Rastafarian Funeral Traditions in the UK

Rastafari is a spiritual and cultural movement that emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s, with a significant UK community particularly in cities such as London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Manchester. Rastafari is a diverse movement without a single church structure or hierarchy — practices and beliefs vary between mansions (branches of the movement, such as the Nyahbinghi, Bobo Ashanti, and Twelve Tribes of Israel) and between individual families. When arranging a Rastafarian funeral in the UK, the family’s own understanding of the deceased’s beliefs should always be the guide.

The Rastafari View of Death: Transition

Central to Rastafari theology is the belief that death is not an ending but a transition. The spirit or soul continues its journey under the guidance of Jah — a name for God associated in Rastafari with Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia, regarded as the returned Messiah.

Rastafari often avoid the word “death” itself. The departed is described as having “made a transition,” “gone to Jah,” or “returned.” This linguistic choice reflects a genuine theological position: the spirit is understood to continue, and mourning in excess of what is appropriate is therefore out of keeping with the faith. Funerals are often occasions of both remembrance and celebration of the person’s life and spirit.

Some Rastafari, particularly those in the Nyahbinghi mansion, hold that the righteous will experience physical immortality on earth — a doctrine known as “Live Up” or overstanding of mortality. The death of a brother or sister in faith therefore carries complex theological resonance within these communities.

Burial and the Return to the Earth

Burial is the strong preference in Rastafari. The reasoning is deeply rooted in the Ital principle — the concept of living in harmony with nature, eating naturally, and treating the body with respect. Just as Rastafari avoid processed or artificial foods, they understand the body after death as something that should return naturally to the earth from which it came.

Cremation is generally inconsistent with this worldview, though Rastafari is not a monolithic faith and individual and family beliefs may vary. Where burial is the preference, some Rastafari families choose:

• Natural burial grounds — where the body is buried without embalming, in a biodegradable coffin or shroud, allowing genuine return to the earth.
• Conventional cemetery burial with natural or simple materials.
• Repatriation of the body to Jamaica or Ethiopia (covered in more detail below).

Elements of a Rastafarian Funeral

A Rastafarian funeral in the UK is typically a community occasion. Common elements include:

• Music: Reggae music — particularly roots reggae with spiritual and Rasta themes — is almost always present. Nyahbinghi drumming (using bass, funde, and repeater drums) may be used at more traditional ceremonies. Psalms from the King James Bible may also be chanted. The music reflects praise of Jah and celebration of the life.
• Scripture: Readings from the King James Bible are common. Rastafari hold the KJV as the authoritative English text. The Psalms are particularly favoured — Psalm 23 and Psalm 46 are often read.
• Ital food: The reception or gathering after the funeral typically features Ital food — natural, often vegetarian or vegan, prepared without artificial additives or preservatives. Sharing food is an important part of the communal gathering.
• Natural materials: Where possible, the coffin and burial materials should be natural — wood, natural fabrics, without synthetic materials or chemicals.
• Community gathering: The funeral is a community event. Friends, brethren, and sistren gather to pay their respects, share memories, and support the bereaved family.

Dress and Colour at Rastafarian Funerals

Dress at Rastafarian funerals reflects the faith’s values and identity. The Rastafari colours — red, gold (or yellow), and green — are often worn as a mark of respect and identification with the faith, rather than the conventional black mourning dress of Western tradition.

White may also be worn by some Rastafari as a symbol of purity. Conventional all-black mourning attire is generally avoided or supplemented with Rastafari colours. Dreadlocks — a sacred and significant aspect of Rastafari identity — are worn with pride, and the wearing of head coverings (tams or turbans in the red, gold, and green) is common.

Non-Rastafari guests are not expected to wear these colours, but dressing respectfully and not in a way that disrespects the occasion is important. If in doubt, ask a family member for guidance.

Repatriation to Jamaica or Ethiopia

Repatriation — the return to Africa — is a foundational concept in Rastafari ideology. For many Rastafari, Ethiopia is Zion: the promised land to which the descendants of the enslaved African diaspora will return. Jamaica, as the birthplace of the movement, also holds deep cultural and spiritual significance.

Some Rastafari families in the UK choose to repatriate the body of a loved one to Jamaica or Ethiopia after death. This is a significant logistical undertaking:

• A funeral director experienced in international repatriation must be engaged — not all funeral directors offer this service.
• Consular documentation from the destination country is required, including a transit permit and burial documentation.
• Embalming is typically required by airlines and destination countries for international transport of human remains. This may be in tension with Rastafari preferences for natural preparation — discuss with the funeral director and family.
• A zinc-lined coffin or hermetically sealed casket is required for air transport.
• Costs for international repatriation from the UK typically range from £3,000 to £8,000 or more, depending on the destination and the airline.

Not all Rastafari families pursue repatriation — it is a deeply personal decision influenced by the deceased’s wishes, family ties, and financial capacity. For families in the UK with Jamaican roots who do not repatriate, some choose to bury in a local cemetery and hold a separate memorial service in Jamaica for family members who could not travel.