It is generally accepted in Africa that the dead will be buried. There is no extensive tradition of cremation of the dead. If a person who dies is not buried in the Earth, he or she might be left in a tree or hidden in a cave, but burning a corpse is unheard of in most societies. Those who have violated the values and norms of society are often banished in death away from the common burial area.

There is a communal attachment quality to the idea of burial of the dead. The dead person remains a member of the family and has force that will be used in support of the living community. Therefore, the death is not considered an individual experience, and the burial ...