What to Expect at a Rastafarian Funeral
A Rastafarian funeral honours the livity of the person who has passed (their ethical, spiritual life) and gives thanks as their soul returns to Jah. If you have been invited as a guest, this guide will help you understand what happens and how to take part with respect.
How a Rastafarian funeral unfolds
Rastafari is a decentralised faith and funeral practice varies considerably between the main Houses: most prominently the Nyabinghi (the orthodox order), the Bobo Shanti, and the Twelve Tribes of Israel: and between families. What you experience will depend on the House the person belonged to, the country you are in, and the wishes of close family. There is no single liturgy and no single officiant; ceremonies are often led by family elders and the wider community together.
Most services centre on Nyabinghi drumming, where the steady heartbeat rhythm of the bass, fundeh, and repeater drums carries the gathering through chants and song. Scripture is read aloud, drawn almost entirely from the King James Bible, with strong emphasis on the Old Testament. Psalm 23, Psalm 91, and Psalm 121 are particularly cherished. The atmosphere often blends honest mourning with a celebration of the person's livity, and call-and-response chants of "Rastafari", "Jah Live", and "Selassie I" may rise from the room.
A central element is reasoning: the community sitting together to share memories, scripture, and reflection. Family members and friends speak in turn, sometimes for a long time, recalling the person's character, their walk in truth and rights, and their relationship with Jah. In the Bobo Shanti tradition, rituals are typically more elaborate and structured, with formal prayers and a stronger liturgical shape. Burial is the usual practice, though arrangements vary; a graveside service often follows the main gathering, with further drumming and chanting.
What to expect at the service
A few things to expect when you arrive, especially if it is your first Rastafarian funeral.
- The service may take place at the family home, a community space, a tabernacle, or graveside. Many Rastas prefer simple, natural settings rather than formal funeral parlours.
- Nyabinghi drumming and chanting often run through the gathering. You are welcome to listen, sway, or join in softly if you feel comfortable; participation is never required.
- Scripture readings come mainly from the Old Testament, especially the Psalms. The King James Version is the version most commonly used.
- Reasoning sessions are central. Friends and family share memories and reflections, often at length. Silence between speakers is part of the rhythm, not awkward.
- You may hear call-and-response phrases ("Jah", "Rastafari", "Selassie I", "more love", "one love") woven through prayers and speeches.
- The atmosphere mixes grief with thanksgiving. Tears, laughter, and song often sit side by side.
- Bobo Shanti services tend to be more formal and ritually structured, with specific prayers, robes, and a strong sense of order; Nyabinghi and Twelve Tribes gatherings often feel more communal and informal.
How guests can show respect
Small, considerate gestures that matter to a Rastafarian family.
- Arrive a little early and greet family members quietly. A simple "more love" or "give thanks for their livity" is a warm and fitting opening.
- Stand or sit as others do. If drumming and chanting are taking place, follow the lead of those around you.
- Listen carefully during reasoning. When it is your turn to speak, share a sincere memory of the person rather than offering general platitudes.
- Use the person's name. Honouring who they were (their livity, kindness, and works) is at the heart of the gathering.
- If the family is Bobo Shanti, ask discreetly beforehand about any specific protocols, including head covering and seating.
- Stay for as long as you can. Rasta funerals are unhurried; leaving early can read as a lack of respect for the community gathered.
Things to be mindful of
A few common missteps that are easy to avoid.
- "It's basically a reggae party, right?" — No. A Rastafarian funeral is a serious spiritual gathering rooted in scripture, drumming, and reasoning. Reducing it to music or stereotype is hurtful.
- Mimicking Patois or Rasta speech. — Speak naturally in your own voice. Borrowed phrasing, even when well meant, can read as mocking.
- Photographing the service or the drumming. — Funerals are private. Do not take photos or videos unless the family has explicitly invited you to.
- Asking about cannabis, dreadlocks, or Bob Marley. — These topics can dominate outsider conversation and reduce a rich spiritual tradition to caricature. Keep the focus on the person who has died.
- Loud, performative grief. — Many Rastas value composed, dignified mourning that gives thanks for the life lived alongside the sorrow of loss.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Rastas attend a Rastafarian funeral?
Yes, almost always. If you have been invited, you are welcome. Listening respectfully, speaking sincerely if asked, and following the lead of those around you is enough. There is no expectation that you take part in chanting or drumming unless you wish to.
How long is a Rastafarian funeral?
There is no fixed length. Many services run for two to three hours, sometimes longer, particularly when reasoning sessions are extended. Bobo Shanti ceremonies can be more structured and predictable in length; Nyabinghi gatherings often flow with the rhythm of the community.
Is burial or cremation more common?
Burial is generally preferred in Rastafari, as the body is honoured as a temple and many Rastas believe in a natural return to the earth. Practice does vary between families and Houses, however, and some now choose cremation.
What is Nyabinghi drumming?
Nyabinghi is the orthodox Rasta order and also the name of its core drumming tradition. Three drums (the bass, the fundeh, and the repeater) play together in a heartbeat rhythm that accompanies chanting and prayer. It is one of the most distinctive elements of a Rasta funeral.
Will there be food after the service?
Often, yes. A simple Ital meal: natural, usually vegetarian or vegan, and prepared without salt for stricter Rastas, is frequently shared after the gathering. Joining in is a meaningful way to honour the family and the community.
Last reviewed June 2026.
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