

Traditional ritual practices in Italy were based on folk beliefs. Italians leave offerings for souls that come at night on the Day of the Dead, not unlike Mexican traditions with an Ofrenda. They believe that life after death is like another journey, with the soul continuing to see, hear and taste. Italians have many celebrations for their saints and their deceased loved ones, celebrating on other culturally shared days like All Saints' Day and Day of the Dead. Roman Catholics believe in heaven, hell, or purgatory after death. The modern Italian view on death is rooted in Roman Catholicism, given its lengthy history in the country. Prior to 1984, the Italian government was firmly connected to the church. The Vatican is the headquarters of the Pope (leader of the Roman Catholic church) and its government. Italy is home to Vatican City, the smallest independent city-state in the world. Brainstorm with your funeral director, event planner, or religious leader to help you figure out the logistics or any limitations. If you are planning your loved one’s funeral or are simply interested in Italian funerals, here are some details about the rituals and etiquette involved.ĬOVID-19 tip: If you're planning a virtual Italian funeral using a service like GatheringUs, you can still adapt many of these Italian or Italian-American traditions, like songs, prayers, and even traditional funeral food, to include your online guests.

At most large events, it is expected for extended family members and friends to attend, no matter how far they live. The existence of strong community connections is one of the most common denominators for people around the world who tend to live longer.īut in particular, the closeness of Italian families is commonly reflected in any large family celebration, from marriage ceremonies to funeral services. The best reflection of their relationship is in the 'Roseto Effect.' In the '90s, Researchers found that the Italian-American Roseto Community had a low mortality rate, noting that any incidents of heart attacks were much lower than their neighbors. Within each region and city, Italian culture is built around close-knit communities.

In fact, over 80 percent of Italians identify as Catholic, so you'll see a lot of similarities to traditional Catholic funerals. Italy contains the highest number of Catholic parishes in the world, and it’s not surprising that Roman Catholicism permeates every facet of Italian life. The rich culture and history of Italy are impossible to separate from the strong religious influence of the Roman Catholic Church.

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