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Funeral Rites And Rituals Trivia Quiz

Throughout history, different cultures have evolved many different ways to honour their departed - take a look at some of the various rituals with me.

A multiple-choice quiz by Rowena8482. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Rowena8482

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
274,040

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1392

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 99 (4/10), matthewpokemon (6/10), Guest 120 (3/10).

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1907, an article called "The Collective Representation of Death" was published which stated three main emphases for the funeral rites of almost every culture throughout history. Which of the following is NOT one of those emphases? Hint

To honour the local religious practices

The survivors are comforted

The 'soul' leaves the physical body

The 'soul' moves on to the culturally accepted "after death state"

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Question 2 of 10

2. In which religion is a vigil over the deceased kept by a group of people called "Shomerim"? Hint

Sikhism

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

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Question 3 of 10

3. When a Japanese person passes away, their lips are moistened in a special ceremony called "Matsugo-no-mizu." What does this phrase mean? Hint

Wine of farewell

Wine of remembrance

Water for the journey

Water of the last moment

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Question 4 of 10

4. The funeral rites of which religion include a 'final prayer' called an "Antim ardas"? Hint

Hinduism

Zoroastrianism

Shinto

Sikhism

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which colour of clothing would NOT be worn by attendees at a Chinese funeral? Hint

Green

Black

Red

White

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Question 6 of 10

6. At a State Funeral in the UK, who or what pull the gun carriage bearing the coffin (casket) on its final journey? Hint

Black Horses

Soldiers of the Blues and Royals Regiment

White Horses

Sailors of the Royal Navy

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Question 7 of 10

7. When a Pope dies, his papal ring is destroyed. How was Pope John Paul II's ring destroyed? Hint

Crushed with a silver hammer

Cremated with the deceased Pope

Melted down to make the new ring for his successor

Crushed with a rock on the Altar of the Sistine chapel

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Question 8 of 10

8. In which country is a wake called a "Kistulagning" held for the deceased? Hint

Indonesia

Nicaragua

Romania

Iceland

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Question 9 of 10

9. An old Scottish ritual involved laying a wooden platter on the chest of the deceased, with a little soil and what other commodity on it? Hint

Blood

Money

Salt

Mead

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Question 10 of 10

10. In which country would the family of the deceased traditionally celebrate "tot khoc" one hundred days after the death of their loved one? Hint

Guatemala

Vietnam

Angola

Rwanda

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Mar 25 2024 : Guest 99: 4/10
Mar 14 2024 : matthewpokemon: 6/10
Mar 05 2024 : Guest 120: 3/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: To honour the local religious practices

The article was written by Frenchman Robert Hertz (1881 - 1915), and was translated into English as "Death and the Right Hand" in 1960.

2. In which religion is a vigil over the deceased kept by a group of people called "Shomerim"?

Answer: Judaism

"Shomerim" means "guards", and they stay with the body of the deceased as a sign of respect. While vigil is kept, the Shomerim do not eat, drink, or smoke, as this would be disrespectful to the deceased. Judaism requires the body to be buried as soon as possible after death, with a shroud rather than a casket (coffin).

3. When a Japanese person passes away, their lips are moistened in a special ceremony called "Matsugo-no-mizu." What does this phrase mean?

Answer: Water of the last moment

The "Water of the last moment" ceremony is performed along with several other rituals which are believed to ward off evil spirits and speed the soul of the departed on its way. 99% of all Japanese people are cremated when they die, and 90% of the ceremonies are Buddhist.

4. The funeral rites of which religion include a 'final prayer' called an "Antim ardas"?

Answer: Sikhism

At a Sikh funeral, once the Antim ardas has been recited, the eldest son or closest male relative of the deceased ignites the cremation fire (or presses the button to begin the process in a crematorium). Later on, the ashes of the deceased will be scattered over water.

5. Which colour of clothing would NOT be worn by attendees at a Chinese funeral?

Answer: Red

Red is a lucky colour in China and symbolises happy things, so it is never worn at a funeral as this is an occasion for sadness and grief.

6. At a State Funeral in the UK, who or what pull the gun carriage bearing the coffin (casket) on its final journey?

Answer: Sailors of the Royal Navy

At a State Funeral, the gun carriage is pulled by sailors of the Royal Navy. A Royal Ceremonial Funeral is different from a State Funeral in that a State Funeral requires an Act of Parliament to vote for it to take place.
The use of sailors to pull the carriage dates from the funeral of Queen Victoria in 1901.

7. When a Pope dies, his papal ring is destroyed. How was Pope John Paul II's ring destroyed?

Answer: Crushed with a silver hammer

The Fisherman's Ring of Pope John Paul II was ceremonially crushed with a silver hammer in the presence of the Collegiate Cardinals. This is done to prevent any possibility of forgery of the Pope's seal on documents etc.

8. In which country is a wake called a "Kistulagning" held for the deceased?

Answer: Iceland

The Icelandic 'Kistulagning' is held for the closest family and friends of the deceased, usually in a small funeral chapel called a 'kapella.' The ceremony generally lasts around 30 minutes.

9. An old Scottish ritual involved laying a wooden platter on the chest of the deceased, with a little soil and what other commodity on it?

Answer: Salt

The ritual of "Earth laid upon a corpse" was done to symbolise the corruptibility of the body and the incorruptibility of the soul. It was first described by Thomas Pennant in his book "A Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides", written in 1774.

10. In which country would the family of the deceased traditionally celebrate "tot khoc" one hundred days after the death of their loved one?

Answer: Vietnam

"Tot khoc" means "the end of tears" and is followed by a ceremony on the first anniversary of the death, and an "end of mourning" ceremony on the second anniversary.

Source: Author Rowena8482

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Leau before going online.
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