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A Culture of Sympathy
How different ethnic groups remember loved ones |
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Written by Michelle Brisebois
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It’s been said that death is the one great equalizer. Rich or poor, famous or known to few – it’s a life event that impacts everyone. How someone’s passing is observed differs widely among various ethnic groups. Since mourning rituals are definitely tied to religious beliefs, sympathy flowers must honour both the ethnic and religious makeup of the people involved. As a florist, it’s just good business if you know which cultural preferences to play up and which elements to avoid.
The face of Canada today is diverse in both race and religion, but a few key groups make up the lion’s share of visible minorities. Between now and 2031, the foreign-born population of Canada could increase approximately four times faster than the rest of the population, according to Statistics Canada. The agency predicts that the number of foreign-born residents could reach between 9.8 million and 12.5 million, depending on various immigration assumptions. This growth means that this proportion would increase from 20 per cent in 2006 to between 25 per cent and 28 per cent of the population, and approximately 55 per cent of this number would be born in Asia. By 2031, nearly one-half (46 per cent) of Canadians aged 15 and over would be foreign-born, or would have at least one foreign-born parent, up from 39 per cent in 2006. While Canadians boast a broad spectrum of cultural and religious affiliations, some groups are more prevalent than others, so the floral industry would benefit from understanding how these groups mourn.
South Asian
The South Asians grew to become Canada’s largest visible minority group in 2006, surpassing Canada’s Chinese population for the first time. Southern Asia encompasses the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Afghanistan, Iran and Sri Lanka. The 2006 census enumerated an estimated 1.2 million individuals identifying themselves as South Asian. This number represents a growth rate of 38 per cent from 2001. They represent one-quarter (25 per cent) of all visible minorities, or four per cent of the total Canadian population. Hinduism is a religion practised by many South Asians and one per cent of Canadians. Hindus try to hold a service at a funeral home before the sun goes down on the day of the death. Flowers may be sent, although doing so isn’t necessarily part of the Hindu tradition. Garlands and mixed seasonal sprays of flowers are typical. For those South Asian Canadians who are of the Islamic faith (two per cent of Canadians), opinion varies as to how appropriate it is to send sympathy flowers. There are those who say that the Islamic emphasis on simplicity makes gifts of flowers unsuitable, and others who say sending flowers is appropriate. It’s always wise to obtain the opinion of a local religious leader or the family first to be safe. If flowers are appropriate, roses and other fragrant blooms work well. Palm branches, other greens, or individual flowers are sometimes placed on the grave.
Chinese
Representing just less than four per cent of the Canadian population, the Chinese population in Canada is projected to grow from 1.3 million to between 2.4 million and 3 million by 2031. The Canadian Encyclopedia reports that among Canadians of Chinese origin with a religious affiliation, 34 per cent are Buddhist, 28 per cent are Catholic and 22 per cent belonged to a Protestant denomination. Unlike the declining membership in many of the Christian churches, Chinese membership in the Baptist Church has continued to grow. Many Chinese are also followers of philosophical Daoism, Zen Buddhism, and Qigong. After the visitation, family and friends will place money or symbols of money into the casket as a gift for the afterlife. This is also a Buddhist tradition. Flowers, fruit, candles and incense can be placed on an altar in front of the casket along with the deceased’s portrait. Friends and family may place small pieces of paper, symbolizing a monetary gift for use in the afterlife, in the casket. Flowers are suitable expressions of sympathy and white is a colour of mourning. Red is a colour of happiness and is not recommended for use in sympathy arrangements. Statistics Canada also reports that in 2001, 56 per cent of Chinese people aged 15 and over said they had no religious affiliation, compared to 17 per cent of the overall Canadian population. So when creating sympathy arrangements for someone of Canadian-Chinese descent, keep in mind that culture may be a more important factor than religion.
Korean/Filipino
Korean Canadians represent 0.3 per cent of the population but their numbers are growing quickly. Funeral services usually involve a viewing, and the predominant religions are Buddhism and Christianity. Ribbons containing Korean messages will often adorn floral bouquets and plants. Rituals include visitation, prayers and songs the evening before the service, and flowers are often welcome at Korean services. Filipino-Canadians represent one per cent of the population and the third largest non-European ethnic group in the country, after the Chinese and South Asian communities. Between the years 2001 and 2006, the Filipino community in Canada grew by 33 per cent, compared to the rest of Canada, which only grew by about five per cent on average. The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is home to the largest Filipino community in Canada – roughly one out of two Filipinos in Canada resides in the GTA. Filipino-Canadians tend to be Roman Catholic and increasingly Evangelical Protestant so funeral flowers are a part of the mourning process for these faiths.
Jewish
Those of the Jewish faith in Canada represent one per cent of its population. Funeral services are usually conducted by a rabbi and typically within 24 to 48 hours of death. The family then “sits shivah,” a custom that lasts seven days. During this time, friends and relatives visit and pay their respects. Fruit and food baskets are considered appropriate expressions of sympathy while the family sits shivah. If the family keeps Kosher then the gift must also be Kosher. Flowers are not usually sent during this time though they are starting to be acceptable at non-Orthodox services. Trees are often planted in Israel as a living tribute to the deceased, so a tree to be planted closer to home may be a lovely tribute too.
Japanese
Less than one per cent of Canadians are of Japanese descent. Cremation is typically practised among the Japanese, and so most services are memorials where the cremains are present. In 2001, 46 per cent of Canadians of Japanese origin said they had no religious affiliation, compared to 17 per cent of the overall population. Among Canadians of Japanese origin with a religious affiliation, 24 per cent belonged to a Protestant denomination of Christianity, 16 per cent were Buddhist and nine per cent were Catholic. Red flowers are not appropriate, but white flowers are, as they are with Chinese custom.
While nuances of various customs may differ, we should always remember that the intent of sending “sympathy flowers” is to give the mourning family a moment of distraction during their time of grief. Flowers are also such a fitting tribute to the person who’s passed away, as the fleeting beauty of cut flowers provides a poignant metaphor for the fleeting beauty of human life. The face of Canada in mourning may be changing but the role sympathy flowers plays remains a touching constant.
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