An objective, field?grounded guide to North American Indian mortuary customs, focused on what the people themselves say and do. This introductory work explains how to study death rites with care and respect, avoiding guesswork.
It outlines the topics researchers should observe and record, from the care of the body and burial methods to the gifts given to the dead, mourning practices, and beliefs about life and the world to come. The text emphasizes gathering explanations from Indians themselves and treating all accounts with verification and fairness.
- What to observe and document when studying funerary practices
- How to engage respectfully with living observers and communities
- The importance of grounding conclusions in facts observed by researchers
- Strategies for evaluating sources and avoiding biased or anecdotal reports
Ideal for readers new to ethnology, students of anthropology, and anyone interested in the cultural meanings of death rites.