African American Homegoing Traditions: History, Meaning, and What to Expect

A note before we begin: there isn’t one African American funeral tradition. Black families in the United States come from many places, faiths, and generations, and their funerals reflect Baptist, AME, Church of God in Christ, Catholic, Muslim, and other communities, as well as secular families. This guide describes what published sources, including an encyclopedia, a history center, and an academic study, say about the tradition called homegoing, and we flag where practice varies. For questions about a particular family or church, the pastor, funeral director, or family is the authority.

What is a homegoing?

Homegoing (or home-going) is a popular term for a funeral that treats death as a return home, a spiritual transition celebrated with faith and gratitude, rather than only an occasion of sorrow. A West Virginia encyclopedia entry describes a “homegoing” celebration as a Black funeral tradition that emphasizes dignity for the deceased through specific practices and stylistic elements, with pageantry playing an integral part. A funeral provider’s guide describes Black funeral customs as creating a celebration of faith, hope, and love, noting that “homegoing” was the popular term.

Where do these traditions come from?

Accounts differ, and historians continue to study the subject, but several threads recur in the sources:

• West African roots and the faith of the enslaved. Several sources say enslaved people carried West African funeral customs into American practice and that, with Christianity, death came to be understood as a chance to go home. A DeKalb History Center essay says the “homegoing” ceremony originated during slavery, born of deep pain, and that “home” symbolized a return to Africa or the ancestors, and a spiritual return to peace, freedom, and unity
• Restrictions on mourning. Some accounts say enslaved people were often not allowed to mourn their dead collectively, and that when gatherings were allowed, they became opportunities to grieve and celebrate together
• Burial societies and mutual aid. The West Virginia encyclopedia notes that Black benevolent societies and fraternal organizations helped poorer African Americans with burial insurance, and another history says Black churches began forming burial societies around 1900, collecting money from members to pay for funerals, coffins, and graves
• Black funeral homes. Under segregation, according to a history center and other sources, white funeral homes often refused to serve Black families or treated them as lower priorities, and white cemeteries were closed to them. Black funeral directors, among the earliest and most respected Black professionals in their communities, worked with Black churches to host services and establish burial grounds

These histories help explain why many Black families have deep ties to particular churches and funeral homes.

What might a homegoing include?

A homegoing may differ widely, but sources describe elements such as:

• A viewing or wake at the funeral home. A study of ritual practices notes that in African American communities the wake is often the first occasion when comfort and assistance are given to bereaved families
• A service at a church, often the one the person attended or a community church, sometimes at a funeral chapel. It typically includes music, with hymns sung throughout, along with prayers, Scripture, remarks, and a eulogy; one writer notes services begin with musical accompaniment and attendees sing hymns during the service
• A funeral program. Described as universally important, it started as a simple announcement, in the way a Sunday church program lists the order of events. A funeral provider’s guide notes that historically Black Americans were often not allowed to place obituaries in local newspapers, which made the printed program a way to tell the community
• Pageantry. The West Virginia encyclopedia mentions elaborate programs, ornate floral arrangements, and processions with limousines or horse-drawn carriages, and mourners wearing colorful or white outfits instead of black. A funeral provider’s guide notes that themes may carry through to flowers and décor
• A processional and committal. Many services end with a procession from the church or funeral home to the cemetery
• The repast. After the burial, family and friends gather for a communal meal, often at the funeral home or the home of a family member or friend. One history describes the repast as an elaborate funeral meal that follows the viewing, service, and burial, where people freely expressed both grief and jubilation that the deceased was entering a heavenly realm
• Funeral director’s role. The West Virginia encyclopedia describes the funeral director as facilitating arrangements and acting as a grief counselor, with a “first lady” of the funeral home helping those grieving during the service

Regional variations exist: for example, a study of ritual practices describes the traditions of West Africa surviving in the jazz funerals of New Orleans, with brass band music.

How have things changed?

One funeral provider’s guide says burial remains the more common choice among Black families but that more and more families are choosing cremation. Families make their own decisions about which elements to keep, and some choose simpler services.

What should I expect as a guest?

• Ask about attire. Many guests wear dark, conservative clothing, but some families request white or a specific color or theme. Check the program or ask the family
• Expect music and participation. Sources describe hymns sung throughout the service, and you’re welcome to join in if it feels natural
• Services may be longer than you expect, with time for remarks, music, and a eulogy
• Take a program. Like a church program, it lists the order of service
• Offer practical support. Food, flowers, cards, and donations to the family are customary ways to help; see what to write in a sympathy card
• Join the repast if invited
• Ask the funeral director or church if you’re not sure about etiquette

For general guidance, see funeral etiquette: what to wear and say and Christian funeral traditions.

If you’re planning a homegoing

Talk with your pastor and a funeral director experienced with your church’s traditions about the service order, music and musicians, who will speak, the program, the procession, and the repast, who will host it, and what you’d like it to look like. Many families gather a team of church members to help.

Add this to your Final Day Plan: your church or officiant, the music and readings you’d like, who should speak, the program, and the repast.

Practices vary by community, tradition and family. Everendium provides general guidance and encourages families to consult their faith or community leaders where appropriate.