Death-Related Experiences and Funerary Practices of the Hmong Refugee in the United States

Abstract

This article reviews the death-related experiences and concerns of Hmong refugees from Laos. Traditional funerary and burial practices of the Hmong and the barriers to maintaining these practices in the United States are discussed. To understand the losses suffered by the Hmong, parallels are drawn between their experiences and those of holocaust victims. Because of their immense losses, many older Hmong are experiencing severe mental health problems. For those professionals and service providers who work with the dying and grieving, it is essential that they be aware of the customs and values of the population with whom they are working.