The dead are enclosed above ground in a box in the manner previously
described. The annexed sketch shows the form of the sarcophagus,
which, in this case, is ornamented with snow-shoes, a reel for
seal-lines, a fishing-rod, and a wooden dish or kantág. The latter
is found with every grave, and usually one is placed in the box with
the body. Sometimes a part of the property of the dead person is
placed in the coffin or about it; occasionally the whole is thus
disposed of. Generally the furs, possessions, and clothing (except
such as has been worn) are divided among the nearer relatives of the
dead, or remain in possession of his family if he has one; such
clothing, household utensils, and weapons as the deceased had in
daily use are almost invariably enclosed in his coffin. If there are
many deaths about the same time, or an epidemic occurs, everything
belonging to the dead is destroyed. The house in which a death
occurs is always deserted and usually destroyed. In order to avoid
this, it is not uncommon to take the sick person out of the house
and put him in a tent to die. A woman’s coffin may be known by the
kettles and other feminine utensils about it. There is no
distinction between the sexes in method of burial. On the outside of
the coffin, figures are usually drawn in red ochre. Figures of fur
animals usually indicate that the dead person was a good trapper; if
seal or deer skin, his proficiency as a hunter; representation of
parkies that he was wealthy; the manner of his death is also
occasionally indicated. For four days after a death the women in the
village do no sewing; for five days the men do not cut wood with an
axe. The relatives of the dead must not seek birds’ eggs on the
overhanging cliffs for a year, or their feet will slip from under
them and they will be dashed to pieces. No mourning is worn or
indicated, except by cutting the hair. Women sit and watch the body,
chanting a mournful refrain until he is interred. They seldom
suspect that others have brought the death about by shamánism, as
the Indians almost invariably do.
At the end of a year from the death, a festival is given, presents
are made to those who assisted in making the coffin, and the period
of mourning is over. Their grief seldom seems deep but they indulge
for a long time in wailing for the dead at intervals. I have seen
several women who refused to take a second husband, and had remained
single in spite of repeated offers for many years.