American Indian Burial Customs
Term Paper /
Lenora Glass
3/31/2011
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 doesdiffer 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 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 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.
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 purposethan 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)
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 thesoft 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.
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.
Bibliography
Dear, P. S. (2011). Cherokee Blackfeet Culture Circle. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from Cherokee Blackfeet Cultural Circle>Funeral Instructions:
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:
Unknown. (2009). Historic Funeral Traditions: Native North American. Retrieved 04 24, 2011, from
Unknown. (n.d.). American-Religion.html.
Yarrow, C. H. (2008). googlebooks.com. Retrieved 04 16, 2011, from ForgottenBooks.org:
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