By: Natasha Archary
There’s no other universal love language quite like food. When it comes to funerals, black culture frowns upon guests snubbing food offered.
On Kaya Drive with Sizwe Dhlomo the team wanted to know why people take offence when guests don’t eat at funerals?
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Mon 16:06:37 to 16:25:13 Kaya FM 95.9
For many black families, food is an important part of the grieving process. It is often used as a way to connect with the grieving families, expressing your sympathy and offering any help to the family.
Funeral etiquette advises guest to respect requests from the grieving family. When food is offered, consider it more than courtesy, it is a must.
Nothing can prepare you for a loss. Words fail to describe what the death of a loved one feels like. Often, when words fail to explain the guttural valleys of emotional vulnerability, food can be a balm.
It can offer solace and help families take their minds off their loss for a little while.
“The people who give you their food, give you their heart.” – Cesar Chavez
This quote describes why snubbing food at funerals is frowned upon. Think about it as disregarding the person you’re mourning. It’s got nothing to do with their surviving family members.
Instead it’s a chance to “break bread” with those who loved and cared for the deceased person as much as you did.
Culturally, food is a big part of many traditional and religious family occasions.
However, some members of the team felt it’s not that big a deal to turn down food at a funeral. If someone is fasting or has dietary restrictions, expecting them to partake of the meal provided is viewed as petty.
Another point is that people use funerals to benefit from the massive amount of food offered by taking food home.
Kaya Drive listeners share their views on snubbing food at funerals:
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Kaya Drive: Snubbing food at funerals is frowned upon Natasha
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Kaya Drive: Snubbing food at funerals is frowned upon Natasha
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play_arrow
Kaya Drive: Snubbing food at funerals is frowned upon Natasha
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play_arrow
Kaya Drive: Snubbing food at funerals is frowned upon Natasha
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play_arrow
Kaya Drive: Snubbing food at funerals is frowned upon Natasha


