After looking into Irish funerary customs, I found a lot of differences about their outlook of death as compared to the American Outlook. In America, wakes are usually just within one afternoon, and are short lived. However, Irish wakes consist of three days full of upbeat music, games, and laughter. In Ireland, they celebrate the life of loved ones and spend the days after their death remembering them. However, it seems as if we Americans are afraid of reminisce the life of our loved ones how have passed, and just try to get over their death. Although Irish customs are seen as disrespectful or impolite within the America's societal norms, Ireland has been performing these customs for years. Within American culture, it is hard to understand the Irish unique traditions. However, we should to be opened minded in understanding the reasoning behind their ideas of death. I believe that in the end it would allow us to deal with death within much healthier circumstances.
Being Irish, I have learned a lot about my heritage through this blog, and realized that my family has a brighter outlook on death than I do. Learning about their use of music, and humor made me realize that there can be a positive outlook amongst death. Understanding their laments, and other funerary games provided their versions of mourning. But what was most astounding to me within all my research was the thought of celebrating ones death. Because the Irish focus on memories of their deceased loved ones rather than their actual death, they allow themselves to celebrate a lifetime and forget the bad times. This concept was most important to me because it helped to lessen my fear of death and all that has to come with it. My research allowed me to justify my opinions of death, and taught me to enjoy my life rather than to live being scared of dying. Therefore in the end, I hope that my loved ones will remember the good times rather than the bad and find ways to celebrate my life in laughter and memories rather than in sorrow and grief.
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Reading your blog reminded me of Buddhist funeral ceremonies in Vietnam. While some of the intricate events are different i.e. music, etc. the basic ideas are still the same. In our ceremonies, there is first a period of intense mourning and cry but it is then followed by a period of intense joy and drinking. The think one of the main differences between these two ceremonies is that Vietnamese Buddhist funerals are more spiritually based, complete with temples monks and incense and ritual chanting. Vietnamese Buddhists also have a “deathday” as well. Every year on the day that a loved one passed away, their remaining family will cook a feast for them, lay out a nice table setting, light incense and prayer for the family’s continual good health, and for the decease spirit s’ eternal peace. On these days, family and friends gather together to recount stories from the past and remember all of the good times that they had with the loved one. The food is laid out for a period of time so that the spirits of the deceased can take their time to enjoy it and each other’s companies. The incense is believed to carry our prayers and hopes up to our ancestors. I always enjoy performing these ceremonies because of the notions that are behind it. I like that it is a way for me and my family to somehow still have contact with my ancestors; it’s a reminder that they are always there watching and protecting us and to live a good and respectful life to not upset the ancestors.
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