Early Hebrew Funeral Practices

Death Beliefs

• basar (flesh)

• nefesh (breath)

• Sheol

• 150 BC

Readings Question #1

• Describe how the early Hebrews prepared their dead. What was the preferred method of disposition and when did it take place? Why?

Readings Question #2

• What were the mourning customs for the early Hebrews?

Place of Burial

• Tombs: simple, unadorned

• Graves: single chamber (recess graves)sunken grave (stone cover)bench gravetrench grave

Bench Grave

Early Christian Funeral Practices

Death Beliefs

• Soul: spiritual and immortal• Resurrection• Cremation• “Equality” in Death• Death as “Sleep”• Primitive Burial Customs

Readings Question #3

• What were the requirements laid down by early canon law for burial of the dead?

Readings Question #4

• Among the early Christians, who took charge of caring for the dead? What was done when death occurred?

Other Christian Funeral Customs

• Early Christians had a tendency to take over the burial practices that were performed in the countries in which Christianity was becoming established.

• washing and anointing• The Wake• Requiem Mass and Holy Communion

Readings Question #5

• Describe the early Christian funeral procession and the interment service.

Early Christian Cemeteries

• catacombs: originated in ancient Rome as excavated cemeteries cut out of soft rock for the tombs of wealthy Christians; later became a place for religious rites to avoid persecution”

“The Little Vatican” Catacomb

• 9 popes and 8 dignitaries of Rome’s 3rd century church

“Cubicle of the Sacraments” Catacomb

• 5 small chambers (family tombs) with 3rd century frescoes depicting the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist

Readings Question #6

• Describe what influence the 4th century Christian church had on Christian burial practices.

Funeral Functionaries

• brethren of the dead and clergy• Constantine: state assumed responsibility• Burial parties• After the 4th century, funeral service became

part of the wider operation of an urban-type society.

Ancient Scandinavian Funeral Practices

Readings Question #7

• What were two important themes surrounding cremation in the Ancient Scandinavian tradition?

• “Stone Ships”

Readings Question #8

• Describe the Scandinavian practice of ship burial during the Viking Age in Norway.

Mound Burial

• “ancient Viking custom; after deceased was placed in his boat with items necessary for the spirit to maintain the position held on earth, all was cremated and the pyre then covered with earth”