What do community death rituals often aim to achieve?

Community death rituals typically aim to strengthen community ties and address grief among the members of the community. These rituals often serve as a collective means for individuals to come together, share their experiences, and process their emotions in the wake of a loss. They provide a structured way for the community to support one another, validate feelings of sorrow, and create a sense of unity during a time of mourning.

Through shared practices, such as memorial services, wakes, or funeral ceremonies, participants engage in acts that honor the deceased while providing emotional support to each other, further solidifying communal bonds. This aspect of connecting with others aligns with the needs of individuals in communal societies, where collective experiences are paramount.

While individual reflection and solitude can be important aspects of grieving, community rituals primarily focus on fostering connections among people dealing with shared loss. In terms of addressing material possessions, these rituals tend to focus more on the relationships and memories shared with the deceased rather than the material aspects of a person's life. Discussions about death are typically central to these rituals, as they provide an opportunity for individuals to confront and express their feelings regarding mortality, rather than avoiding the subject altogether.