-5-170x87.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/funeral.com\/cdn\/shop\/articles\/famadihana-in-madagascar-the-turning-of-the-bones-and-what-it-means-for-families-9607947.jpg?v=1774413537\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; funeral<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every five to seven years in the highlands of Madagascar, the local people get to observe one of the most surreal funeral traditions in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Famadihana means the <strong>turning of bones<\/strong>. Families gather at their ancestral tombs and remove the skeletal remains of their loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The remains are wrapped in fresh white silk, brought out into the sunlight, and <strong>danced with<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There&rsquo;s live music, celebration, laughter&hellip; It&rsquo;s seen as a <strong>reuni\u00e3o<\/strong>, and it can last for hours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dead are carried around, told family news, introduced to young children, and even given gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The idea is that the dead aren&rsquo;t gone, but only exist in a different shape. The living are responsible for maintaining a relationship with them and keeping them part of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Toraja<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-119087\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"618\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-1024x618.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-1024x618.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-768x463.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-960x579.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-1080x652.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-170x103.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"618\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20618'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='618'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119087 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-1024x618.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-1024x618.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-768x463.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-960x579.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-1080x652.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/toraja-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-4-170x103.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/terra-cultura.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Sepultures-Toraja--1024x683.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; terra-cultura<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Sulawesi, Indonesia, the Toraja people have built a <strong>unique relationship<\/strong> with the dead.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their tradition requires an elaborate funeral ceremony that costs a lot of money, and sometimes, it can take people years to save up enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So when someone dies, their body is <strong>embalmed<\/strong> with formaldehyde and kept inside the<strong> family home<\/strong>. Sometimes, they can stay there for months or years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During this time, the deceased is treated as someone who is just ill, so they&rsquo;re <strong>fed daily<\/strong>, talked to, and included in family gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the deceased smoked during their life, they&rsquo;re even brought cigarettes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Death is only acknowledged privately, while socially, everyone behaves as though they&rsquo;re still alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the funeral finally happens, it lasts for several days, includes hundreds of guests and animal sacrifices. People have to work for years to afford it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Toraja people express their love for the deceased by not rushing the farewell. Instead, they wait as long as it takes to send them off <strong>with honors<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Towers of Silence<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-119089\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"645\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-1024x645.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-1024x645.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-768x484.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-960x605.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-1080x680.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-170x107.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"645\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20645'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='645'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-119089 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-1024x645.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-1024x645.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-768x484.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-960x605.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-1080x680.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/zoroastrian-funeral-ritual-tradition-culture-3-170x107.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hamintour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/hamishesafar-Towe-Silence001-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; hamintour<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Zoroastrian community of India and Iran developed their funeral tradition from the idea of radical <strong>purity of the elements<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This essentially means that no natural element should be polluted by a corpse. Fire is sacred, so cremation isn&rsquo;t an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earth is sacred and can&rsquo;t be corrupted by decay. Water, also.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The only option they&rsquo;re left with are the towers of silence or <em>Dakhmas<\/em>, which function much like Tibetan sky burial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The body is brought to the tower by the chosen people, left on the stone surface in concentric rings that state the gender and age of the deceased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within hours, the <strong>vultures consume<\/strong> the remains entirely.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually, the bones dry out in the sun and crumble into the pit of the tower.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The practice continues in Mumbai in 2026.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Funeral rites are some of the most fascinating cultural expressions out there.&nbsp; Every step of the ritual is rich with meaning and is meant to &hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":119088,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"syndication_tool_enabled":true,"syndication_tool_title":"","syndication_tool_excerpt":"","syndication_tool_featured_image":0,"syndication_tool_publish_date":"","syndication_tool_schema_types":["gallery"],"syndication_tool_backlink_enable":false,"syndication_tool_ai_disclosure_enable":false,"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[100,208],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-118993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spirituality","category-history"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118993","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118993"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":120899,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118993\/revisions\/120899"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}