This website discusses funerals in Africa. In Africa death is thought of as a rite of passage that prepares the spirit of the deceased to journey on to the next realm. The website talks about burial practices and thoughts on the after life. There are also pictures of objects that Africans deem an important part of the funeral. They are used to nurture, protect and remember the deceased.
The above picture is a pottery vessel called abusua kuruwa, which means "family pot." The snake that is wrapped around the pot symbolizes that death will come to us all. The lid is a human head that symbolizes a portrait of the deceased. Family members put hair and nail clippings into the pot and then they take it to the cemetery with food and wine. This is done so that the deceased can continue to grow and live.
I thought this was a very interesting website. I found it odd that the family members would cut pieces of their hair and fingernails as a way to honor the deceased. It makes sense though since these are two parts of the body that continuously grow.
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