ARTS CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT
Death and Dying in Costa Rica
Where Religious Tradition Meets Practical Necessity
F
uneral and burial practices in Costa Rica differ widely from those of western cultures. As Catholics by tradition, Costa Ricans believe the soul leaves the body at the moment of death so the deceased needs to be left alone to decompose. Embalming is rarely done, so immediate internment is necessary. Bodies may be stacked in graves and later moved to accommodate more bodies. This too is associated with revering the departed soul over their mortal remains. For insight, here is an overview of typical funeral events following the death of a Costa Rican community member.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
A vela, something akin to a wake, is taking place in Funeraria Atenas for an elderly woman who died the night before at the local clinic. Family members and friends are viewing her body in a chair-filled room, lifting their small children in attendance to view her. The children gaze without fear into the face of the lady.
by Mary Martin Mason Adapted by the author from her article published in Atenas Today, October 2015
Hearing the news As is traditional, this woman’s body has not been embalmed so burial, by necessity, must occur as soon as possible. Friends and family learned of her death through word of mouth. If she had been a woman of means, her obituary would have been printed in La Nación. A news announcement was aired on television as happens several times daily when Ticos stop everything and look up at the screen to see if someone they know has died. Family members have been at Funeraria Atenas all night, dressing and preparing the deceased woman’s body. For this funeral, the cause of death was determined by attending doctors at the clinic, so there was no need for an autopsy. In cases of accidental death or suicide, or if there is any question of cause, the police must be called, and most probably an autopsy must be performed by a pathologist.
By law, at least one family member must be present at the time the remains are removed.