Celebrating and reflecting on death

Different cultures celebrate and mourn in almost as many unique ways as there are unique cultures.
Ancient Egyptians believed that many parts of life were carried over into death, and many Pharaohs were buried with their possessions, sometimes even with servants, and other tools they might need in the afterlife. 
Some ancient cultures burned their dead on funeral pyres, such as Ancient Greeks believed that there was a journey in the afterlife one must undertake, including being ferried across the river Styx by an eternal boatman.

The ancient Vikings thought that  life mirrored what would happen to them in  the afterlife. They believed that to die in battle gave the person gratitude and guarenteed and eternity of hapiness.
Christians believe the dead will be seen again one day in the future and often celebrate the passing on of a life through wakes, as part of dealing with their grief.
Many funerals are associated with flowers, almost as though the flowers are taking over the whole part of the ceremony/ passing of life. Flowers are very much used within funerals as many people beleve they can show life and the passing of life as the flower slowly goes brown and crisps around the egdes of the petals.