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Korean Death rituals
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Korean Death Rituals Everyone dies in the end and the customs and rites performed by the living vary depending upon ethnic beliefs, myths, and sometimes from religious ceremonies adopted from, or imposed by, any conquering tribe or race (Spencer 1991). I decided to describe the views and practices regarding death of the Korean people. I have first hand knowledge to add to the essay because I spent an extended period of time there while I was in the military. I had the opportunity to attend the last rites and funeral of a friend’s relative so I can describe from personal experience what I have seen and what I experienced. It is common for Koreans to believe that if a person dies from either illness or natural causes outside the home, their spirit will roam aimlessly then will eventually become a ghost ( gaekgwi ) (Woo 2000). Many Koreans take precautions to ensure that a relative who is near death is brought home. It is very important that family members surround the relative before they pass on. It is also interesting to know that Confucian norms are part of this last right. It is customary that women are not allowed to witness the death throes of a male relative and men are not allowed to witness the passing of a woman relative. (Huhm 1995) When death finally came it is customary for the people who were present at the final moments of the departed one to wail ( gok ) (Woo 2000). The purpose of gok is to provide a means of expressing the sorrow and sadness of losing someone close to you. The mourners wear simple clothing appropriate to the occasion. The men wore sleeveless coats and the women would remove all jewelry and accessories and they refrained from even combing their hair.
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