Special burial practices for suicide in North America

Abstract

Extensive previous research has been done to compare methods of burial between societies, but little has been done to observe variation within a society as relating to one method of death: suicide. This paper will focus on the different patterns and rituals involved in different groups processing the body after death, focusing on suicide. A society's value of individuality and their view of life affect the manner in which a suicide is viewed. The values, morals, laws, and rules of the society are of importance when a person who has committed suicide is to be considered. The widest variation of societal views comes from separate religious groups. Often the religious majority or the make up of a group of people will affect the views and rules over them. This paper focuses on the largest religions in North America to determine how and why there are differing methods of burial using archaeology, forensic anthropology along with historical records in order to interperate suicide burials.