Burial
The Shawnee burial practices were borrowed by many. The funeral process was a long process. The body would be kept, covered in the home, for half a day. Then blood relatives would prepare it to be laid to rest. Close relatives would choose a funeral leader and two - three gravediggers, none of which could be related to the deceased or each other.
The funeral rites would last four days and included the purification, the burial, feasts, vigils and a condolence ceremony.
The funeral rites would last four days and included the purification, the burial, feasts, vigils and a condolence ceremony.
The grave itself would be about four feet deep facing east to west. The interior would be line with stone, wood or bark. The body, wrapped in skins or bark would then be placed in it. Poles would cover the grave, followed by bark and then dirt. A small grave house would be erected over the resulting mound.
Clark, Jerry, ed. 2007. The Shawnee. Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky pp. 50