Iranian Funeral Traditions & Rituals

The former home of the ancient Persian Empire, Iran was once a major influence on many of the countries of Europe and Asia, including Italy, Greece, Russia, and the Arabian peninsula. Known for its art, literature,poetry and food, ancient Persia boasted a sophisticated culture. It was also the birthplace of Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest monotheistic religions in the world. After the Muslim conquest in 633–654 CE, however, Persia slowly evolved into an Islamic state.Today it is ruled by the Shia majority, which took control of the government in 1979 after overthrowing the Western-backed  Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and establishing a theocracy led by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who remains the religious leader of the country to this day. Modern day Iran is overwhelmingly Muslim, and its death practices and rituals adhere closely to Muslim teachings and beliefs. 

Read more about the traditions and death practices of Iranians below. 

• In Ancient Iran, The New Year Marked A Time To Celebrate And Comingle With The Souls Of The Dead
• In Modern-Day Iran, Many Muslims Still Cling To Ancient Ways Of Caring For The Dead.
• In Contemporary Iranian Culture, Rituals Around Death And Mourning Are Evolving To Reflect More Modern Norms