September 2002
The Director - Features
Hispanic Funeral Customs
A comparison of Mexican-American and Colombian funeral customs, along with suggestions for better serving the Hispanic community
According to the U.S. Census 2000, the largest minority population belongs to people of Hispanic origin. Although this population might share the same language, Spanish, they might be of any race. Furthermore, their spiritual belief systems might vary depending upon their current or historic country of origin. Therefore, as they plan for honoring the departure or their loved ones, cultural differences might emerge and need to be considered.
Hispanic Funeral Customs, written by Leslie A. Koepke, focuses upon Hispanic subgroups – Mexican-American and Colombian. In the article, the funeral practices of Mexican-American families are compared to those of Colombian families. Suggestions for culturally sensitive practices about funeral customs are also presented. Koepke is a professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
