The psychological function of music in mourning rituals : examples from three continents

Manifestations of grief vary in different cultures, between different individuals, and over time (Jalland, 2006). However, one key part of the grieving process in nearly all cultures is the use of rituals in various stages of the grieving process (Reeves & Boersma, 1989-1990). While there has been some increasing interest in the use of physical mementoes and their role in mourning, research into other ways people memorialise the deceased, such as with music, has thus far been limited (Doss, 2006; Woodthorpe, 2011).