Farewell rituals of the Hmong: accommodating cultural tensions
Author(s):
Koepke, Leslie A.
Format:
Manuscript
Publisher:
2001.
Language:
English
Abstract:
An ethnographic study examined the spiritual beliefs and funeral practices of immigrant Hmong families. The efforts of one funeral home in accommodating the practice of Hmong beliefs are described. Because no scientific studies were found which investigated Hmong acculturation related to spiritual beliefs and funeral rituals, the results of this study will be valuable to family scholars as we examine spirituality among families and community support of those beliefs. Data were gathered by ten Hmong research assistants who conducted face-to-face interviews with 100 Hmong families in Spring 2000. Additional data were gathered from a funeral home used by Hmong families in the community to determine efforts made to provide culturally appropriate funeral services. The qualitative data were analyzed using a grounded theory method; quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Traditional Hmong farewell rituals and funeral home accommodations are described. [English Abstract] (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)