I don't want to be morbid here but I would be interested in hearing about your experiences of death and funeral traditions. Do you hold mournful ceremonies for those who have died, or do you have a celebration of their life? Are you expected to do certain things, spend a lot of money, follow traditions? Or are there many different ways of dealing with this in your culture? Does a funeral happen on a set date?

I consider myself a regular christian man. I have never really become very religious until recently when my little sister asked where people go when they die. Do people just not exist when then die, forgotten by an aging world, remembered only by loved ones? Or do they live on? Einstein said that energy continues forever. Does our energy continue forever?

In some Asian country, there is a tradition for the death of old people, which is called comedy funeral.
In some places of China, especially in the north, if the people is died in 70s (or 80s) years old, his or her offsprings think the death is a comedy. In the funeral, the offsprings may not cry. Since in their mind, they feel the parent has been raised to the sky, and he or she will enjoy a wonderful life in another life.

In Jewish tradition there are several distinct stages of mourning. Although these traditions are very old, I think they correspond very well to what we now know about psychological stages of grieving. There are many detailed regulation for each stage, which modern Jews might observe more or less rigorously according to their inclination. Here are just a few that stand out in my mind:
From the time of death to the burial, the body is never left alone. One does not attempt to comfort the mourners during this period. The burial is held as soon as possible - traditionally within 24 hours, although now a delay of a day or two is often allowed to permit the arrival of relatives who have to travel to the funeral.
At the funeral, the mourners (strictly defined as parents, siblings, children or spouses of the deceased) rend their garments, and participate in symbolically shovelling dirt over the coffin.
After the funeral, a period called "Shiva" begins (literally, "seven"). It traditionally lasts for seven days unless interrupted by certain religious holidays. The mourners do not leave the house of mourning except to go the the synagogue on the Sabbath. All the mirrors in the house are covered, and the mourners sit on low benches. Friends and relatives come, bring food and offer consolation, and provide the quorum needed for daily prayer services, which take place in the house of mourning. During this period the mourners refrain from levity, entertainment, conducting business, wearing new clothing, shaving, and various other activities. A special candle is lit that lasts the entire seven days.
Certain restrictions are observed for one month after the funeral, and, for a parent or child, for one year. During this period the mourner would traditionally go to the synagogue every day (or, in less traditional communities, as often as practical) to recite the traditional mourner's prayer during the daily service. This provides a sympathetic community who will recognize the status of the mourner long after his friends and colleagues might expect him to "get over it." I am currently partway through this period of mourning for my father, which is why I have this so much on my mind. Personally I have found the traditional rituals to be very conforting.
-- Jackie (also known as khoff)

Hi nona
I'm Turkish and live in turkey. I should say that I am a muslim. As turks and muslims, I can say thay we are different from people of the world. We believe in God accordingly we believe that death comes from Him,almighty. So anything,coming from him should be welcomed so as possible as we try to behave so.
Besides SUFISM will reply your question in another aspect if you try to resarch on it. A man,called Sufi regard death as a means of reaching God again. Again I said because we believe we all come from God and we will return Him also.
Take care With Blue