Five Mourning Behaviors & Rituals
Chimpanzees
Similar mourning behaviors to humans have been seen by primate researchers often unintentionally. Both gorillas and chimpanzees and other non-human primates have displayed distinctly observable mourning and grieving behaviors and patterns. Here we’ll be focusing specifically on chimpanzees. Chimpanzees often share in the same care patterns of humans in how they care for those dying in their community. Often, grooming practices which are essential to chimpanzee socialization are taken up by other members who also care for the cleanliness of dying chimps. Healthy chimps are also known to stay by the side of those dying. Some chimpanzees even carry the deceased with them for some time after their death. While the reasoning behind this is unknown, it suggests that chimps similarly grieve and mourn for some time. It is clear, that while not human, chimpanzees do comprehend death and experience, in some form, the mourning and grief associated with it
Crows
Crows are fairly unique in their mourning and ritualistic presentation which is highlighted through their social nature where gatherings of crows act as a form of funeral for the deceased.When a crow finds the corpse of one of its murder, they tend to alert others through an alarm like song that lets others in the area know. Crows will not touch the corpse but instead, will surround it and caw and lean in to inspect the body. Interestingly, unlike humans, crows do not differentiate between those specifically in their murder, although some observations suggest they can. Instead, they hold “crow funerals” for any of the dead of their species that they come across. According to some researchers, these funerals can even act as a form of teaching that socializes other crows into the patterns and rites surrounding the dead. While no specific burial practices have been observed, crows are a good example of animals who comprehend and process death.
Elephants
Elephants are perhaps the best-known examples of animals that mourn and have associated rituals. These mighty creatures have been observed experiencing significant behavioral changes after the death of one of their own. Elephants can be somewhat more unpredictable, however in their responses. But they do have some commonly seen mourning practices and rituals. For example, large groups of elephants will visit the corpse of the deceased elephant due to their highly social nature creating a funeral of sorts. Elephants, like chimpanzees, build significant bonds that can last through their entire lifetime. One way elephants display further responses and mourning rituals is by surrounding the deceased elephant and trying to awaken it while vocalizing and protecting the remains. Elephants have also been known to try and help others near death to stand up on their own and to stay with them as they approach their end. Some elephants, particularly those who have experienced the loss of their young, have even stayed with the corpse while it is eaten by scavenger animals such as hyenas.
Dolphins and Whales
Dolphins have been known to share different similarities to humans and have interacted quite heavily with us. While whales and dolphins are different creatures, they have some similar forms of mourning rituals associated with dealing with the dead. One reason for the similarity to human rituals exists in the fact that both dolphins and whales have large brains relative to body size! Some differences in the way in which these animals attend to their dead exist based on their sex which will determine which member of the pod will attend to the dead and dying. It is said that both dolphins and whales have both physical responses to death through mourning and an emotional grief. Researchers have observed both dolphins and whales continuing to maintain close contact with deceased pod members as a means of watching over them. Often times, these pods will work together to keep the corpse afloat and communicate through varied forms of communication, namely clicking and whistling, that audibly differs to the vocality used in relation to the living members of the pod. These changes reflect the emotional distress present upon the death of a pod member and affirm that grief is not a solely an innately human sentiment. The babies of mother dolphins and whales who have died are often supported by the wider pod which emphasizes a distinct sense of connection and understanding regarding death, kinship and the maintenance of social bonds and protection of the weak.
