Here in America and in most of Canada, we have funeral traditions that have stood the test of time for decades, even centuries.
But our traditions are vastly different from those in other countries and cultures.
This article takes a look at funeral traditions in Mexico and is part of a series that highlights how different cultures care for their dead.
Catholic Influence
Although Mexico has allowed freedom of religion since the mid-19th century, more than 82% of its population practiced Catholicism as of 2010. This is largely due to the Spanish conquest and colonial era, as Spain is the birthplace of Roman Catholicism.
Many of Spain’s values (including the Spanish language and Roman Catholicism) remain a large part of Mexican culture long after Mexico claimed its independence from Spain in 1821.
Because so many Mexicans are part of the Roman Catholic faith, the church has a huge influence on funeral traditions. In the Catholic faith, cremations aren’t typically encouraged, and scattering ashes or keeping them in an urn is against the faith — if cremation is chosen, the ashes must be buried.
More Time with the Dead
When someone dies in Mexico, it’s uncommon for the family to immediately have them taken to a funeral home or church. Instead, most families will spend up to 48 hours with the deceased in their home, with a simple sheet draped over them or a simple coffin for them to lay in.
During this time, family and friends visit the home and enjoy food and drink together, hold prayer vigils, and celebrate the dead. Many people bring gifts of food or money to the immediate family.
Belongings of the Deceased
Individuals are typically buried with more belongings than those in America or Canada. Clothing and favorite possessions are placed in the coffin with them, as it is believed they will continue to use these things in the afterlife.
Velorios
Velorio is the Spanish word for wake, and it’s pretty similar to an open casket viewing in America or Canada. The only real difference is that in some instances, the deceased is in a glass coffin or covered in a simple, translucent shroud rather than an open casket.
During a velorio, most families will place a candle (vela, in Spanish — which is why this ceremony is called a velorio) at each corner of the coffin. After the velorio, any remaining stubs of these candles are saved, as they are believed to bring good luck.
Novenas
For Mexican Catholics, an important part of the mourning process are novenas. Novenas are prayers, recitations, and/or masses that close family members perform for nine days after their dead have been laid to rest.
Novenas are meant to provide comfort for those who are grieving, and in some cases protection for the deceased in the afterlife.
Day of the Dead
One of the most well-known traditions that Mexico has in regards to its dead is the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos. Though it’s called Day of the Dead, the holiday actually begins on October 31st and concludes on November 2nd.
During this time, it is believed that the souls of the deceased return to their families to be with them again. The holiday is meant to celebrate this return.
On October 31st, the children in Mexico make an altar for the spirits of dead children who come back for a visit. The same happens on November 1st, except for adult spirits. And on November 2nd, families go to the cemeteries to decorate the graves of their relatives.
Throughout the holiday, loved ones go to great lengths to ensure that the souls of their loved ones feel welcome upon their return. Altars are set up in homes and throughout the community with ofrendas, or offerings, of all of the deceased’s favorite foods and drinks, new toys for the children, alcohol for the adults, marigolds, candles, and more.
In addition to these offerings, families lay out pillows and blankets for their dead loved ones to rest from their long journey.
This holiday is yet another reflection of the Catholic Church’s influence on Mexican funeral traditions, as it’s related to the Roman Catholic holiday All Saint’s Day as well as All Soul’s Day.
There are a few errors on this article. First of all, and the most glaring error is the statement that Roman Catholicism originated in Spain! Note the use of the word “Roman” in that title! The Catholic Church claims its beginnings all the way back to the Apostles in the period following Christ’s resurrection. The first Council of the Church was in Jerusalem, a strong indicator of the presence of a formal Christian fellowship.
In later years, Peter, considered to be the leader of the Apostles and of the ‘Church” traveled to Roman where he converted people to the Christian faith. He was looked upon as the head of the Church even when living in Rome. After his death, a new bishop was named to shepherd the Romans. His appointment was looked upon as a successor to Peter and he had great influence throughout the Church. Over a period of a hundred years or so, each successive bishop of Rome was looked upon as Peter’s successor and the influence and pre-eminence of the Bishop of Rome increasingly grew. By the third century, the Bishop of Rome was universally accepted as the head of the Church. In some areas of the east however, he was often referred to as the “first among equals”. The Western part of the Church rejected that terminology.
The second error is the statement that keeping of the ashes at home or other places is “against the faith’ is not true. There is no doctrinal reason that Catholics must bury ashes. There are local rules of bishops that prohibit such activity but that makes it is a violation of Church regulations not doctrine. In modern times, those regulations are often relaxed or ignored as current customs change how people want to remember and honor their deceased love ones.
Perhaps the author simply meant that for Mexico, Roman Catholicism came from Spain, which is the birthplace of much of Mexican culture, interwoven with the Aztec. And, perhaps the author meant that “Mexican Catholicism ” was not in favor of cremation. I think she was talking about Mexican Catholicism, not all of Roman Catholicism. Just my interpretation.Susan