Rastafari and Death: Beliefs, Funerals, and How to Support a Family

Rastafari is a living spiritual path with no single rulebook, and families approach death in different ways. This guide is for friends, coworkers, and professionals, and for families thinking about planning. Because published sources on Rastafari death practice are limited and sometimes disagree, it focuses on what is widely reported and on how to support a family respectfully, instead of prescribing rites.

Who is this guide about?

Rastafari is a spiritual movement that began in Jamaica in the 1930s. The Encyclopedia of World Cultures says Rastafarians believe in one supernatural spirit, Jah, whom they associate with Haile Selassie, and that Jah exists in every Rastafarian. Rastafari includes many orders and expressions, and Funeral.com describes it as “one movement, many personal theologies,” with many people combining Rastafari with a Christian upbringing and family customs. There is no single hierarchy, although some orders, such as the Nyabinghi Order, have their own elders and priests.

What do Rastafari believe about death?

Beliefs vary. Many Rastafari emphasize “everliving”: the Encyclopedia of World Cultures says many deny the possibility of death except as a consequence of sin. Religious Education Online adds that dying is called “transitioning,” meaning a change to a new body rather than an end, and that some see death as unnatural and avoidable. Wikipedia, drawing on scholarly studies, notes that more recent or moderate strands of Rastafari often see death as a natural part of life, and that Rastafari typically avoid ancestor veneration. A medical school library guide says that, because of the belief in everlasting life, some Rastafari may be hesitant to prepare for death or talk about terminal illness. Funeral.com says some Rastafari avoid “down” words and prefer language that affirms life.

Do Rastafari have funerals?

Traditionally many did not. Religious Education Online says there is generally no funeral ceremony for Rastafari, and that the Nyabinghi Order was long the most opposed to funeral rituals, with the saying “let the dead bury their dead.” Wikipedia reports that many Rastafari have received Christian funerals arranged by their families, though this is beginning to change. The same Religious Education Online page says the first Rastafari funeral was for a Nyabinghi elder, Bongo Tawney, in Jamaica in April 2010, led by Nyabinghi priests. Today, Funeral.com says, a Rastafari family might choose a highly structured service, a community gathering with drums and chants, a quiet moment at the grave, or something that looks like a Christian funeral with Rastafari elements woven in. No single form is the right one.

How can I support a grieving Rastafari family?

Ask the family what they would like, and follow their words. If they use terms such as “livity,” “forward,” or “everliving,” Funeral.com suggests mirroring them gently, for example, “May their memory stay everliving with you,” but only if it feels natural, with no forced patois and no borrowing language you do not understand. Do not debate theology. Avoid assuming that every Rastafari family wants cannabis present, that they reject all mainstream funeral practices, or that there is a strict “no funeral” rule, and do not assume that dreadlocks mean a particular belief. Treat Rastafari as a living spiritual path, not an aesthetic.

What should professionals and families think about?

If you are a chaplain, nurse, or funeral director, ask early and gently how the family would like to talk about the person’s illness or death, and what words they prefer. The Encyclopedia of World Cultures notes that many Rastafari follow an ital diet, avoiding salt, pork, and processed foods, and many exclude all meat and fish, which matters if you offer food. A library guide for clinicians notes that some Rastafari may avoid unnatural drugs and may find the accent of Jamaican Patois hard for others to follow, so ask about medicines and check understanding.

When family members hold different beliefs, Funeral.com recommends talking openly about what the person wanted, since relatives may follow Christian or other customs. Right of Disposition Explained covers who decides when relatives disagree, and written wishes are the surest guide. For a home-led gathering, see Can You Have a Funeral Without a Funeral Home?.

What doesn’t this guide cover?

• Nyabinghi and other orders’ ceremonies, which belong to the community and which we have not described
• Differences between orders, regions, and generations, which are large, including Rastafari in Jamaica, Ethiopia, and the United States
• Disagreements among published sources. Some describe a firm rule against funerals, others describe growing acceptance; both appear in the reports above
• Review by the community. This guide needs review by Rastafari elders and community members before it is promoted widely

Practices vary widely by community, family, and faith. This is general information, not religious or legal advice and not a substitute for the family’s own guidance. It has not yet been reviewed by members of the Rastafari community.