Funeral customs vary widely between cultures and even within cultures.
A good example of this in the United States is the custom of "Jazz Funerals" in New Orleans, Louisiana.
A jazz funeral happens in two parts: a mourning the death part and a celebrating the life part.
The tradition arises from African spiritual practices, French and Spanish martial musical traditions, and uniquely African-American cultural influences. The tradition was widespread among New Orleanians across ethnic boundaries at the start of the 20th century.
Funeral flower arrangements for a Jazz Funeral should be festive.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A typical jazz funeral begins with a march by the family, friends, and a brass band from the home, funeral home or church to the cemetery. Throughout the march, the band plays somber dirges, hymns. A change in the tenor of the ceremony takes place, after the deceased is either buried, or the hearse leaves the procession and members of the procession say their final good bye and they "cut the body loose". After this the music becomes more upbeat, often starting with a hymn or spiritual number played in a swinging fashion, then going into popular hot tunes. There is raucous music and cathartic dancing where onlookers join in to celebrate the life of the deceased.
Some younger funk and hip hop oriented brass bands often dispense with the dirges and hymns all together, or perform only one (usually "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," the only such tune still in the repertoire of some such bands).
All
