Transporting
the deceased and burial rituals:
Each culture/religion has their own way of transporting the
bodies of the deceased. Some cultures prefer to ride along with their loved
ones to the morgue or funeral home, while others send the bodies to the morgue/
funeral home and only see their loved one again at the funeral. There are many
methods for transporting the deceased back home. 1) It can be by air but not
many airlines permits it 2) can be by see 3) or by vehicle. Every culture varies in their methods of
transporting the deceased and even their funerals differ.
Traditional Christian Funeral:
Traditional Christian funeral are where Christians pray for the
deceased soul, as well as to comfort and support the bereaved. The typical
Christian funerals include:
1.
Opening statements lead by the priest or minister.
Depending on the religion it may be either a prayer, a statement that shows
support to the bereaved, or a combination of both.
2.
Prayers and hymns are read and sung throughout the
funeral. Guests are often encouraged to read or sing along at appropriate
times.
3.
Scripture readings are a common part of most
services. Similar to prayer and hymns, the specific readings and their
placement in the ceremony differ by religion.
4.
A remembrance given by a close friend or family
member honors the life and gifts of the deceased.
5.
The service ends with closing words given by the
minister. He states that the service is over and leads the procession to the
cemetery.
6.
Graveside services also differ by religion, but all
services have some form of words of committal in which the minister reads a
prayer, praises Jesus and prays for the soul of the deceased.
Traditional African burial rites:
In African religions, life does not end with death, but
continues in another realm. Many African religions believe that death does not
alter nor change one’s life or their personality it only changes their
conditions. This is expressed in the concept of “ancestor”, people who have
died but “live” on in the community and communicate with their families.
Some Africans have a custom of removing a dead body through a
hole created in the wall of the house rather than through the door. Though, the
hole in the wall is closed immediately as the dead person is removed through
it. They believe that by passing the dead through the hole, it will be
impossible for the dead person to remember the way back to the living since the
hole in the wall has been closed. (Source http://blackethics.com/)
Reincarnation which is referred to the soul of a dead person
being reborn in another body is a common believe among Africans. Whenever a
child is born into a family, the father of the child makes enquiries from the
elders of the family to know the departed parent or ancestor that have
reincarnated. They believed that the dead returns to their communities.
Sometimes, reincarnates of the dead bears the dead person’s name when he/she
was alive. There could be as many as possible reincarnates of a particular dead
soul in a family. These reincarnates most time have similar characters and
physical appearance in terms of body size, complexion, facial look and mode of
movement with the dead person. In the Yoruba and Ibo ethnic groups of Nigeria,
names like Babatunde (“Reincarnated father”), Yetunde or Iyabo (“Reincarnated
mother”), Nnanna (“Reincarnated Grandfather”) and Nnenna (“Reincarnated
Grandmother”) are used for Reincarnates of their departed parents or ancestors.
(Source
http://blackethics.com/)
Traditionally the period of strict mourning is a week or can
even last a year after the burial of the deceased. During this time the
bereaved stays home and do not socialize.
Common Death Rituals:
1)
Throwing A Handful of Dirt on the Casket
It is common in many cultures for
mourners to toss a handful of dirt on the casket before leaving the cemetery.
Rarely do mourners stay to watch the entire casket being buried by the cemetery
workers. Throwing the dirt on the grave may symbolize that mourners understand
that our bodies return to the earth.
2)
Mourning
Mourning is a common ritual when
someone dies. The process of mourning and even the amount of crying or wailing
differs among cultures. Latin cultures for example, generally cry or wail more
emphatically than others. Women cry more than men, possibly due to cultural
views that crying might show weakness.
3)
The Wake
The wake is a death ritual
practiced in many cultures. During the wake, friends or family of the deceased
sit with the corpse for several days and nights to watch and mourn. Part of the
wake is usually conducted with prayer and scripture.
4)
Dressing In Black
Dressing in black for an entire
year after the death of a spouse or close family member was common practice for
hundreds of years. It is still fairly common and acceptable to wear black or
darker colors to the funeral.
5)
Funeral Procession
Before the advent of vehicles,
mourners walked by foot to follow the pallbearers who were carrying the casket.
Today the funeral procession is done by vehicle. The hearse carrying the casket
is in front, usually following a police escort.
In many cases a loved one is first transported to a local, or
the nearest morgue/ funeral home and then subsequently transported to another
city for the memorial ceremonies and/ or burial. If this is the case then it is
best to have a local funeral home and one in the final destination city.
When it comes to transporting a loved one it is best to ensure a
save and trust worthy method to transport them back home. There will be red
tape involved but most funeral homes help with these documentations and
arrangements.
At Tough Times Transport we deliver your loved one via our
vehicles. Our quality 5-star fleet of Toyota Quantum vehicles will ensure
a safe journey to any destination in South Africa and Southern Africa
(including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland).
"We commit ourselves to the utmost professional and
respectful treatment of the deceased, the families and our customers."
Take comfort in knowing that you and your loved ones are in the
right hands...
i.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
throughout the year.
ii.
We guarantee the transport of the deceased to their
final resting place within 24 hours.
iii.
We can assist in taking care of all the legal documentation
(required by law) to make the necessary funeral arrangements such as the death
certificate etc.
iv.
Our quality 5-star fleet of vehicles consists of
Toyota Quantum's, which have been specially converted to accommodate:
A.
Full air-conditioning throughout the vehicle.
B.
Tinted windows for privacy.
C.
Four seats for family members to accompany their
loved ones (who have passed on).
D.
Four separate compartments that cater for the
transport of the deceased.
E.
Tracker system for safety of the passengers.
v.
Our rates are charged on a per quotation basis or at
a rate of R5* per kilometer (negotiable).
vi.
An industrial coffin will be supplied, should the
coffin not be ready.
vii.
We cover any destination within South Africa as well
as select countries in Southern Africa (including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe,
Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland).
viii.
Also for a minimum monthly fee per policy holder,
our service can be added to any existing insurance product. (* Excluding VAT)
What do we offer?
Repatriation: (Further than 150km)
1.
Fleet of Toyota Quantum vehicles.
2.
Refrigerated.
3.
Separate compartment seating for up to four family
members.
4.
Allowing for a short prayer within a radius of 50km.
5.
Representation throughout South Africa.
6.
Cross border Repatriation to all SADEC countries.
7.
24 Hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
availability.
8.
After hour pickups.
9.
Live satellite tracking.
10.
R5 million third party insurance.
11.
International repatriations on quotation basis.
Extras:
I.
Registration of death.
II.
Assistance with any other relative documentation.
III.
Interaction with Consulates and Dept. of Health for
Cross Borders.
IV.
Embalmment in case of cross borders.
V.
Cold Storage if needed.
