Funeral customs vary widely across the globe. Different religions and different cultures bury their dead according to customs that have developed over hundreds – even thousands – of years. Of all the funeral customs and traditions across the globe, the New Orleans Jazz Funeral transcends cultures the most. The Jazz Funeral will always be synonymous with the great city in Louisiana, USA. It has spread (or at least elements of it have) around the world. Many see the New Orleans Jazz Funeral as the ultimate commemoration of a person’s death and celebration of their life.
New Orleans: A city that does things differently
In 1699, French explorers sailed up the Mississippi river looking for a suitable area of dry land to build a port. Their choice of land developed into the city of New Orleans. Ever since, New Orleans has always been a bit different from most other cities. Swamp surrounds it on three sides. The Mississippi borders it on the other. Its highest point sits only 6 feet above river level. Engineers built levees to protect the city from flooding. The raised area that resulted is now known as ‘The French Quarter’.
With the city’s water level sitting 300mm to 500mm below ground level in many places, burying the dead in the normal European way proved impossible. Therefore, New Orleans developed its own unique burial system. Builders raised tombs above ground level. High ambient temperatures meant that bodies decomposed quickly. In a year, only the bones would remain. Workers would then push these into a pit at the back of the tomb, creating space for more bodies.
The Musical Funeral Tradition
The New Orleans tradition of the funeral procession grew in the 19th century. Mourners would walk from the house of the deceased to the cemetery behind a band. The band would play traditional music – sombre dirges befitting the occasion. After the ceremony, the mood would change. The band would switch to upbeat, celebratory music. The crowd would dance behind the band on the way back from the cemetery. This second part of the procession became known as ‘The Second Line’.
The Second Line Tradition
The Second Line is a uniquely New Orleans phenomenon. People who were not part of the official funeral procession would join in the upbeat return journey. They would dance behind the main procession – hence the name ‘Second Line’. The music played would typically include jazz standards and traditional New Orleans tunes. The whole atmosphere would transform from grief to celebration.
Today, Second Line parades continue in New Orleans. Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs organise them as community events throughout the year. Visitors to the city can witness them on many weekends. The tradition has also spread far beyond New Orleans. People around the world now incorporate elements of the jazz funeral and the Second Line into their own funeral ceremonies. Silk Street Jazz can bring this tradition to the UK. Get in touch to find out more.