1. Death Beliefs and Burial Customs (Canine page 23)
American Indians
Death Beliefs and
Burial Customs
(Canine page 23)

2. Santee Sioux Dakotas, Nebraska, Montana, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Death Beliefs: 4 souls
2 souls served old Sioux funeral rites
1 soul never leaves the body/vicinity
1 soul sets out on 4 day journey to the land of the spirits

3. When Death Occurs tearing/renting garments cut their hair
inflict pain on themselves
men paint their face black
fire single gunshot into the air

4. Preparation of the Deceased
women perform this task
face painted red
hair trimmed
dressed in their best clothing

5. Platform constructed by men for temporary burial
clipped horse and human hair
represented the “Air” stage of burial
deceased left on platform for 1 year
food and gifts

6. Community Mound Burial
shallow grave: “Earth” stage
graves fenced in to keep away dogs and wolves

7. Four-Day Rites First Day: families gather
food is brought and eaten
possessions burned if not suitable
Second, Third, and Fourth Day:
quiet and sober
food passed through cedar smoke

8. Mourning end of the Four-Day Rites child: usually 1 season
adult: usually 1 year

9. Lakota Tribe
3 distinct ceremonies surrounding the death of Tribe members

10. “Wacekiyapi” (First) 4 day mourning period burial scaffold
deceased placed on scaffold after 4 days
belongings placed on scaffold

11. “Spirit Keeping Ceremony” (Second)
elaborate
lasts 1 year
portable tipi
lock of hair wrapped with special clothing: “spirit bundle”
bowl to feed the spirit

12. Third Ceremony after 1 year to release the spirit special clothing
painted likeness of the deceased
pole is dressed in new garments
pipe ceremony and prayer
tribe elder or medicine man will close the ceremony: “Spirit Road”
feast
“community burial mound”

13. White Buffalo Ceremony
most elaborate of the burial rituals
done in conjunction with the “Spirit Keeping Ceremony”
white buffalo skin
skin is adorned with various symbols
headdress for the tribe leaders