Each culture has its own traditions, rituals and ways of expressing grief and mourning.

In light of the recent tragedy in Haiti, I thought I would begin with Haitian/Americans.

Practices of the Haitian-American Culture:

Although there is diversity in religious practices among the Haitian/Haitian-American population, they tend to share the following common patterns in the aftermath of death:
Close family members and relatives make arrangements for the funeral and church services.
A gathering of family members and close friends at the home of the deceased to pray and to offer support.
A wake is held at the home of the deceased every night from the time of the death to the time of the burial. At the wake, they chat, eat, drink, and share jokes.
A viewing is followed by the funeral service and burial. Close family members mourn by dressing in black or white. The wearing of  bright colors such as red is not considered an expression of mourning. It is preferable to wear dark colors such as blue, purple, and brown to attend a funeral.
Many Haitians express grief with the physical manifestation of great emotion. After the burial, family members and friends usually gather at the home of the deceased for a reception, where flaky pastries, black coffee, tea, and other foods are served.