In some parts of Africa the corpse is bathed and dresses as well. Thus, the body is bathed and dressed in a manner to represent these beliefs of travel for a difficult journey. Therefore, although the ritual of 'grooming' of the deceased for burial may look similar for both Americans and Africans the symbolic aignificance of the rituals are quite different. It is true that death is universal. Although, we can see that death touches lives across all cultures, it would seem to be neglectful to dismiss the cultural context where the rituals that surround death take place.
Death rituals are universal, across all cultures.
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