De Todo

Bahá'í
Bahá'í followers view life on earth as a preparation for life in the next world. Embalming is not allowed, and cremation is forbidden. Interment must take place within one hour's drive from the place where death occurs.

As there are no clergy in the Bahá'í religion, the service is conducted by the family or other Bahá'í members and would take place either at a Baha'i chapel or at thegrave side. Women and men are permitted to sit together and no head covering is required. It is considered appropriate to send flowers or cards. Attendees should dress respectfully, according to their culture. Mourners would usually wear dark colours and no makeup.

Buddhism
Most Buddhist funerals take place in a funeral home, not a temple. It is appropriate to send flowers. Only one night ofviewing the body is held and this generally takes place the evening before the funeral. Shoes are left on; footwear is removed only in temples.

Inside the funeral home, a table is set up with candles and incense which burn until the body is moved to the cemetery. The family sits at the front of the room in which the casket is placed. Visitors greet the family, offer their condolences, then go tothe casket and bow. They may then either stay and sit for a while or leave, according to personal preference. Visitors will often make a financial donation to the family.

The funeral service, held the following day, is conducted by a monk. There will be a lot of prayers and chanting in which visitors are not expected to participate. Men and women sit together. No headgear is required.

Whilewhite is the colour of grieving for the family, friends often wear black.

Christianity: Roman Catholic
There are many cultural variations in the practise of Roman Catholicism, but there are some constants. One such constant is that the body is usually viewed in a funeral home, then transported to a church for a funeral mass.

At some point during visiting hours in a funeral home, officialprayers will be led by a priest. Visitors may join in, or sit quietly, but it's considered disrespectful to talk or to leave. The prayers usually lasts about 15 minutes.

Catholic adherents bow at the knee when they enter the church, a gesture which a non-believer should not imitate. Only believers should take communion, but everyone should rise and kneel at appropriate times throughout theservice.

Friends of the family will often send flowers, sympathy cards and/or give donations. Catholics may also purchase mass cards which would be displayed in the funeral home.
Only those closest to the family would go to the cemetery.

Christianity: Protestant
While there are a multitude of denominations within Protestantism, all revolve around the Christian theme that there is life afterdeath.

Funeral services most commonly take place at a funeral home, although some may be held in a church. There are generally visiting hours arranged one day prior to the actual funeral. Funerals usually take place within three days of the death.

Sending flowers, cards and charitable donations in the name of the deceased are appropriate displays of sympathy to the family. Today, it's unusualfor people to wear the colour black, or to cover their head.

A minister will usually conduct the service, although increasingly there is more participation from family and friends in the actual service. Visitors are not expected to participate, although some services include a time for spontaneous testimonials about the life of the deceased.

Christianity: Mormonism
Funerals held by members ofThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly referred to as "Mormons"), although solemn and grieving occasions, also project a spirit of hope based on anticipation of reunion with the deceased after this life. Services are usually held in an LDS chapel or a mortuary under the direction of the local church leaders. Circumstances also may dictate a memorial service or a graveside...