Shanine Funerary Rites
History
The funerary rites known among those living on the Shanin Islands are old, with some aspects perhaps stemming back all the way to the human era. The traditions surrounding death among Shanine people are deeply tied to the cult surrounding Fire God Vega and local beliefs, likely due to the nation's long history if being self sufficient and culturally isolated for many thousands of years.
In the modern era, some aspects have been brought over that are more familiar, especially the involvement of Shia's Cult and their own customs.
Execution
After a person dies and their body is recovered, the corpse is cleaned using water from the Mount Shanai Hot Springs and scented with oils made from local flowers after any necessary autopsy, sampling, and investigation has occurred. Once cleared for burial, the body will further be prepared for a short viewing at night, where the body is laid on a bed of coconut and banana leaves and wrapped in a traditionally woven blanket made of plant fibers. Viewings always take place at night, due to the region's tropical climate, so that the bodies do not decompose as quickly and begin to smell during a service.
During a viewing, family, friends, and those living nearby to the deceased will hold a feast in the person's honor as a last send off to them, celebrating their life in its entirety. It is not uncommon to speak loudly not only of the deceased's accomplishments, but also their failures and mishaps, as all are seen as part of what made them who they are.
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