Different Types of Grief Practices: From a Decolonizing Perspective

In many cultures, grief has traditionally been understood through a Western psychological lens, emphasizing individual experiences and talk therapy as the primary means of healing. However, from a decolonizing perspective, it’s essential to acknowledge and honor the diverse, communal, and culturally grounded ways of processing grief that exist around the world. Decolonizing grief practices involve recognizing that there is no single, universal approach to mourning. Rather, different cultures, communities, and worldviews offer a variety of practices that help people navigate loss, many of which have been marginalized or dismissed by dominant Western models.

A few types of grief practices that honor this diverse perspective are community-centered mourning, ancestor veneration, and storytelling and oral tradition. It is noted that grief practices are not limited to these three as grief practices can take any shape and form. Grief practices extend to any practice that serves the purpose of healing and navigating loss during the mourning process.

Community-Centered Mourning

In many Indigenous cultures, grief is not seen as an individual experience but as a communal one. The entire community may gather to mourn the loss of a loved one through collective rituals, songs, dances, and ceremonies. These practices foster connection and solidarity, ensuring that no one grieves in isolation. The act of grieving together strengthens communal bonds and allows for shared healing. Decolonizing grief means recognizing the power of communal mourning, as it challenges the Western emphasis on private, individual experiences of loss.

Ancestor Veneration

Many cultures, particularly in African, Afro-diasporic, and Asian traditions, view death not as an end but as a transition into the realm of the ancestors. Ancestor veneration involves maintaining an ongoing relationship with those who have passed, often through offerings, prayers, or maintaining altars. This practice acknowledges the ongoing spiritual presence of the deceased and offers a way to continue connecting with them. Decolonizing grief involves understanding that death does not sever ties but transforms them, and honoring those who have passed continues to be a vital aspect of cultural identity and community.

Storytelling and Oral Tradition

In many non-Western cultures, storytelling plays a vital role in the grieving process. Sharing stories about the deceased keeps their memory alive, passes down their wisdom, and ensures their legacy endures. Storytelling, particularly through oral traditions, reinforces cultural identity and community resilience. It allows for the collective remembering of ancestors and loved ones, passing their spirit to future generations. From a decolonizing standpoint, storytelling challenges the notion that grief needs to be clinically "processed" and instead focuses on remembrance and the continuation of personal and cultural legacies.

Decolonizing grief practices means expanding our understanding of mourning beyond Western models, which often prioritize individualism, linearity, and clinical frameworks. It involves reclaiming the diverse, communal, spiritual, and embodied ways of grieving that have been marginalized by colonial powers. By embracing a decolonizing approach to grief, we honor the multiplicity of ways in which people process loss, recognizing that healing can be found in community, nature, spirit, and creative expression. Ultimately, it encourages us to rethink how we approach death and mourning, opening the door to more holistic and culturally inclusive paths to healing.