Cultural Loss Ceremonies and Figures?

Question

Do you know of any culture specific loss ceremonies or figures?

Especially (but not limited to) infant/child loss.

Examples:

Dia de los angelitos (or dia de los muertos)

Japanese Jizo

Thank You

Answer 1

My people the lakota Sioux of south dakota have a ceremony we still preform in regards to the loss of a loved one.

In general it is the keeping of the spirit ceremony and lasts one year. One of the 7 sacred rites.

A token of the deceased, usually a lock of hair is kept and wrapped in cloth.

It is placed in a prominent place in the house, A mantle for instance. Offerings of food and sage are offered daily. This is to remind the spirit that they are loved and thought of and in general we go about as if this person is still with us. after 1 year a large dinner is held with family and friends and the community. Gifts are given to the vistors by the family and then the BUNDLE is opened and the spirit freed.

It was used especially for a way to grieve over to loss of maybe a child or someone whom was espicially loved and the greiving one having a hard time with the death, it was a way for them to come to terms with the loss.