Distance no impediment for funerals: Death as a uniting ritual for African people � A pastoral study

Abstract

An African funeral is a very social event for the entire community in which the deceased lived.Regardless of whether the deceased was a Christian or not, death has always been a reunion forlong-separated relatives, believers and non-believers. Nowadays, tents, cars and the gatheringof multitudes of people demonstrate how death can bring people together, irrespective ofdistance and relationships. Of course, this is not to deny the fact that death can be a cause ofdivision between relatives and friends. Nonetheless, the funeral itself is also a uniting factor;many people come together, regardless of distance, to pay their last tributes to the deceasedand to provide the bereaved family with emotional support. In this article, I argue that death,amongst other things, is a uniting factor that is able to bring people, who are separated bydistance and other factors, together. The aim of this article is to discuss how death invitespeople into a family, regardless of bad blood, flawed relationships and separation.

Scientific-theoretical research approach to practical theology in South Africa: A contemporary overview

“…He is critically researching these problems and situations, but with a deep understanding of the African culture and with a positive, pastoral inclination to the people who are involved in his research. In his article on funerals where death is a uniting ritual for African people (Baloyi 2014a), he showed the positive effects of the funerals for mourning families and extended families coming from afar to a funeral. The article started with examples of how people came from far to attend the death of the Mozambican citizen Mido Macia'at the hands of the South African Police, and the death of the South African national soccer team's assistant coach (Baloyi 2014a:1).…”

Practices following the death of a loved one reported by adults from 14 countries or cultural/ethnic group

“…After a death, those with common bonds, such as religion or ethnic origin, perform rituals to recognize the death and honour the deceased and the family. Rituals can legitimize grief, provide an arena where the death is acknowledged and its finality is accepted, create a safe place for mourners to express emotion, maintain a connection with other family and friends and with the deceased and help the bereaved to continue their own functioning (Baloyi, 2014; Gudmundsdottir & Chesla, 2006). Ritual practices after the death of a loved one include dealing with the deceased's remains, holding wakes, funerals, burials and gathering celebrations that can differ across cultures, religions, race and ethnicity, socio‐economic group and ages of the deceased (Reeves, 2011).…”

“…Ritual practices after the death of a loved one include dealing with the deceased's remains, holding wakes, funerals, burials and gathering celebrations that can differ across cultures, religions, race and ethnicity, socio‐economic group and ages of the deceased (Reeves, 2011). Attending these death events is often seen as a family obligation (Baloyi, 2014; Schoulte, 2011). Family members unable to attend often experience feelings of loneliness and isolation (Contro et al., 2010).…”

“…African Americans gather for prayer and meditation to help the dead transition to the afterlife and to the spirit world (Baloyi, 2014). Death is viewed as transitioning to a new type of life.…”

“…The tradition of providing meals to the grieving family starts with the wake and concludes with a formal meal after the funeral service. Attending the funeral is a uniting factor, an obligation and in African tradition, not attending may bring misfortune (Baloyi, 2014).…”