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]