Here you can learn what to expect when attending the funeral services of a different religion or culture. Information includes an overview of each group's beliefs concerning death and the afterlife. How they regard grief and unique aspects of their funeral ceremonies and customs are also discussed.

Christian Denomonations
Assemblies of God | Baptist | Catholic | Christian | Christian Orthodox | Christian Scientist | Episcopal | Greek Orthodox | Jehovah Witness | Lutheran | Methodist | Mormon | Presbyterian | United Church of Christ

Other Religious Groups
Baha'i | Buddhist | Hindu | Islam | Jewish

Ethnic Groups
African American | Humanist | Mexican American | Native American

Other Funeral Customs
Wakes — Irish | Wakes — Modern | New Orleans Jazz Funerals

Inter-faith and Multi-cultural Funeral Rituals
"Adaptive" Funerals

Ask Our Experts

We consult with our panel of experts consisting of scholars, educators and clergy to answer your questions about religious and cultural customs pertaining to funerals and death. Ask our experts a question by emailing them at askexperts@funeralwise.com.


LaVone V. Hazell, MS, FT, LFD
Project Director
Palliative Care Training and Education Program, New York, NY
Specific perspectives: the influence of culture and diversity concerning death rituals and the comparison of various minority groups' practices relating to end-of-life events.

Donald Heinz, PhD
Professor of Religious Studies Emeritus
California State University, Chico, CA
Specific perspectives: rites of passage, Christianity, the Lutheran religion.

Leslie Koepke, PhD
Professor - Human Development and Family Studies
University of Wisconsin - Stout, Menomonie, WI
Specific perspectives: multi-cultural funeral customs with emphasis on Hispanic and Hmong funeral customs.

Joe Sehee
Executive Director/President
Green Burial Council, Santa Fe, NM
Specific perspectives: eco-friendly deathcare practices