Cultural and religious practices

Respecting each tradition

Portugal is an increasingly multicultural country. Understanding the funeral practices of different religious and cultural traditions helps to respect the wishes of the deceased and their family, and to provide appropriate support to those who are grieving.

Catholic

Roman Catholic tradition

Majority in Portugal (~80% of the population)

The Catholic tradition is the most common in Portugal and deeply influences the country's funeral customs.

Rituals and ceremonies

→ Wake (Velatorio): The night before the funeral, at home or in the mortuary chapel
→ Funeral mass: Religious ceremony before the burial
→ Burial or cremation: The Church accepts both (cremation permitted since 1963)
→ 7th day mass: One week after the death
→ Month and year mass: At the 1-month and 1-year marks

Mourning period

→ Strict mourning: 1 year (traditionally, wearing black)
→ Half-mourning: Additional 6 months (dark colours)
→ All Souls' Day: 2 November, visiting the cemetery
→ Annual masses in memory of the deceased
→ These traditions are increasingly less strict among younger generations

Muslim

Islamic tradition

Growing community in Portugal

Islam has very specific procedures for the treatment of the body and the funeral, which should be carried out as quickly as possible.

Rituals and ceremonies

→ Ghusl: Ritual washing of the body by members of the same sex
→ Kafan: Wrapping the body in simple white cloths
→ Salat al-Janazah: Funeral prayer at the mosque or beside the body
→ Quick burial: Ideally within 24 hours (without coffin, facing Mecca)
→ Cremation is prohibited in Islamic tradition

Mourning period

→ 3 days: General mourning for all family members
→ 40 days: Period of prayer and remembrance
→ Iddah: 4 months and 10 days for widows
→ Moderate expressions of sorrow are encouraged
→ Condolence visits to the family in the first days

In Portugal: The Islamic Community of Lisbon and the Islamic Cultural Centre can guide families through the procedures. Muslim sections exist in some Portuguese cemeteries.

Jewish

Jewish tradition

Historic community in Portugal

Judaism has a highly structured mourning process, from the funeral through to the gradual return to normal life.

Rituals and ceremonies

→ Chevra Kadisha: Burial society that prepares the body
→ Tahara: Ritual washing of the body
→ Tachrichim: Simple white shroud
→ Quick burial: Ideally on the same day (not on Shabbat)
→ Cremation not recommended in most Jewish traditions
→ Keriah: Tearing a garment as a sign of mourning

Mourning period

→ Shiva (7 days): Mourners stay at home, receive visits and pray
→ Shloshim (30 days): Gradual resumption of activities, no parties or music
→ 12 months: For the death of a parent, mourning extends
→ Kaddish: Prayer recited for 11 months
→ Yahrzeit: Annual anniversary of the death, with candle lighting

In Portugal: The Israelite Community of Lisbon and the Jewish Community of Porto can guide you through the procedures.

Hindu

Hindu tradition

Community present in Portugal, especially of Indian origin

Rituals and ceremonies

→ Cremation: The traditional and preferred form of disposition
→ Antyesti: Funeral rites performed by the eldest son
→ Washing the body: By the family, with water and spices
→ White garments: The body is wrapped in white cloth
→ Scattering of ashes: Ideally in a sacred river

Mourning period

→ 13 days: Main mourning period
→ The family remains at home during this period
→ Vegetarian diet during mourning
→ Ceremony on the 13th day marks the end of formal mourning
→ Annual ceremony (Shraddha) in memory of the deceased

Orthodox

Eastern Orthodox tradition

Greek, Romanian, Ukrainian and Russian communities in Portugal

Rituals and ceremonies

→ Panichida: Memorial service before the funeral
→ Open coffin: Tradition of a final farewell with the coffin open
→ Incense and candles: Central elements in the ceremony
→ Burial preferred: Cremation is generally discouraged
→ Koliva: Ritual dish of boiled wheat offered after the funeral

Mourning period

→ 40 days: Main mourning period
→ Memorial services on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day
→ Memorial service at 6 months and 1 year
→ Wearing black during the mourning period
→ Communal meal after the funeral (makaria)

Evangelical / Protestant

Protestant and Evangelical traditions

Growing communities in Portugal

Rituals and ceremonies

→ Celebration of life: Focus on gratitude for the life lived
→ Memorial service: With Bible reading, hymns and testimonies
→ Simpler ceremony: Without elaborate rituals or sacraments
→ Burial or cremation: Both accepted without restriction
→ Community participation: The faith community actively supports the family

Mourning period

→ There is no formal prescribed mourning period
→ The church community offers practical and emotional support
→ Emphasis on hope and faith as a source of comfort
→ Support groups within the church
→ Flexibility in mourning expressions

A note on diversity

The practices described are general guidelines. Within each religion and culture, there are significant variations. Different families may follow traditions in different ways, and many people in Portugal combine elements from various traditions. The most important thing is to respect the wishes of the deceased and their family.