Differences in culture, even at the end.

In general, our DNA differs from another person by about 0.01%. Similar as we are, the way think and act are vastly different. This is even more distinct when we compare people from different cultures.

I recall, when I was younger (and much more ignorant), there was a time my Muslim friend’s relative passed away. Feeling concerned for him, I gave him a call to convey my condolences.

After a few minutes into the call, I asked him, “So when will be the burial?”

He promptly replied, “Later… We are transporting the body in an hour’s time.”

For a moment I thought I heard his reply wrongly. I was quite shocked. I then asked him for the reason in doing so. He mentioned that it was part of the burial tradition to bury the deceased on the day of his/her death. When I met him a few weeks later, I then found out that it was important for them to do so as it signifies the return back to nature. There are only a few hours for members of kin to give their respects before burial processes begin.

Contrast this to the funeral of a traditional Chinese family. The deceased will be embalmed and placed in a coffin for up to a week. I learnt later that this was to make it possible for relatives and friends from various parts of China to send their last regards before the body was to be buried (or cremated, in Singapore’s context).