Funerals and Mourning Rituals

From specialized song-forms for the funerals of children in Latin America to the polyphonic laments of Georgia, music has long had a key role to play in rituals of death. In this chapter Garrido and Davidson consider a number of examples from both European and non-European cultures and their transformation in colonized nations. The authors trace historical changes in attitudes to life, death, religion and personal expression, in considering the path that funeral music choices have taken in the past and in the modern day. The function of music in coming to terms with death and loss and in creating ongoing connections with lost loved ones is also discussed.