Faith was the central theme of songs, dramas, and stories used in coping, which included messages of the importance of God, faith, good neighborliness, a willingness to forgive, and perseverance. The worship songs at the Baptist Church in Butare seem to place a heavy emphasis on getting to heaven where everything will finally be right. Belief in the Afterlife. Belief in the afterlife was observed as a major source of comfort for Rwandan Christians in the midst of their loss of family members and other loved ones. As part of this, many families consecrate a gravesite by marking it with a cross, which has become a focal point for the grief process.
Relatives visit the gravesites and there offer prayers for the deceased.
Corporate identity in mourning also composes an element of Rwandans evident faith. A national time of mourning over the genocide takes place in Rwanda from April 1-6. On April 6 th , the national observation of Icyunamo marks the culmination of this mourning period. On this day, people gather in public places where all denominations of Christians, as well as Muslims, are represented. Clergy lead speeches and prayers, and people engage in practices of mourning such as shaving their heads and dressing in rent clothing to express sadness.