specifies washing, dressing, and positioning of the
body. The first step is traditional washing of the body
by a Muslim of the same gender (Minarik, 1996).HAITIAN AMERICANS
Some Haitian Americans practice vodun(voodoo), also
called “root medicine.” Derived from Roman Catholic
rituals and cultural practices of western Africa (Benin
and Togo) and Sudan, vodunis the practice of calling
on a group of spirits with whom one periodically
makes peace during specific events in life. The death
of a loved one may be such a time. This practice can be
found in several states (Alabama, Louisiana, Florida,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia) and in some
communities within New York City.
CHINESE AMERICANS
The largest Asian population in the United States,
the Chinese have strict norms for announcing death,
preparing the body, arranging the funeral and burial,
and mourning after burial. Burning incense and read-
ing scripture are ways to assist the spirit of the de-
ceased in the afterlife journey. If the deceased and
family are Buddhists, meditating before a shrine in
the room is important. For 1 year after death, the fam-
ily may place bowls of food on a table for the spirit.
JAPANESE AMERICANS
Buddhist Japanese Americans view death as a life
passage. Close family members bathe the deceased
with warm water and dress the body in a white kimono
after purification rites. For 2 days, family and friends
bearing gifts may visit or offer money for the de-
ceased while saying prayers and burning incense.
FILIPINO AMERICANS
Most Filipino Americans are Catholic, and wearing
black clothing or armbands is customary during
mourning depending on how close one was to the de-
ceased. Family and friends place wreaths on the cas-
ket and drape a broad black cloth on the home of the
deceased. Family members commonly place announce-
ments in local newspapers asking for prayers and
blessings on the soul of the deceased.
VIETNAMESE AMERICANS
Vietnamese Americans are predominately Buddhists,
who bathe the deceased and dress him or her in black
clothes. They may put a few grains of rice in the mouth
and place money with the deceased so that he or she
can buy a drink as the spirit moves on in the after-
life. The body may be displayed for viewing in the
home before burial. When friends enter, music is
played as a way to warn the deceased of the arrival.HISPANIC AMERICANS
Hispanic or Latino Americans have their origins in
Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican
Republic. They are predominately Roman Catholic.
They pray for the soul of the deceased during a novena
(9-day devotion) and a rosary (devotional prayer).
They manifest luto(mourning) by wearing black or
black and white and keeping a subdued manner.
Respect for the deceased may include not watching
TV, going to the movies, listening to the radio, or at-
tending dances or other social events for some time.
Friends and relatives bring flowers and crosses to
decorate the grave.
Guatamalan Americans may include a marimba
band in the funeral procession and services. Lighting
candles and blessing the deceased during a wake in
the home are common practices.NATIVE AMERICANS
Ancient beliefs and practices influence the more than
500 Native American tribes in the United States
even though many are now Christian. A tribe’s med-
icine man or priestly healer, who assists the friends
and family of the deceased to regain their spiritual
equilibrium, is an essential spiritual guide.Cere-
monies of baptism for the spirit of the deceased seem
to help ward off depression that those grieving may
experience. Perceptions about the meaning of death
and its effects on family and friends are as varied as
the number of tribal communities.
Viewing death as a state of unconditional love
in which the spirit of the deceased remains present
comforts the Cherokee tribe and encourages move-
ment toward life’s purpose of being happy and living
in harmony with nature and others. The Navajo tribe
believes in and fears ghosts; death signifies the end
of all that is good so they must avoid touching the
body of the deceased. The Dakota believe in a happy
afterlife called the land of the spirits; they believe
that proper mourning is essential not only for the
soul of deceased but also to protect members of the
community. To designate the end of mourning, they
hold a ceremony at burial grounds where they cover
the grave with a blanket or cloth for making clothes
and later give the cloth to a tribe member. They serve
a dinner during which they sing, make speeches, and
give away money.ORTHODOX JEWISH AMERICANS
An Orthodox Jewish custom is for a relative to stay
with a dying person so that the soul does not leave12 GRIEF ANDLOSS 247