Death and the dead were greatly feared by the Wampanoags.[510]
Theories as to the causes of death are little noted by the European
chroniclers; there was, however, the idea that the death of a child
could result from supernatural anger with the parent.[511] After
death the “good” were thought to go to the southwest, where they
would lead an idyllic existence. Less fortunate people were doomed to
wandering about aimlessly.[512]
Burial prepared the deceased for his journey to the southwest.
Hazards were expected along the way (a large dog is one that is
mentioned.)[513] For this reason, and because the afterlife was
expected to be like earthly existence, the equipment of life—weapons,
wampum, ornaments, pots, and the like were buried along with the
dead.[514] In the case of children, the parents might make gifts of
special ornaments and treasures and put them into the grave.[515]
One specially appointed person, “commonly some wise, grave, and
well-descented man” had the job of preparing the corpse for burial
and committing it to the earth.[516] Woven mats were used to line
the grave. Boards might be placed in as lining for the grave of
an important person, likewise a greater wealth of possessions and
richer covering of mats indicated a person of higher station.[517]
The body was placed into the grave in a sitting position—arms were
drawn across the chest and knees were bent up; it was covered with
a mat.[518] To mark an important grave a skin mantle might be hung
nearby and left there until it rotted.[519] It was also reported that
monuments were raised over the graves of great men, but there is no
indication of what these might have been.[520]
There was considerable mourning and display of grief for the dead.
Both men and women painted their faces black to signify grief.[521]
Women would paint their faces as soon as an illness appeared to be
serious, but men did not do so until death had occurred.[522] At the
moment of death the assembled spectators would begin wailing and
lamenting, men and women alike.[523]
Adults were buried in or near the house, after which all the mats
were taken down from the house, leaving only the frame remaining, and
it was abandoned forever.[524] The company of friends and relatives
would gather around the corpse as it lay at the grave’s edge and
lament copiously.[525] They would continue to mourn thus for many
days; the length of mourning increased with the importance of the
deceased. In the case of a very important person, such as a sachem,
the period of mourning might last for a year.[526] The black face
paint was worn throughout the period of mourning, and it was often
seen to be caked by tears.[527] Upon the death of a child, the
father might cut off his proud long hair and inflict wounds upon his
body.[528] The anniversary of the death was kept by a brief period of
renewed mourning, the face again being blackened.[529] The name of a
deceased person was not to be mentioned again. If anyone living had a
similar name, he would change it.[530]
Concern was also shown for the family of the deceased. Friends would
often visit offering words of consolation “... which they express
by stroking the cheeke and head of the father or mother, husband
or wife of the dead”.[531] Widows or widowers, left then without a
house, would take up residence with a related family or perhaps move
about among the homes of their relatives for a time, where they were
comforted.[532]