Why the Tuvaluans buried their dead in their homes

In Tuvalu, there is no common cemetery as seen in many other parts of the world. Instead, it is common for families to bury their loved ones on their own land or within the family compound. This tradition of burying the deceased close to home holds significant cultural and emotional importance, as it allows family members to remain connected to their ancestors and loved ones.

Here’s how the practice typically works in Tuvalu:

1. Burial at Home or Family Land: Most families bury their deceased on their own property, often in the front yard or a dedicated area within the family’s land. This proximity allows the family to continue honoring the deceased and to feel their presence in daily life. For Tuvaluans, keeping their loved ones close symbolizes respect, continuity, and connection across generations.

2. 

   Simple Graves: The graves are often simple, marked by stones, crosses, or plaques. Family members may decorate them with flowers, especially for anniversaries or special occasions. Some families place fences around the graves to keep them well-defined and to honor the space.

3. Influence of Land Ownership and Limited Space: Due to limited land and population spread across small islands, each family typically manages their own burial sites. However, the tradition of home burials helps to preserve available land and creates a practical solution in a place where resources and land area are limited.

   
   

   

   
   

4. Church Burial Grounds (Rare): While rare, some churches may have small burial grounds for those who do not have family land or prefer a more communal resting place, but these are uncommon. The majority of burials are still carried out on private family properties.

This practice reflects the Tuvaluan values of family unity, respect for ancestry, and a close connection to one’s land.

In celebrating the All Souls day in November 2, 2024, Fr. Eliseo Napiere, MSP, the Ecclesiastical Superior of Mission Sui Iuris of Funafuti, went to visit the houses of the Catholic congregation to bless the graves of their loved ones. This is to show respect to those catholic faithful who, in their generations, contributed to the growth of the Catholic Church on this island and had kept the faith. We offered prayers for the eternal repose of their souls.