Mourning patterns

Ululations, lamentations and elegies are some of the vocal ritual behaviour associated with grief or respect for the deceased. Mourning patterns vary enormously from feasts to fasts; some loud, some silent; some sedentary, others violently active. Music may take the form of dirges, requiems and other solemn types, or gay music may be introduced. Special clothing may be worn and mourners may disarrange or soil themselves or their clothes. Religious services for the dead are offered in multitudes of form. On the opposite extreme urban advantaged classes may pay for efficiency in disposal of bodies and show no evidence of mourning.