FAQs
Guests join in with gospel songs and hymns, singing, clapping, and raising their hands in worship. An open casket is common, showcasing the deceased in fine attire and decorated with flower arrangements and luxurious fabrics.
What does homegoing mean in African American culture? ›
A homegoing (or home-going) service is an African-American and Black-Canadian Christian funeral tradition marking the going home of the deceased to the Lord or to Heaven.
What is the meaning of homegoing funeral? ›
The 'homegoing' is a time-honored Christian funeral or memorial rite among the African American community. In this beloved ceremony, friends and family celebrate the departed "going home" to be with the Lord.
What is the African tradition when someone dies? ›
In traditional African thought of death, the grieving process is characterized by rituals such as the bereaved family members shav- ing their hair, and the slaughtering of a domestic animal. Different rituals are performed depending on who is the deceased and how they have died.
What color do you wear to an African funeral? ›
This is because culturally, the colour black is seen as the colour of mourning and loss. It is seen as a sign of respect when you show that you are mourning through your choice of funeral attire.
What colors to wear to a funeral besides black? ›
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
Where did the tradition of black funerals come from? ›
The History of Wearing Black To A Funeral
Ancient Romans would wear their togas in dark black to show their respect for a loved one. They would mourn the deceased in what was known as a toga pulla, a name for their black toga—ever since then, wearing black to funerals has become a ritual in most nations today.
What happens at a black wake? ›
Many wakes take place at the funeral parlor, but have been known to take place at the church or the home of the deceased. This is a time when everyone gathers and eats food cooked by the family members, and shares memories of the deceased. Two viewing days may be arranged for the wake.
What happens at a homegoing service? ›
This type of service is an upbeat and joyous celebration that includes much singing and praising the Lord. At a homegoing celebration, family members, friends, and the community, rejoice. They take part in the joyous celebration, knowing that their loved-one has returned to the comfort of heaven.
What is a good quote for a funeral? ›
Inspiring celebration of life quotes touch on how to live life to the fullest and remind us to love each day.
- People living deeply have no fear of death. — ...
- To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. — ...
- No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away. —
Some common names you may hear is a funeral bulletin, order of service program, funeral pamphlet, or obituary program. No matter what it is called the premise remains the same. Funeral programs are printed keepsakes that highlight a loved one's life by including information and photos within its contents.
Why do funeral homes put gloves on deceased? ›
The most common reason is because there has been trauma to the hands or maybe decomposition has begun, including the skin beginning to slip off.
What are the traditions for black American funerals? ›
An open casket is common at a Black funeral, and emotions can span the range from somber and melancholic to hopeful or even rapturous. Music plays an extremely important part in setting the tone. Filled with spirit and moved by song, guests may sing, clap, raise their hands in praise and prayer, or even dance.
What is the color of mourning in Africa? ›
Many people in South Africa wear red during their mourning periods. Sadly, the color is associated with bloodshed. The people of Ghana wear red for public mourning, but there is one major caveat: it's a color that can only be worn by the deceased's immediate family. Black is worn by everyone else.
Why do people do 40 days after death? ›
Many modern Greek-Orthodox individuals believe the soul lingers on Earth until the 40th day. Others simply believe it's important to pay respects to the dead on these historic days. Either way, this tradition is a way to bring families and congregations together.
Where did the tradition of wearing black at funerals come from? ›
The History of Wearing Black To A Funeral
Ancient Romans would wear their togas in dark black to show their respect for a loved one. They would mourn the deceased in what was known as a toga pulla, a name for their black toga—ever since then, wearing black to funerals has become a ritual in most nations today.
Is it disrespectful to not wear black at a funeral? ›
Black Is Traditional Funeral Wear
Other colors are fine to use as long as they aren't garish or jarring. Funerals are not the appropriate place for some hues, such as those with primary solid or secondary colors like red, yellow, or pink. Darker shades of grey, blue, emerald, white, and ivory can also work.
What is a crowning ceremony at a black funeral? ›
The act of a crowning ceremony, even removed from the context of homegoing, is to offer a final gift of grace to the deceased which they may not have received in life, serving as a recognition of their importance in the lives of others and a crowning of the life they lived.
How many days do you wear black when mourning? ›
The immediate family members of the deceased wear black for an extended time. Since the 1870s, mourning practices for some cultures, even those who have emigrated to the United States, are to wear black for at least two years, though lifelong black for widows remains in some parts of Europe.
On April 7, 2017, my family and I hosted a home-going to celebrate the life of my great aunt. A home-going is a traditional African American, Christian funeral service held to rejoice the deceased person’s returning to heaven, and this elaborate funeral ritual has a deep history dating back to the arrival of African slaves in America in the 1600s. There are several aspects that set this service apart from the traditional funeral, including the week-long visitation to the bereaved family’s home, the wake, and the elaborate funeral procession. About a week prior to the service, a plethora of friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members who live in different areas of the world travel to visit the bereaved family every day to offer their condolences (the same people may or may not visit the family every day). A wake is then held for the deceased between 2 to 3 days prior to the funeral, and this allows family members and friends to have few personal moments with the deceased. On the day of the funeral, a group of police escorts arrive to the bereaved family’s house, and the family is escorted to the church. During this process, the family bypasses certain traffic laws, such as passing through red lights. At the church, some of the women of the family act as flower girls, and their job is to remove the elaborate bouquets of flowers that will be placed on the casket during the funeral. The service itself is often an emotional, high energy event that entails family members singing African American hymns and a boisterous eulogy by the pastor. Afterwards, the funeral procession travels to the gravesite, and people wait until the body is partially buried before leaving to return to the church or to the family’s house to dine with one another.